1974 20 Ft CC SF transom

[fly4navy]

Just curious,

Has everyone who has repowered with a 4 stroke engine at 115 h.p. or above, gone ahead and raised the transom on their boat?
I have a new (to me) original 1974 20 ft. CC SF and am having installed a 115 h.p. E-TEC this week.
I just don't see how the low transom height of my vintage year Seacraft can handle the weight of a 4 stroke (particularly 140 h.p. and above) without really getting the waterline close to the top. I am not planing on raising my transom unless I run into a structural need to replace it.
Has this created an operational or safety issue for anyone? I assume the boat was designed the way it was, with this issue having been considered.

Thanks for any input.

Geoff

[Sceptre20]

I had a Yamaha F100 four stroke on my 20' Sceptre with the 20" transom and never had any issue with waqter over the transom but I got one of Hermco's splashwells just in case,and the f100 is a fairly light four stroke

[NoBones]

Plain and simple....
25 inch motors had not been invented yet in 74....

[hugo]

the reason most of us raise the transom should be self explanitory. i had mine originaly at 25 inches and still didnt like water being so close to coming in the splash well. when my transom failed i was happy to close it in and add a bracket, now its a joy to run around in about any conditions and have peice of mind! i would personaly would not have a 20 with at least a 25 inch transom. remember that these boats were desighned originaly with motors in the 300lbe range and the newer ones with newer power had 25 inch transoms from factory.

[mrobertson]

115 2 smoker on a 25" transom has never caused me concern. However, i'm always lightly loaded, no T-Top, and a new deck. I fish frequently in choppy waters of the chesapeake bay

[fly4navy]

So MRobertson....did you raise your transom to a 25? Had you had a problem/ or concern with it at 20??

Thanks!

Originally Posted by mrobertson

115 2 smoker on a 25" transom has never caused me concern. However, i'm always lightly loaded, no T-Top, and a new deck. I fish frequently in choppy waters of the chesapeake bay

[caper]

I have a 2003 2 stroke Johnson 175 on my 1975 20 SF amd have no real concerns about the 20" transom. Moved oil tank and batteries under the console. Boat in Cape Cod Bay and off Marathon in the Keys - never been a problem. Present waterline is very close to original and through deck scuppers work well.

[fly4navy]

Thanks Caper,


Now thats a useful response!! It has been suggested (by my marina) that 100+ lbs of deadweight in forward storage would/ could be beneficial.

I'm out of Orleans but will be going out of Wellfleet Harbor on occasion this summer

Originally Posted by caper

I have a 2003 2 stroke Johnson 175 on my 1975 20 SF amd have no real concerns about the 20" transom. Moved oil tank and batteries under the console. Boat in Cape Cod Bay and off Marathon in the Keys - never been a problem. Present waterline is very close to original and through deck scuppers work well.

[eggsuckindog]

Move the batts up under the console somewhere and you should be fine, my merc is 415 and no trouble. The previous owner put some 4/5" starboard splash guards on each side ofthe motor and I think they help too

The oil tank can go starboard where the battery usually was, I don't think a 115 being a V4 is that heavy?

[fly4navy]

Thanks.....batts are already under the console and the oil reservoir will go where the batt used to be. Could move that forward also but probably not going to get much in return for that effort.

Appreciate the response!!!!!!