Question for all you experts

[89SeaCraft20cc]

I've been looking at some of the outboard brackets out there on the market and I like a lot of the features and advantages.

However, I live in an area where considerable amounts of trailering for long distances are a usually neccesity.

What are the general thoughts on using a bracket/platform on a boat that gets trailered a lot?

Thanks

[flash]

my thoughts are that a bracket is an acting transom. It better be as strong as the actual transom. Most guys lose motors or snap transoms because they do not secure their motor down when trailering. The proper way to trailer an outboard is to flip the tilt lock and set the motor on it. After that you should run a strap from one transom eye over the lower unit and to the other transom eye. This prevents the motor from bouncing with that snapping action. Hope that helps.

[Captn C]

I agree with flash...until he gets to the trailering part. I know for a fact that trailering a boat puts less strain on the transom than actually running the boat. My boat has twin engines and I trailer with the engines almost down. I kick them up just enough so that if something is kicked up off the highway it won't hit the lower unit.

Any way....the weak a$$ repairs done on my transom by Tracker Marine's repair shop cracked while the boat was being trailered back to Houston from Tenneesse. It cracked even more when I ran the boat on fairly flat water. Then I took it on a sea trial in 6' seas and it busted wide open then.

So IMO trailering puts way less strain on the transom than running the boat in real working conditions. My boat is an offshore boat....so it should be able to handle the seas we were in without any damage.

I feel brackets are the way to go. If you have a solid and sound transom, go for it. In a few years when I repower I plan to put one on my 25 and do away with the euro transom so it will be a true 25' boat. That should be a fun project! REALLY I can't wait!

[flash]

I agree with captain c about everything. I didn't even think of the stress while running the boat. I have just always been a little overly cautious as far as trailering goes. I have done many trips from RI to Florida and have not had a problem yet. I don't think you will have a problem either way you go, but thumbs up as far as the bracket decision goes.

[afernand]

Would you have suggestions on how to re-inforce the transom on the inside so that it can take the weight of a new bracket and outboard motor? (I am re-powering an old hull that had inboard engine). Should there be a brace of some kind, where the transom meets the deck and hull? Will carbon fibers (Kevlar?) help?. - Thanks for your comments, aaf