Strick, Don:Im going to build my own bracket, help

[jaw1970]

I've been inspired by Strick and Don's (Hermco) as well as others work and have decided to build my own motor bracket with a combination of marine grade plywood, foam, fiberglass, and stainless. I have confidence in my woodworking and fiberglassing skills, but need help on dimensions. Any help would be greatly appreciated. The boat is a 24' Searay, and I have two 225hp Mercury's to mount.

[hermco]

You should not use any plywood or stainless in your bracket.

[jaw1970]

no, plywood or stainless...why, strength, weight,
any advice is appreciated

[Bigshrimpin]

[Bigshrimpin]

The inside of the bracket is always damp. There is no ventilation at all. Plywood will eventually aborb water, so do not rely on it's structural properties (and cheap out with a few layers of glass) to support twin v6 outboards. I think this is what hermco is saying. Not to sway your decision, but it's a LOT of work to build one of these. You could easily get a part-time job at walmart and have $2500 for hermco's bracket . . . . well before you complete this project. Not to mention that you'll have a superior product in the end. Only do it b/c you want the satisfaction of building one yourself . . . it's a great learning experience, but you'll be upside down even if value your time below minimum wage.

[hermco]

No plywood because it will rot, no stainless because I do not know where it would be required. There is also the weight issue. The less it weighs the more floatation you will get. A high density poly core for the transom would be the best and a 4-6 lb. density core for the undersides of the deck would work.

[jaw1970]

Jobs are hard to come by these days, even at Wal Mart I imagine. Seriously though, thank you for the advise, but I really enjoy this kind of work. It looks like you used plywood in yours. Did you build a plywood "box" and cover it with layers of glass or did you build it in a mold/

[jaw1970]

No plywood because it will rot, no stainless because I do not know where it would be required. There is also the weight issue. The less it weighs the more floatation you will get. A high density poly core for the transom would be the best and a 4-6 lb. density core for the undersides of the deck would work.

thanks Don, when you say for the transom, are you talking about the transom of the bracket or at the transom of the boat? How thick would you go for the sides, bottom and front (end bolted to transom of boat)?

[hermco]

Unfortunately I cannot help you with the specifics of building a bracket due to the fact that I am in the business of building and selling fiberglass outboard brackets. There are several guys on this forum who have built their own that you can check out. I do think that if you are going to go thru the effort of designing,making a mold, and building your own you would be well served to use poly cores instead of plywood. The extra cost will be well worth it down the line.

[jaw1970]

Thank you Don, I appreciate the advise you gave me and understand the your position. I've been reading alot of your post and have have checked out your great website. Your a true gentleman and your work looks outstanding.
John