20 ft resto. Bracket?

[JDM36]

Hey guys just wondering if anyone knows of a website to order a decent outboard bracket for the back of my 20ft seacraft. Was originally an I/o but we closed in the hole for a bracket. Tried contacting some local guys about it but they were to busy. Looking to get this boat in the water in the next few weeks!

[Capt Chuck]

Hermco

Link ----------> http://www.hermco.com/

[Bushwacker]

Welcome aboard!

Don builds a great bracket with the most flotation of any production bracket, which is very important on a 20 if you want it to self bail at the dock, plus it was designed by Bill Potter specifically for a SeaCraft!

Suggest you check out my post on "Pro's & Con's of brackets" before you get to far into it! Minimizing motor weight and setback are very important! Just going from an I/O to an outboard will move your CG aft. Adding a bracket moves it even further!

[JDM36]

A few people recommended aluminum with the flotation to help support the weight of the 140 four stroke. Anyone know what the availability is like?

[DonV]

Seems to me if Don's brackets will hold 300 hp outboards it will hold a little 'ol 140 hp.

[flyingfrizzle]

Originally Posted by JDM36

A few people recommended aluminum with the flotation to help support the weight of the 140 four stroke. Anyone know what the availability is like?

Fiberglass is by far better, Aluminum like an Armstrong with a floatation chamber will work but you will have less maintenance with fiberglass, The hermco brackets yield more flotation volume than any other bracket out there.

[JohnC]

Originally Posted by JDM36

Hey guys just wondering if anyone knows of a website to order a decent outboard bracket for the back of my 20ft seacraft. Was originally an I/o but we closed in the hole for a bracket. Tried contacting some local guys about it but they were to busy. Looking to get this boat in the water in the next few weeks!

You are asking a question that has been asked here before. You will get a lot of good information on this forum from people who have done what you are wanting to do and have first-hand experience with the results. Some have already recommended a Hermco bracket and if you do a search you will see that weight, floatation and center of gravity is what is mostly discussed. If this thread keeps going you will hear more of this; if it doesn’t then do a search of older threads. This is because many people have already gone through the problem/solution process with adding a bracket to a 20’ hull and are willing to share their experience.
Hermco has been recommended because he makes brackets that are 1) fiberglass = low/no maintenance for the life of the boat 2) lightweight 3) provide lots of floatation and 4) designed by Bill Potter specifically for these boats. Even though your motor of choice is relatively light it is over 100 lbs heavier than the heaviest outboard available when these boats were designed. In addition to the motor, you are adding the weight of the bracket. Flotation matters! They are not the cheapest bracket available but they cover all of the variables (maintenance, weight, flotation, proper design) as well or better than any other product on the market. Your money, your call.
It looks like your motor of choice is a good one. There are people on this forum with the Suzuki DF140 that seem very happy – reliable, strong and not too heavy. If you search you will see performance information so that you know what you can expect.
Be sure to let us know how everything goes (with pics).

[DonV]

Well said John!