Potter Outboard Bracket

hermco · #1 04-10-2002, 06:21 PM

F.Y.I. Bill Potter manufactures a fiberglass outboard bracket and transom closing system.I have installed his bracket on both of his personal 20'Seacrafts.I learned about the bracket and met Mr. Potter when I had a customer bring me a 23' Seacraft to rebuild and he asked me to install the system.It is a clever design and in my opinion an excellent product much like the boats he built in the "70s".

Hammer · #2 04-10-2002, 06:54 PM

DH,
I'm sure we would all like to see pictures!

hermco · #3 04-10-2002, 07:19 PM

I made a page on my website for Mr. Potter's brackets and his new pilothouse.The guy is unstoppable one of those that will never stop creating,inventing,redesigning till he drops.He was here all day today building a floating dock!You can see the pics by going to the links and clicking on HermCo. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Scott · #4 04-10-2002, 10:07 PM

DH
I have received your brochure and the bracket looks real nice. Was wondering how hard that would be for the average guy to put that bracket on the transom...or is that not recommended? Have you had any problems with that bracket since its made out of Fiberglass….crazing/cracking etc…

Scott

hermco · #5 04-11-2002, 06:18 PM

Scott,
The bracket is easily installed by anyone who is used to doing ther own boat repairs and is good working with baisic hand tools.It comes with full instructions and mounting hardware.The transom closing system is the thing that impresses me.Bolt on the bracket and your transom is closed.Very cool!No fiberglass or paint work involved.If you go with an aluminum bracket it will begin to corrode someday and you still have to fill in the transom and it will cost $$$$$!He has been mfg. them for 8 years and has not had any problems.I have installed about 10 in the last 2 years including on his own two 20's several Makos,Seacraft 23's,an Ocean Master etc. and have had no negative results.

Scott · #6 04-12-2002, 01:43 AM

DH

Thank you for the info...I would guess the biggest hassle is raising the bracket,lining it up and getting those first couple of bolts in.

In looking at the literature there are a lot of interesting features in Mr. Potters bracket….I really like the idea that the guy who designed and built these boats engineered this bracket…as if they were built for SeaCrafts. (not to say it couldn’t be used elsewhere)

I like the fact that the floatation chamber extends all the way aft… following the same plane as the hull of the boat instead of taking that slope upward. I also like the fact that the chamber is sealed. The results of the floatation/buoyancy vs other brackets is also a plus…I don’t know other buoyancy numbers from other brackets …but that’s a good selling point….420 lbs of buoyancy

I did not see it in the literature and may have overlooked it .... what does model #1530 weigh?
Typically on the 23 CC with a 25” shaft motor and at rest….. how high above the water line is the swim platform?

It looks like the bulkhead that closes the transom notch is integral to the bracket…if in the future the transom were to be rebuilt with a full covering board… could that bulkhead be removed to utilize just the bracket??? I would assume that is a chore to get one of these things off the transom once installed.

Your right about closing in the transom and the cost of it...the unfortunate thing is I would still need to do a lot of fiberglass work to get that splash well out of there [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] which would be my primary reason, besides closing the back up for safety, for installing the bracket…. the gain of cockpit space..

Sorry for the long post … but the more I look at this bracket the more I like it [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Thanks in advance

Scott

hermco · #7 04-12-2002, 09:22 AM

Scott,
You can't see it in the pics but the bracket has a lip built in to the closing bulkhead that indexes the bracket.You simply set it on top of the existing transom ,clamp it at the top then mark your holes to drill and mount it.I install them myself with no help.I would say the single bracket weighs less than 100 lbs. I don't know the exact weight but I can move/carry it myself.As far as removing a bracket after installation I would hate to have to do it because you install with 3M 5200 adhesive sealant.The fiberglass repairs involved in removing the splash well and gaining the deck space are much less costly than filling the entire transom etc and you would have to cover the top of the transom with something.The Seamark system comes with a Starboard plastic cover panel to finish the top of the transom and has an optional transom door kit that is easy to install as well.If you price out a similar aluminum bracket with full dive platforms and the transom fill and top cover you will find that the Seamark system is comparable in price and will never corrode.I have some pics in my camera of the bracket and bulkhead panel alone that I will put on the Seamark page today that will make it easier to understand how the system works.

hermco · #8 04-12-2002, 09:46 AM

Scott,
Sorry I did'nt address the platform heighth.At rest the bottom of the single bracket on a 23" Seacraft open fish with a 225 merc platform is about 1" above the water.As you see in the info you can get the bracket with the transom closing system or without (full transom unit).If you decide to fill/glass/finish the transom the Potter bracket still has the advantages of buoyancy and the non corrosive properties of fiberglass. [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

[ April 12, 2002, 08:49 AM: Message edited by: HermCo ]

Scott · #9 04-12-2002, 12:42 PM

DH
Your wrong!!

Quote.....

"If you price out a similar aluminum bracket with full dive platforms and the transom fill and top cover you will find that the Seamark system is comparable in price and will never corrode."

If the price in the brochure is still current (you sent it to me a couple weeks ago)....

YOUR A LOT LESS!!!!! and I mean a lot... [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] sorry didn’t mean to scare you!!
I know .. I'm going to pay for that ...the bracket's going to cost me more now because of that [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

I've received some quotes to do the work on the transom and covering boards...(mind you the boat looks nicer than a new one) .. but I'm talking 6-8,000 to do the destruction and reconstruction of the well, deck and transom to get a bracket on the boat...Like Steve said in some post things seem to be a lot more inexpensive down south...

I may need to get on the phone to discuss this with you further.... now your really stirring my interest!!!!

Thanks again will be looking for the new pictures....
Scott

hermco · #10 04-12-2002, 02:34 PM

Scott,
The pics of the bracket system are at the bottom of the Seamark page (click to enlarge pics).
http://www.hermco.net/seamark.htm
I think they help show how it works,let me know if you need me to E-Mail you some of better quality or you need any further info from myself or Mr. Potter. [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]