Rebuild for 20' center console 72 Potter Hull

[flatoutcharters]

I'm rebuilding the Transom and converting to a full transom (no motor well cut). I think I'm going to go with a porta-bracket with a 12" set back. I'm going to beef up the transom to hold a mercury 200 verado or an ETEC 225ho. Seastar Hydraulic steering. I'm also redoing the original center console (plugging old holes and such)along with adding a custom stand up bait well in the back between left and right access hatches where the old motor well is. The rest of the boat seems to be in rock solid condition, my dad was the original owner and the boat has been passed to me. I'm 44 and started fishing out of it since I was 5. Any input, guidance, ideas or suggestions are welcome. Thanks

[Blue_Heron]

I think you should be very careful about weight distribution. Both of those engine options weigh over 500lbs. If you hang one out back on a bracket and then put a baitwell in the back, I suspect you're gonna be real tail heavy unless you have a very large fishin' buddy who's willing to ride up front on the casting deck when you get into a heavy sea.

There's lots of good info in this forum if you search on "bracket". And there are lots of guys who've done it and can point you in the right direction. You're in the right place if you want to investigate your options thoroughly before you commit.

Dave

[Fr. Frank]

If you're going to one of those motors, you REALLY need a flotation bracket, not a portabracket. Ask Don Herman (Hermco) about the dynamics involved.

[Bushwacker]

What you are proposing will be a very poor handling boat that won't plane below about 20 mph, won't be self-bailing, and won't ride anywhere near as well as it was designed to! A CC is already more stern heavy than my Seafari, and I had to do a lot to get my rig balanced right with a ~420 lb E-Tec 150. That hull was designed for the I-6 Merc weighing less than 300 lbs. I would definitely NOT recommend a motor any heavier than what I have! It'll run almost 50 mph with a light load with that motor, so I don't see the need for more power than that. However if you want to race, they also get 175 & 200 hp out of the 60 degree V-6 block with the same weight as the 150, although I suspect they trade mid-range torque for top end HP in the 200.

Remember the VDH hull is much more efficient than the average run-of-the-mill deep V, so just because they sell a lot of 20' Makos's, Whalers, and whatever with 200+HP motors doesn't mean that's the right motor for a SeaCraft. These hulls typically have less beam than modern boats designed for heavy 4-stroke motors, which is one reason they ride so much better, but they're also quite a bit more sensitive to weight and CG location.

[Spidercrab]

mr reel tite
u better lisen to da boys they no how to rig em . i here dem porta brackits suck.

if u put big weight on the ass end u beter puts a big ass on the bow lik my cuzin jesse

sam

[DonV]

Holy poop Batman!!! I'm not sure Mr. "Reel Tite" wants to take your cuzin (speaking of not being real tight) on his boat when he's done. If she was to move to the rear (speaking of rear) of the boat it might go under. Also....He would need to be very careful with her on the bow because of visibility issues.

[workinpr0gress]

She would snap the bow off.

[KenB]

SPIDER - I didn't realize that hermco was your couzin, or that he was doing motorcycle brackets these days.