To test how the boat will ride with a heavier motor i am strapping a 30gallon livewell onto the bracket. If it rides good with then it will stay there. More room in the boat. As far as bracket height, my motor mount is five inches taller than the top of the bracket. I was thinking that running the edhes of the bracket flush with the strakes would help with any porposing issues. Ridge do you have any issues if you dont use tabs?

30 gal tank is ok for the test but its not going to show right, cause it will not fix the center yof gravity that is going to change when weight gets moved further back past transom.

Hmmmm. MJ that may be a good thing. My Mercury 200 is a 2.5L with a 25" shaft approx 395lbs.

I thought it was 1" up for every 12" back??? If that is not the case then i need to go back to the drawing board. One reason for trying to keep my bracket low is I am planning to install a port side transom door. I dont want to be trying to haul a tourney winning shark up 12" to get it over the bracket platform. Might not do the full width platform across the transom. I agree with Ridge 100% on the Armstrong design, they lose some valuable floatation with the sharp angle. How much of a clean break do i need from the strakes to the bottom of the bracket? Or can i get by with angling the bottom of the bracket just a tad, I would not lose as much floatation, but should still keep the bracket out of the water when running.

Ridge later on down the road i may go to a bigger motor. One reason for such a big and beefy bracket. I am also on the lookout for trim tabs, if i have the room to mount them.

Just turn it into a 23'....

http://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-...-4-stroke.html

Jason do you get on THT (the hull truth)? theres a guy on there building a Dusky he is very good with brackets and has actually started building his own for sale. His screen name is EDWARDPIC look him up he knows his stuff about bracket design, he could answer some design questions for ya.

No Kracker, i don't get on THT alot. Heck i dont even have username on there. CTerrebonne it will be a 23 after my bracket. :beer: 25 if you count the motor. 26 if you count the bow pulpit.

Just a thought, if i take pics thru out the build and document everything is it possible to get an inspection and possibly raise the hp and capacity ratings? The bracket will be a part of the hull not an add on? What do yall think? Or am i wasting time with an inspection?

Softy inspection is great to have, and they will leave you alone on the water! But they are not going to change the original capacity plate, don't waste your time.

I agree with MJ on capacity plate, that isn't going to change. Which is why I don't have one... OOOps!

Ridge i think mine is about to fall off. On a side note, a V20 has less capacity than an 18 Fisherman. How the heck is that possible.