Bracket Installed!
 

Finally, got some cousins to help install the bracket. Created a template out of 1/2 ply and got the bracket installed.

Haven't done the filling of the gaps like MJ did yet.

We had some discussion with an engineer cousing of mine which claims that after reviewing the bracket, the center section is held by 12 bolts and 5/8" aluminum on the bracket. Hence he believes that the side sections which are only 1/4 or so aluminum are not there for structural strenght. He thinks it's better to not drill any more holes in the transom and leave the gap. At most if I fill the gap with PT wood, to not put through bolts.

Any comments are accepted. I am leaning to think it should be ok without filling in the gap considering that most brackets hold the motor with just the center section. Additionally, i'm not going to pull anyting with the side pieces. At most it will have 200 lbs. on it or so when someone is getting in or out.

One thing which I didn't have readily available but we are looking to get a hold of is a few pieces of aluminum to put under the bolts on the inside to distribute the force.

Nice install, but i would change the inside washers to the biggest i could find(2" round is the best, a 1/4" aluminum plate to cover all the holes with 1" additional all around is the ultimate). As far as the sides, you should put at least one bolt on each end usind a piece of PVC pipe as spacer and washers at both ends of the PVC pipe and inside the hull.

DEFINATELY get you some 2"X2" aluminum squares and some large stainless flatwashers for the mounting bolts on the inside. Thos will pull the transom in some over time and will require retightening like that. Fiberglass compress's some if you don't spread the load out evenly. And as for the sides, you don't need them through bolted for strength of the bgracket. You need them bolted through for strength of the platforms. Think about how much stress is on them with a 200LB person up there, then multiply it times 3 to simulate what a person on it with the boat rocking would do to it.

Where can I get those aluminum squares? Ideally with the hole in them.

Stainless Marine out of Miami has nice aluminum backing plates that have two holes (so they catch two bolts). I agree it needs some backing plates I am not sure about hole spacing on their aluminum plates. Looking good. You have a delimma there on the filler piece. I elected to go with a stand alone ladder and save the trouble of the swim platform to hull mating issue. I am curious now...:clap:

Agreed, definetly do the large stainless washers at least on the inside. Any stock you can up and drill yourself(stainless or aluminum) would be best with the washers. Also fill the gap with your preference and bolt the sides also.
the forces on that transom especially under way with that 500lb engine bouncing in the water is tremendous and I think you may be underestimating it.

I am in agreement with the guys here, If you cannot locate any aluminium bars you can consider using a 3/4 plywood to fill in the entire area resin it to the inside skin and use longer bolts with washers, all the stress and weight is condense to this inside skin pressing outwards, it will not hurt to add the ply, If i remember correctly every 3/4 ply with mat and resin on it gives you 1500 lbs of support in a 3'x3' square ?

See the pic for what I did on the dually. Not pretty, but that bracket was on there nice and solid and the aluminum helped distribute the stress. The aluminum was just some scrap Kamikaze had laying around and gave to me. I just cut it to size and drilled holes where needed.

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f3...l/100_1287.jpg

And a great job you did byg... If my big ol self can stand on it with the engine too its solid! Man i love brackets...

Like every one else says put some backing washers on there!!

your right that the sides do not hold much, but after getting your fishing line and stuff caught in that gap you will want to fil with something!!

This is the inside of my transom, 3x 1/2 steel welded and drilled the same as the bracket. coated with some zinc paint

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...icture_016.jpg