Bracket manufacturers

[chumbucket]

Sea Drives don't pivot where a conventional outboard does (ie; at the base of the powerhead). They are mounted to a two piece bracket. One half is stationary and mounted to the transom. The other half that the motor is mounted to pivots off of the stationary half at a point that's right about at the top of the powerhead. That's how they were able to be mounted closer to the transom. If you put your hands together with the palms flat against each other, pivot your wrist of one hand away from the other keeping your finger tips together. ;)
I worked at the Boston Whaler factory years ago and they used many of those Sea Drives when they first became popular back in the early '80's. I'm quite familiar with them.

[CT_V-20]

What chumbucket said. I pulled out my OMC service manual this morning and chumbucket is spot on. The pivot point is way up on the top of the transom which enables the whole motor (and I have an "extra" long shaft) and a part of the bracket along with it to come up out of the water. Chumbucket, I've seen boats on Ebay where owners have put late model motors on Sea Drive brackets. I thought that wasn't possible, but seeing is believing. Have you seen anything similar?

[CT_V-20]

I just received the following email from Gil: "A single Gil bracket would cost $1075. They are available in white, off-white and black. You can order these directly from us at 800-486-0999. There is usually a 3-4 day lead time for shipping." Pretty efficient. Armstrong hasn't replied yet. I had also asked about certified installation shops in my area in the same email, but Gil did not respond to that.

[chumbucket]

CT, I actually helped someone do that conversion. Sea Drives are basically a Johnson/Evinrude Motor so it can be done. The down side? The mounting bracket along with tilt and trim units are obsolete through OMC. This doesn't mean there aren't parts to be had out there. The hardest parts to locate are the trim and tilt cylinders. The motor we converted, I ended up using a Merc trim cylinder that happened to be the same length and diameter. I just had to shave a bit off one of the rod ends to fit between the yoke. There are also a couple of companies selling Reman Sea Drive powerheads, but I'm sure if you go through that much trouble you'll want to go with more HP.

[CT_V-20]

Gotcha. My motor still runs fine, I'm just ready to up the oomph from 112hp or so to 150-200. Does one sea drive bracket fit all size outboards or were there different brackets for the V6s than for the V4? Thanks.

[chumbucket]

They made different brackets through the years they were produced, but I think that was more of an evolutionary thing rather than size ratings. I may be wrong so don't quote me on that one. One of the differences might have been the hydraulic steering that was available. Those were sized according to HP ranges.

HEY MAKO JOE, IM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SAME CONVERSION THAT YOU DID.
DOES YOUR BOAT PORPOUS AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT TABS. STAINLESS MARINE SAYS THE BOAT WILL PORPOUS WITH A 28" setback. what do you think ??
vic

[CT_V-20]

Good stuff chumbucket. Thanks for the info. I'll post a $ if I get a quote from Armstrong as it seems lots of people are asking questions about brackets. Hopefully it will be useful to others. I'm still interested in how long macojoe's Yamaha is, I went down in the wind and snow this morning to look at my Sea Drive and the motor box is at least 18" long (shrink wrap made it hard to be precise).

[macojoe]

If you trim it right you will not porpose.

But that said I like to open it up on a flat day!! So I will go WOT and trim for the best speed!! And if I get a small wave acation or what ever it will porpose!!
But all you have to do is trim down a hair and it goes away!!

I have been thinking about tabs for some time?? But I just learned all about triming last season ( I am slow) and that has helped alot!! I am going to give it this season with my new found trim skills and go from there.
But from the little I did this year, I don't think I will need them ??

[macojoe]

Ok CT V 20, I just went outside, with the motor down I am 24" away from the bracket and the nracket is 28" That is a total of 4' 4" to make my boat 24' 10 total length.