23 Seacraft with hermco bracket

[Skeeter15]

Hello, I have a performance question about a 23 Seacraft (early 80's) with closed transom, twin hermco flotation bracket, and twin Suzuki 140 four strokes. At rest the boat is fine and the bracket provides necessary flotation so it does not sit too low in the back. Bottom of bracket is about 3-4 inches above running surface of the hull so it does not extend the running surface of the hull.

Can anyone attest to how the boat will perform on plane while offshore (Gulf of Mexico -Texas coast). Most of the time I am restricted to slow speeds to avoid going airborn. My concern is that it will ride bow high at low speeds and increase my minimum planing speed. I want to avoid having to constantly adjust throttles trying to keep boat on plane and not go airborn. I am hoping the boat will ride on plane at 18 MPH or less (without tabs). I am probably asking for the impossible. Does anyone have experience with this setup offshore? Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thank you.

[OSEAD23]

I had a 23 with twin 140 suzukis at one time and while it sat heavy in the stern at rest once i was moving it ran pretty flat and i didnt have any issues with it, its ride or slower speed planing. I worried about it at rest as it was low especially with a few guys in the stern but i didnt have a flotation bracket like you and never a concern running. BTW those are the perfect power in my opinion on the boat. super efficient fast reliable and easy to work on.

It was a great set up. enjoy!

Jim

[Skeeter15]

Thanks Jim. I hope to become a member of the Seacraft community soon.

[kmoose]

Originally Posted by Skeeter15

Thanks Jim. I hope to become a member of the Seacraft community soon.

Your a member now! I think the most important step you can take toward owning a SeaCraft is starting here first. Welcome aboard!

[Briguy]

Does the bracket have a V in it? I think tabs help a lot offshore especially on a swell.
They also work to minimize roll while on drift. All upside, no downside.

Props play a huge part of whether a boat rides bow high or not. I had twin 115's on a bracket. 18 mph is easy to achieve without using tabs but with tabs full down , I could plane at 14kts and not fall off. I could slog through all but the nastiest stuff at 18-20 mph.
(Without even spilling a drop of coffee)

[BA17]

I have a 194 23 with a hermco bracket and twin f150 yamahas. It does great offshore. I have the QL tabs and if its really rough will run them down. I have had it 80 miles in the gulf and 85 miles off the east coast. Planning speed is pretty low with these brackets.

[Skeeter15]

I appreciate the feedback. Concerned because most seem to be going with a big single 250-300. I want twins for peace of mind offshore. I fish 25-50 miles from land.

Briguy- yes... The bracket has a V in it. The flotation chamber is fairly wide bracket to accommodate twins. The v follows the angle of the deadrise about 3 inches up from bottom of boat. Props are suzuki 3 blade stainless.