1973 23' CC question about I/O to Outboard issue.

[CaptScottNC]

This is actually not my first post now....but my second. Wasn't sure which area this would be most appropriate... Sorry for the repeat of those that saw it in the other category.

First time post here and would like to say this is an amazing board. Great work and discussion guys and gals! I'm a guide down here in NC looking to move into the Sea Craft ownership club. Just hear such good things about these boats. Hoping to put a deal together on this boat. If you have any questions email me at [email protected] and I can steer you to the photos of the boat add and you can tell me more what you think.

I'm looking into purchasing a 23'CC I/O that has been converted to an outboard with a bracket. Glass was reinforced in transom and an aluminum plate was added inside where the bolt washers should spread out the strain. Looks pretty good from what I'm seeing but my question deals with adding a 4-stroke one day and deck draining. FYI, this boat has the drains straight down out the hull. Batteries are currently behind the old engine hatch but I could move them under the console.

The bracket is not a real deep one but it appears to be one of the stainless brackets white painted that dont' have a lot of floatation or a swim platform. Correct me if I'm wrong but with it being an I/O convert it would have been set up to float with a great deal of weight in the stern correct? Considering the weight of the engine right at the transom and the I/O would it be much different with a 4-stroke outboard on a short bracket? It currently has a 1997 Evinrude Ocean Pro 2-stroke with about 250 hours on it.

Does anyone know the weight of that engine and the kind of fuel efficiency I can expect with that set up? I am concerned putting another 80 lbs or so on the bracket when thinking of drainage and stress on the transom. Would like to hear some thoughts good or bad on them. I have to trust the guys did a good job when reinforcing the transom and sealing up the I/O. I'm hoping the core was in good shape if they went through all the trouble a couple years ago to do this work. HOping they wouldn't just put a band aid fix when doing that much work on the back end. Thanks for all responses.

Scott
--
Capt Scott Crocker
Shackleford Charters
Light and Fly Tackle Guide Service
Atlantic Beach, North Carolina
252-725-5941

[Scott]

Welcome Capt Scott

I cant say for sure but I have seen the under deck configuration of an I/O 23 …As I recall I cant say that there is anything that would make that boat “float better” in the stern over a traditional outboard. The stringers are modified but that about it. Load distribution may be different as in placement of fuel tanks … but that goes out the window if you modify that during a restore. Once your forward of the engine box the bilge looks pretty much like the outboard (at least the one I’ve seen did). The weight of the engine (I/O) is more towards the fulcrum of the boat and I would think wouldn’t have as profound an effect on the waterline…whereas the outboard , especially on a bracket, is further from it. I don’t think your going to see a big difference between the two versions …. But that just an opinion. ……

Ask "Finster" about his 300 hp Black Max hanging off the transom a foot on a non-floatation Gil bracket. We thought he had a 25" transom based on his water line ... turned out to be a 30" with a waterline about five inches higher than on a normal 23 center console

Your motor (depending on shaft and size) should be in the 450-470 lb range.

Depending on how much buoyancy that bracket really has, that bracket may not be the best for a four stroke either. They are anywhere from 550lb range up to the Verado monsters over 600 lbs. Those older brackets didn’t have the buoyancy to support these weights (they can support it its just that your really squatting in the stern). Even manufactures like Armstrong ( on Regulators) has modified the brackets to increase the buoyancy to accommodate the higher weights. The bracket on the 26 Regulator now looks like the SeaMark twin bracket which has in the area of 900 lbs of buoyancy.

Again Just my opinion !!

[Capt Chuck]

Welcome Capt Scott

Bunch of Scotts on this board now, so anytime we need input, you all can chime in like a chours line!

You have received some good advise above. May I suggest you contact "generaider" He has a 23CC that was converted from twin I/O's. He could answer many questions for you. It has a double Seamark (Potter) bracket with twin 135HP fichts.

It is a very sweet riding boat. Good Luck with your refurbishing [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[CaptScottNC]

Thanks for the warm welcome and superb information. I guess my other question is that when up on plane as long as your bracket is strong enough floatation no longer has any effect right? So the big issue is at slow speeds and drifting how your boat will be sitting in the water and how it will effect your drainage and such? Do I basically understand this? I'll add a photo of the boat on the water and see what you guys think?
Her eare the photos showing the waterline. Looks like it's a tad stern heavy with the bow rising up a little according to the bottom paint. Look and see the batteries and the plate used to mount the bracket. I see 5200 on the threads of the bolts so at least they appeared to use sealant and a good size backing plate. What do you guys think? If I move 150lb worth of batteries forward that will at least help if I added a 4-stroke. If i get this I will probably take something that weighs an extra 100lbs and sit it back there on the engine and take some photos of the waterline before and after to compare them. I want to make good decisions and well informed ones. Look at the photos and tell me wha tyou think.

[ocuyler]

Nothing like a 1500 pound payload to test your flotation bracket...

[Capt Chuck]

I guess my other question is that when up on plane as long as your bracket is strong enough floatation no longer has any effect right? So the big issue is at slow speeds and drifting how your boat will be sitting in the water and how it will effect your drainage and such? Do I basically understand this?

Capt

Yes, you are correct in your assumptions. Your "Stainless Marine Bracket" does not have a positive flotation chamber like the SeaMark. Meaning, the engine still has more weight then the bracket. I think moving the batteries up under the console will help.

I don't think your boat is sitting too low. The SeaCraft will still sit a little stern heavy because that is the nature of the beast. The Potter Bracket will prevent "squatting" at the hole shot unlike the "Armstrong" or "Stainless" ones as it is parallel with the bottom of the boat. Also the SeaMark Bracket is fiberglass which eliminates electrolis. Below is a bracket similar to the SeaMark, fabricated by member "Strick"



Here is a picture of my boat "without" a bracket. You can see how it sits. I will have a picture with the bracket in a few weeks.



You can see my bracket install on this thread ---> capt_chucks bracket

[CaptScottNC]

Thanks guys. Great looking boats there as well. I appreciate the info and feedback. I will let you know how things pan out. ANyone can feel free to email me as well if they have anything to share. [email protected]

Thanks!

[ocuyler]

Here is a picture of my boat "without" a bracket. You can see how it sits. I will have a picture with the bracket in a few weeks.

Chuck,

A FEW WEEKS!?

[ScottM]

The weight of the engine (I/O) is more towards the fulcrum of the boat and I would think wouldn’t have as profound an effect on the waterline…whereas the outboard , especially on a bracket, is further from it. I don’t think your going to see a big difference between the two versions …. But that just an opinion. ……

I couldn't resist Chuck's invite, so another "Scott" will jump in here... [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

I can't speak to the CC's, but the Sceptres are definitely effected by the engine config. My dad's jack plated OB sits higher in the stern that Jack's I/O, and they both carry 144 gal of fuel with the tanks in the same location. Jack's stern corners are about 3" further below the water than on my dad's. I would think there's a similar effect on the CC's. If you think about it, a Chevy 350 and Alpha outdrive weigh in the neighborhood of 800#, whereas a 225 Yamaha 2-stroke and 6" jack plate are around 475# total.

[Scott]

CaptScott

I'm with Chuck ... that water line looks fine in its current configuration (That boat looks like its in pretty good shape too ) Like you say the problems with a newer heavier motor on that setup would be drifting and squatting ... I (personally) would not put a bigger motor on that bracket. I would be inclined to think you would most likely see a lot of water on your deck through those scuppers with a bigger motor and that current bracket.

Like Scott confirms above the boat with an I/O sits lower in the water than a boat with just an outboard. That would say to me that there is no more apparent difference in buoyancy in an I/O built version over an outboard version. Putting a 590lb (or the extreme a 650 lb 250hp Verado) on that engine pod with a 26”-30” setback would be an awful lot of weight…unless mounted on one of the newer generation brackets that have the high buoyancy numbers …Like the Potter SeaMark bracket (890+ lbs of buoyancy) Then its not an issue.

Generaider would be best to chime in here. I’ve heard real good things from him and several members, including Capt Chuck, about the performance of that boat with the proper bracket and 850+ lbs of motor back there. I think with a bracket in the style he has ( the seamark) he has essentially extended the running surface of the boat ... effecting the ride in a positive manner giving it a bigger feel when running. Remember most of the other brackets typically do not follow the running plane of the hull, and are similar to what you have... they attach low on the transom and then angle up towards the engine mounts. But more and more companies are changing that design with these higher weight motors becoming more prevalent. Some of these other brackets, like Generaiders, follow the shape of the v in the transom, extending aft on the same plane as the hull. You almost are adding a couple of feet to the boat …. I remember a picture of Generaiders boat during the restore that showed the trim tabs on either side of the flotation chamber ….there was even more running surface.