Hull aluminum thickness and outboard bracket question

[Starcraft Enterprise]

You guys are a bad influence on me. Now I am kicking around in my head the idea of converting to a outboard bracket. Any of you ever seen an aftermarket bracket identical to the ones on the new Islanders?

Any of you got pics of a converted Starcraft with the bracket?
I am filling out a quote form and one of the questions is my hull thickness at the transom. Any of you know the definite answer?
1969 Starchief
http://www.marineparts.com/Armstrong/arm2.htm

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Hull aluminum thickness and outboard bracket question

On the Net -- ARMSTRONG Aluminum Boat stern Brackets lists several Stern brackets. They are pricey but are the real deal if a conversion is needed. May find a used one or so on Ebay

 

[North Beach]

Re: Hull aluminum thickness and outboard bracket question

1969 Starchief. Hull bottom and ribs-.080, Hull sides-.063, Transom and bow-.086, Keel-.077.

Hope this helps!!!

 

[Starcraft Enterprise]

Re: Hull aluminum thickness and outboard bracket question

1969 Starchief. Hull bottom and ribs-.080, Hull sides-.063, Transom and bow-.086, Keel-.077.

Hope this helps!!!

Great, thanks alot.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Hull aluminum thickness and outboard bracket question

Oh man, I am jealous already.

I have looked far and wide and the only brackets I have seen on a Starcraft are the ones put on at the factory. Even those are pretty rare.

Have fun!

 

[Starcraft Enterprise]

Re: Hull aluminum thickness and outboard bracket question

Well duh, I am an airhead. They need my total transom thickness. How thick is the stock transom wood on my boat? Mine is still original, but I will probably need to replace it when I instal the bracket.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Hull aluminum thickness and outboard bracket question

My 22 1975 Holiday is 3/4 inch. You will probably be advised to put a aluminum backing plate on the inside also to distribute the weigh on the stern. Just my guess.

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: Hull aluminum thickness and outboard bracket question

Are you sure it's not two 3/4 pieces of plywood for a total of 1 1/2 inches?
GLG

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Hull aluminum thickness and outboard bracket question

GLG I went out and measured it YOU ARE RIGHT AT my age every thing looks small anymore.LOL Thanks for the correction. Do you ever take anyone out on your boat with you.? I might trade a trip with you some day if interested. TRANSOM WOOD 1 1/2 INCHES THICK

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Hull aluminum thickness and outboard bracket question

Here's one from Michigan that has been converted. I think the one you pictured would be the best way to go, just awfully pricy.

Good luck with the project, looking forward to seeing what you decide.

And there's always the seadrive mods out there. I don't think they have a great reputation, not sure why exactly. Probably because they are OMC.

 

[Starcraft Enterprise]

Re: Hull aluminum thickness and outboard bracket question

The brackets are more reasonably priced than I thought. Here is the one I am thinking about if the one from Armstrong turns out to cost alot more.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SING...5516715QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Hull aluminum thickness and outboard bracket question

Those look like a good way to go, they sure don't look aluminum but that would be ideal.

I wonder if the inside is hollow? That would provide plenty of additional buoyancy on the stern.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Hull aluminum thickness and outboard bracket question

Good find Mike!

I think I remember hearing that it's hard to find parts for those sea drives.

SE, I was working with that same fella on eBay there on that same bracket back when I was on the hunt. I think I had him to about $1200 shipped but unpainted. That was the best deal I could find out there. D&D Marine has some good looking stuff too, check em out.

Once you get your bracket builder settled I found a good OB set up for ya...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0568944720&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: Hull aluminum thickness and outboard bracket question

The brackets are more reasonably priced than I thought. Here is the one I am thinking about if the one from Armstrong turns out to cost alot more.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SING...5516715QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

The bracket you have pictured might not offer enough flotation to offset the added weight of the outboard. This model of boat seems to be stern heavy. With the center of gravity too far back in the boat. To add a bracket and motor it may move the center of gravity back even further. This may cause more problems than we already have. If a bracket is in your future make sure it is a full flotation bracket. Another thought is if you add a bracket you will need to look at your trailer, as it may need to be extended to fit the bracket. You don?t want to have the extra weight sitting out in the air as that will put a hook in your hull and then you will have more problems.

On the plus side it sure would be nice to have a bracket and outboard to increase the deck space for fishing.

PS (Ed) you can come fishing up here anytime after the winter. My boat is winterized again. Last week I pulled it out of winterize to fish with a guy that needed to put a checkmark on the bucket list.

GLG

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Hull aluminum thickness and outboard bracket question

GLG I never though of a bucket list but just may do that. Not getting any younger and sorry to say I seen to forget things I should remember. Stay safe and warm A lot of cold air down here from the Fraiser River Valley . My boats are put up for the winter. Need to build a new shelter as the last big wind blew my two covers to pieces. Added an xtra tarp to protect them. Wish I was about 20 years younger I would build a nice shop. Have a great holiday. Pugetsound

 

[KellyC]

Re: Hull aluminum thickness and outboard bracket question

I do have to ask how big of an OB would you put on this old tin can anyway? Just curious as I was thinking the same thing, just cant make up my mind yet. But I do know that there would be a lot of $ to go outboard that is for sure. And do the brackets just bolt on or do they need to be welded on? Yea I know stupid questions but I have to ask.

 

[Starcraft Enterprise]

Re: Hull aluminum thickness and outboard bracket question

I do have to ask how big of an OB would you put on this old tin can anyway? Just curious as I was thinking the same thing, just cant make up my mind yet. But I do know that there would be a lot of $ to go outboard that is for sure. And do the brackets just bolt on or do they need to be welded on? Yea I know stupid questions but I have to ask.

I am shooting for 200 hp, but would settle for 150 hp. From what I have seen, they bolt on.
I am justifying the expense from the point that I was going to spend $1200 on a brand new SEI outdrive anyways.
I want more speed of course, but by converting to a larger inboard engine I was going to loose more floor space and I am already stern heavy.
So for the same price of the new outdrive and larger engine, I can buy the bracket and outboard.
My parents 1968 Starchief was an outboard with the same top speed as my 1969 Starchief with I/O. It barely had any more floor space than mine because of the large splashwell. I did not like the pre mix 2 cycle 1969 100 hp Evinrude outboard because of the vibration noise and smoke. So I saw no advantage of the outboard and when I went to buy my own Starchief, looked for an I/O.
But with the bracket and a larger more modern outboard with oil injection, I gain the speed I want, floor space, a swim platform, loose most of the old outboard nuisances and if I manage to balance the boat better, bonus.

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Hull aluminum thickness and outboard bracket question

S E What length is your Starcraft. Also Kelly the length of yours, also My neighbor with the Outboard has a 19 Islander the OB is a 120 Evinrude and has plenty of speed and power

 

[Starcraft Enterprise]

Re: Hull aluminum thickness and outboard bracket question

S E What length is your Starcraft. Also Kelly the length of yours, also My neighbor with the Outboard has a 19 Islander the OB is a 120 Evinrude and has plenty of speed and power

18' 4", I think. With 21 pitch prop, top speed currently 37 mph on smooth water.
I want to cruise at 37 mph, top out over 50 mph.
When I lived in Panama City and was running around the Gulf, those speeds was impossible with my light weight hull and the waves / chop. But now that I am back in Ohio running the relatively smooth lakes of Ohio and Indiana, I can go as fast as I want.

 

[veilside180sx]

Re: Hull aluminum thickness and outboard bracket question

Out here (West Coast), those are referred to as an offshore bracket.

I've never seen one on a rivited boat though. Would be pretty slick to have a 21' Chieftan with one me thinks.