Re: Structural Fiberglass Question?
This
INBOARD to OB bracket conversion:
Inboard to outboard conversion?
Right, NOT an I/O to OB. Strictly an inboard, driven thru the V-drive:
I think Bob nailed it back in May '12:
Do you have the motors on hand? Twin 300's used are going to run close to $40K (with rigging and props)...... the change in center of gravity will drastically change the way the boat handles AND I would not begin to guess where the motors are to be mounted. The weight change will also change the way the boat sits in the water. It will probably take a Marine Architect/Engineer to design the right position.
That boat basically has no transom right now that will support weight or drives since it is an inboard.
You would be cheaper to rebuild or replace the current V-8's instead of creating a "frankenboat"
Unless you have ton's of disposable income I would not convert that boat from inboard to outboard.
That would also require a different trailer.
Based on the questions, it doesn't seem like much has changed on your end. But the boat, the work, engineering, tools & facilities necessary and the costs are all pretty much the same....
W/out pix, it'd be difficult to even help flesh out a plan, as I've never heard of someone doing this conversion, let alone KNOWN someone who's done it that might be of some help.
This sort of a pod bracket may interfere w/ the intended water flow off the back of the existing Formula's hull. I have no idea what the rear portion of the hull looks like, but I suspect that Formula designed it a certain way for specific reasons.
Does the existing hull have steps in it?
Is there a pad on the hull along the keel or at the transom?
Or is it strictly a deep-V?
Or a combination of those 3?
It is NOT as simple as taking some plywood, making some guesses as to the required structure to carry the load, the weight of twin 300's is substantial, and the stress, running WOT w/ twin 300's will impart incredible stress to the bracket & the mounting thru/to the transom, making further guesses as to the required reinforcements for the bracket to sustain this stress and how to adequately attach it to the existing boat. Extensive reworking of the boat's rear & below deck structure may be required.
Twin 300 meat grinders ripping a poorly done bracket modification off the back of your boat will really ruin your & anyone aboard or in the vicinity's day.
Have you figured out how much weight you are removing from amidships (twin inboards right?) and how much weight you're planning to hang off the back?
How much set back are you planning to incorporate into the bracket/pod?
How much weight will an aluminum or fiberglass plywood pod add to the stern of the boat?
How do all these changes affect the center of gravity/balance/bouyancy of the boat? How do you intend to compensate for those changes?
