Transom question

[Stork]

Hello again,
I was wondering if someone could let me know why some 2520's have the cut transom and some have the engine on a bracket. Is there a performance gain from having one over the other?
What is the main reason some choose one set up over the other?
Thanks!
Robert

 

[DaleH]

COST: A hull w/ a cut-out transom is cheaper and faster to produce (less tooling, components, and fabrication) and thus can be sold at a lower price point, whilst maintaining the same margin or mark-up.

PERFORMANCE: Some OB experts opine an OB can get 10-20% improvement in overall efficiency due to the propeller being run in 'cleaner' water (free from hull chines and interference) and also by being raised 1" higher for every foot of set-back off the hull, thereby having less drag from the motor LU gearcase.

SAFETY: No doubt about it, a full-width and full-height transom is far safer offshore.

OTHER: Full transom boats are quieter boats, stronger (or should be per the design improvement, i.e., no cut-out portion, and should hold their value better as they are more desirable to the typical consumer.

... what did I miss ... ????

 

[Stork]

Thanks for the info. I was wondering why one would have a cut transom when the other option gives you some storage space plus the added bonus of safety and strength.

Thanks again!

 

[miky2884]

Really didnt miss anything, my preference only but I would not go back to a notched transom boat again. I can fish 5 guys on my 2320 and the deck never gets wet.

one down side when fishing it makes it a little more difficult to land a fish off the back of the boat with a bracket, that's about the only down side I can think of.

 

[Pboettger]

The only down side for a full transom I wonder about, depending on the type of bracket used, is whether a stationary bracket would push the hull down further into the water (downward pressure on transom = weight of engine x distance from transom). However, I'm assuming these boats are balanced to compensate for that? Of course this isn't an issue anyway for those not geared toward shallow water fishing, and probably could be remedied to a large degree with a porta bracket type set up (cost, ouch).

 

[gw204]

Never done or seen it done, but a cut transom can supposedly shed tons of water real quick as the engine is throttled up. Could make the difference between a boat on the surface and a boat under the surface if someone were to take a rogue wave over the side.

Of course the cut can also allow tons of water in. I took a substantial amount of water over the transom on my old 20' Grady CC while fishing the CBBT on winter. Probably a few inches of water on deck at the stern. Drained out pretty darn fast though...and I didn't feel all that unsafe.

Fishing around a closed transom/bracketed outboards on my 25' Grady was way more difficult.

 

[sparky]

The only down side for a full transom I wonder about, depending on the type of bracket used, is whether a stationary bracket would push the hull down further into the water (downward pressure on transom = weight of engine x distance from transom). However, I'm assuming these boats are balanced to compensate for that? Of course this isn't an issue anyway for those not geared toward shallow water fishing, and probably could be remedied to a large degree with a porta bracket type set up (cost, ouch).

The brackets have flotation built in, which eliminates this problem

 

[Megabyte]

... what did I miss ... ????

They look cool(er)?

 

[Stork]

It's also a nice place to sit, or have a sunbathing beauty lay across making all the other fisherman jealouse!

 

[miky2884]

I agree with Kevin and Stork! :mrgreen:

 

[mrfunandson]

Does parker still make a 25 sport cabin with a noticed transom? If not when did they stop?

 

[warthog5]

The only down side for a full transom I wonder about, depending on the type of bracket used, is whether a stationary bracket would push the hull down further into the water (downward pressure on transom = weight of engine x distance from transom). However, I'm assuming these boats are balanced to compensate for that? Of course this isn't an issue anyway for those not geared toward shallow water fishing, and probably could be remedied to a large degree with a porta bracket type set up (cost, ouch).

What you describe is why I would bot use a Porta Bracket.

The tub adds flotation on these Parkers.......But the 9'-6" beam adds a lot too.

If you used the Stainless Marine Bracket the is on My '95 2530 and mounted it on a 8ft beam boat you would not like it. The simple reason is not enough flotation.

The Hemco brackets are fiberglass, but have the Max flotation of any bracket manufacture out there.

 

[GotChrist?]

... what did I miss ... ????

They look cool(er)?

Works on my friend's boat, Miss Char. Nice bracket that does not interfere when fishing. Transom is a full width fish box. Makes the 2320 an inshore and offshore capable boat. Best of both worlds as it can still be trailer. On the older style, where do you put the cooler for Wahoo? I like the roominess the newer style offers.

 

[DTrain]

Not having a bracket saves me a couple hundred $ a year in slip fees (2320 with pulpit and bracket is a long boat 23' boat...), but that's the only upside I can think of. Well, brackets can also make the motor(s) harder to work on at sea, but there's not much you can fix at sea anymore anyway without a laptop and parts, so what's it matter?

I had wanted to put a Hemco bracket on my boat but it wasn't a simple bolt-on affair (would have needed a custom bracket or to have my transom reworked, re-routing drains, etc.), and I couldn't justify the cost.