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I've been doing some homework on various brackets you can obtain to move a motor more to the stern, free up the transom area, and according to some of the literature I’ve read, improve performance and decrease fuel consumption. One of them built like the Whaler Drive is the one built by Armstrong. I was just curious if anyone has actually purchased one and mounted it on a Boston Whaler or any other boat. I've seen Mikes thoughts on his 25 with the Whaler Drive, but would like to hear from anyone who has experience with the Armstrong product or other similar product.
As I have stated before I spend many hours at an outboard repair shop and marina. I am a friend of the owners. Many times I help out by moving boats around or test running the repaired outboard. I have had the opportunity to run and dock boats with and without brackets. Personally, I have found that with a closed transom and bracket added there is less water entering the boat from waves that hit the stern. Otherwise, a boat that has not been designed with a bracket doesn't handle as well as one without a bracket. They tend to porpoise at crusing speed and at near WOT and optimum trim they have a tendency to cavitate. Backing down into a slip with a running current is much more difficult then without a bracket added to the stern. I ran a 1989, 22' Outrage with a 225 hp Suzuki outboard fitted with a custom T-Top for 11yrs until I retired and bought a 260 Outrage. The 22' Outrage is an outstanding boat. I ran that boat in the shallows power drifting for Fluke, inshore for Striped Bass and Blues and Offshore for tuna. I would not have put a bracket on her.
Ah Joe, chill out, I have no plans to butcher R.A. I am however looking at ALL possible positive options I can do to make her all that I can, classic or otherwise as long as I do not take away from her originality. Mike is adamant that its a positive thing with Whaler Drive, as much as is Tom's, its not. Its all good, as it gives me great opinions from folks who know much, much more about the Whaler then I do. Is that not the reason for this website? Bottom line, its my decision to do with Raggedy what I will. However, you and I are of a kindred spirit, and I would never render a classic to a modified hybrid. I would however like to know the pro's and cons of the bracket offset, which is why I absolutely love this website. It has the consolidated knowledge of literally thousands of contacts, and bottom line, real world experience rules. I am, as we speak looking for a Whaler with the Whaler Drive, super console, bow pulpit, and (of course) super leaning post, as I really need a duel motor setup to go offshore in the gulf (40 miles plus) that I normally do on Fishing trips (40 ft plus vessels), but am in the meantime enjoying learning about teaking, fiberglass work, electrical (have I mentioned I hate wiring?) and everything else about the Whaler and associated upkeep. So, in the meantime before I offer you Raggedy Ann, not to worry, she's in good hands.
You are definately having a heck of a good time with your 22. It sounds like you could benefit with a 25 like Mike's.
There is a Whalerdrive 22 up in my neck of the woods that goes up for sale periodically. It has a 275 Mercury on it. I looked at it before I bought my 22. It was a little rough- OK, maybe a more than a little rough (water under the laminate in the forward locker, felt like a waterbed while standing in it).
