Hi all,
I have recently bought an older Stacer 4.5m CC with 50hp 2 stroke. An oldy but a goody. 1.9 m beam and fairly deep hull. It passed it's first water test last week with flying colours but any second hand motor is always a bit of an unknown right. [Correction, any motor can die at any time if Murphy is with you]. This motor is a 1997 Force "By Mercury marine"
Taking it to the NT next month (moving there permanently for work) and I am gonna get me a barra of course. Maybe even a million dollar fish. That would be nice
Some of the fishing I'll be doing will be remote river work, long kays, and no marine rescue etc. So I plan to fit my trusty suzuki 8 to make me feel warm and fuzzy. Safety with the snapping handbags is a big factor here too.
I have an old aux bracket which is made of hot dipped gal steel. I plan to rebuild it by fitting new gal bolts and a good clean and paint. Maybe new springs if I can find some. SS bolts through the transom though of course.
First question Is it a no-no to have the gal against the transom? Galvanic corrosion right? What would you insulate with? A chopping board? Ply? How thick?
Second question How do I brace the inside of the transom? I was thinking to do it like in this photo I found on google (photo of f/glass boat). Have two ally angles vertically inside right up against the transom. Should I have it welded in there top and bottom OR will just the aux bracket bolts (4 of) do the job to spread the load?
Or should I angle back to the fuel tank holding frame on the floor? I want this setup to be trailerable. I could do this on the starboard side (preferred) but not port side as my in-use fuel tank goes port side.
Third question I want to fit the engine to starboard side. Is this OK? I know I am making life hard for myself as the anchor light will need to be moved and also the finder/transducer is starboard. Minor issues though as the it will clear the transducer and I can always move the light. I just imagine it would be hard to turn right with the motor port side. Just picture me hanging outside of the boat over the crocs. I want to avoid any part of me outside of the boat of course.
Fourth question Is this set up OK to be trailerable. I will fit a spring to the lowering handle of the aux bracket. This way it can't drop down whilst trailering.
I am good with the tools and have access to a good workshop just want to get it right first time. There is just so much to consider to get this right first time.
Any good advice out there?