Sportsman/Fisherman 180 outboard bracket

[chrisao]

G'dday 180 owners, I'm considering adding an Armstrong bracket to my 180 and close the transom. Anyone done this? Thanks!

 

[Recoil Rob]

Wanting more space on my 180 I asked my old Honda dealer about bracket possibilities and he said it wasn't a good idea, moving the engine aft would upset the balance of the boat's design, might have problems trimming and getting it to run properly. Don't know if it's true not but easier to upset the balance on an 18' boat than a longer one.

Might want to look at this....https://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/1213668-transom-bracket-boat-size.html

Instead I spent the money on a quality T Top, great investment....

 

[Sardinia306Canyon]

He was probably right, moving the weight of the outboard backwards increase the lever and will lead to stern heavy behavior.
To the added lever there must be added the weight of the bracket too.
As smaller a hull is as more it will suffer from incorrect weight distribution and that is a common issue.
The added weight can be equalized with shifting weight forward (coolers, batteries) but most likely some additional weight in the bow area would be needed to counterbalance the added weight on the transom.

Honestly I would not do that except I have to.

Chris