I saw a photo of what looked like a 24' Banana race boat, P-73 Team Banana was the boat. Anyway I noticed that the twin O/Bs seemed to have been mounted right on the transom, it didn't seem to have any brackets. Anyway it could be that I just couldn't see them but I wanted to know if twins are ever mounted without brackets and if so would 20" shafts be too short for that type of application? I my OBs should be at about 235 hp so the boat should move enough as far as speed and I know a 12-18" set back would give me another 4-5 mph but I'm also thinking of porting the motors to 265-270 hp in the future. Bottom line is I like the transom mounted motors better! Let me add that if I do go with the set back I'll be able to close the transom and not have to go thru the cost of bringing the motors up to 265-270 hp, which would cost about 6K as opposed to about 2K, using a full bracket with manual jacks. Any suggestions?

We didn't have brackets in the early days, that is why the motors were mounted on the transom.

As far as the specifics.....times have changes so much and the props have changed so much, you are better getting an answer from some of the experienced outboard people here who have recently put motors on the transom.

The boat we are building now, has a motor on a bracket, but the Evinrude people have worked with us to get the right height and right prop for this particluar boat and boating requirement (not racing).

More photos of outboard boats on the site www.bananaboatco.com

INXS,

A single 25" shaft outboard on a banana is the same as twin 20" shafts due to the deep vee shape of the hull. In both set ups the prop shaft is about the same distance from the bottom of the hull.

As for outboard set ups, here are some expectations. This info is based on no less than 8-10 different banana's with twin outboard set ups both on the transom and on jack plates.

1. Twin 20" shaft 200hp "stock" outboards mounted on the transom running 24p chopper props. (65 mph).

2. Twin 20" shaft 200hp "stock" outboards mounted on 5-6" manual jack plates with counter rotating lowers, (turning out) and nose cones with low water pick ups running 26p chopper props. (70 mph)

3. Twin 20" shaft 235-240hp outboards mounted on the transom running 24p chopper pros. (70 mph).

4. Twin 20" shaft 235-240 hp outboards outboards mounted on 5-6" manual jack plates with counter rotating lowers, (turning out) and nose cones with low water pick ups running 26p chopper props (75mph).

5. There was once a stock banana with twin Mod VP's (280hp) that were mounted to 5" manual jack plates with counter rotating lowers (turning in) and nose cones with low water pick ups running 26p chopper props (claimed 80mph).

(note) Switching lowers so they turn in may give you a 1 mph gain, but you forfeit performance when docking and it makes things a bit more unstable at speed on some boats. The cool thing is it gives you a little rooster tail from the moment you add power to when you get on plane, then it goes away.

6. B 73 "the second one" ran on the transom with 280 hp Mercurys. I have not talked to Mike Snow to confirm a top speed, but the boat was advertised as 85mph last time it was for sale a few years ago. (I think it's possible as the hull was a balsa cored race lay up as Spoiled Banana was. Spoiled Banana did 75mph with stock 200hp Mercurys running on 5" manual jack plates.

Hope this helps...

Chris

Thanks guys, I'm leaning towards a full bracket-swim platform with manual jacks for a total set back of from 12-18". A friend of mine ran into my fiberglass guy the other day and he said he'll be able to do the fiberglass work. So I''ve got someone to redo the seats, glass work and to close the transom. Just a matter of getting the picking a bracket mfg. and some nice weather!

Call Stainless Marine... Worked for me. HIGH LIFE

Thanks, I'll call them after I get off night shift. There basic twin bracket looks nice, $2800 seems a little high but that's 30" set back. I'll check to see if they have something in the 12-18" range. If I use one of these do I still need the manual jack for setting the motor height? If so I found some company that sells 12" manual jacks for under $300.
I could just say what the hell and buy them both but I don't like spending $s if it's overkill!

[QUOTE=Top Banana;2766470]We didn't have brackets in the ....

...The boat we are building now, has a motor on a bracket, but the Evinrude people have worked with us to get the right height and right prop for this particluar boat and boating requirement (not racing).

What Do you mean Not Racing... If I get beat on the Bay........

Then we blame it on the driver !!!!

I told you before....STAY AWAY FROM RACING....that means don't even talk about it...... or write the word...it is more addictive than breathing.

29 years later and still at it....sorry, can't help myself...just tryng to warn others.

No problem... I am in enough trouble as it is so I will not even mention the word...

I saw some adjustable 12" brackets from about $280-$340. I'll proble go with the $340 range ones as they are rated to 300 hp as the others are rated to only 225hp.
12" should give my some good water and with twins I may not need 18" of set back.