bracket vs no bracket?

[phester]

Ive had a number of boats through the years, non of which had a bracket. I need to hear from all you " V-PRO ,s" what are the up sides and what are the down sides?

[chumbucket]

The only bracketed boat I had was previous to the Wellcraft, a 22' Grady-White Seafarer W/A.
Pro;
Full transom (no motorwell for following seas to splash into)
More cockpit space
Quieter cockpit from motor being outside the boat
Handles like a bigger boat

Con;
Handles like a bigger boat (there are situations where this can be detrimental such as steerage in tight areas)
Generally, depending on setup, less control in reverse (prop wash against transom)
Tangled fishing lines if you're not careful
If you moor or slip your boat, marinas charge by the foot

I'm sure there are lots more pros v. cons but thats just off the top of my head.
Given a choice of two identical boats bracket v. transom mount, I'd go bracket (you're welcome MJ ;D)

[CT_V-20]

CB hit them all. Biggest pro in my opinion is the extra cockpit space and the biggest drawback is the slip requirements for the extra length. One additional drawback is you can't check the pee stream easily.

[macojoe]

CB got them all!! But there is one thing wrong with his description, There are no Con's!!

Really the only Con I have is, Backing up kind of sucks, and you do need a wider turn.

But this boat is so much better in every other way!! I have never regretted doing it for one second!!!!

As a matter fact, the only time I have hit something with it is when CB was co piloting me threw his back yard, and when I slowed down cause I saw low water he said "JUST KEEP GOING, YOUR FINE!!" That was just before we turned the prop into a Pretzel!!

[chumbucket]

:-[ ::) You still love me though, don't you! ;D

My stupidity has nothing to do with a bracket v. non-bracket comparison. But thanks for bringing it up again. :-/

[reelapeelin]

Chum...you might be on that hook for a while... ::) ;)

[chesapeake724]

Dangit, Chum. You're making me miss my last baby: '88 Seafarer 228G with the Grady bracket. Hardtop, Furuno suite, including radar, full enclosure, truly a pocket-battlewagon if there ever was one. Heavy bow to smash through seas...it handled like a 25'er with the bracket.

But, I can't cry too much. If I could've afforded keeping her (one more child turned into TWO at once), I wouldn't have been forced into researching a good, used, seaworthy hull that still afforded a little creature comfort. Then I wouldn't have found out that the Steplift fit the bill, wouldn't have bought one, wouldn't be here among you fine blokes, and you guys wouldn't have t-shirts. ;)

Oh, and back on topic, there no Cons (aside from slip cost) to having a bracket. It's the time/work/expense of putting one on, that's the downside.

[phester]

thanks guys, seems like its the way to go... all I need to do is find a good one.One last thought, does the hull run a little free-er w/ a bracket?