I have had both , 76 23's one on notch and one with armstrong bracket.
I agree with all the pros, and some of the cons. If i had it to do over i would go with a min. setback bracket and maybe add a jackplate for shallow water running.
I run a first generation fourstroke 225 , i will look to reduce some weight when i repower.
In general i think the pros outweigh the cons.

Bgreene I assume u are the same guy from CM with that sweet 201? I have the same boat (well it had the green trim) its a 1992 211 (mako21ct) it's for sale as I grabbed a 23 SC Cc. I am bracketing. For all the research I have done it seems like a no brainer! We were bracketing for the simple fact of staying dry when rip fishing here in NE for stripers. But more I learn about brackets the more I like them. From what I gather you get better top end, better hull shot and better fuel economy! So I'm sold! If that is you with the Mako, good luck with the sale I love your boat, always have. Good luck mate!

Sully

Thanks Sully, appreciate the comments. Yup, that's me - that Mako 201 was clean. Sold it and picked up a 96' near " time capsule" Wellcraft V21 that's got a lot more room. I'm sold on the cuddy with big open cockpit area - can even put out two big deck chairs comfortably when trolling, and storage in the cuddy's useful. Thinking the next step up for ocean range and such is the SeaCraft Sceptre ( 100 gal fuel vs 60 now ) if I can find the right boat/motor.
Bracket - I had some concerns so learning now about the pro's and cons. Some report maneuverability is reduced, some say it's better off with a full wide etc. Interesting stuff.
I've had a bunch of boats - lucky to have found some beauties over the years, incl this V now. Just decked it out with enclosure. You have a 92' 211 ? That's a real strong boat, Mako built them like a tank back then. Thanks for posting.

The 23 would be much less sensitive to the negative CG impact of a bracket than what you'd see on the smaller 20.

On the maneuverability issue, I think you will see more of a difference in just switching from push/pull cable steering to hydraulic steering than you'd experience from a bracket! I previously had a home made/Hynautic system using an inboard style piston to replace the old Teleflex push/pull cable, designed to turn the motor from stop to stop. I installed a new Sea Star system along with the bracket, but I've found that the piston stroke on it is way too short, by at least an inch on each end.

In the attached pic, I disconnected piston bracket from the tiller bar and found I could rotate the motor another inch or so on each side beyond the piston stop before the motor hit the stops! I'm sure that ~20% reduction in motor travel makes a significant difference in my turning circle, regardless of whether or not I have a bracket!

The backing issue I mentioned I believe had to do with the thin and shallow Gil bracket. I believe because a lot of the prop wash in reverse hit's the back of the boat which lessens thrust. I would think a Hermco or double (wide) Armstrong would do MUCH better. I loved having a bracket, just not that one as much.

Someone really needs to build one of these and report back on the CG issues/results ;)

Oh boy JJ . . . it's on schedule for 2014 :)

How about simply using a 25" setback bracket and then notching out the transom cap a bit to allow the engine to tilt up. A friend of mine did this with his Hiliner. Still has the full transom cap but with a 15" wide by about 8" deep pocket glassed out of it. I think that would serve the same purpose as your drawing JJ?

Not my drawing Blackfin. Bigshrimpin could tell you more about it but I believe its Mr. Potters drawing ;).

I think the CG issue is an intresting one. No doubt in my mind the Inboard CC eats seas better than an OB bracketed CC. I just push those QL tabs down to compensate in the chop and hook up that bow. Bottom line...the boat is awesome now matter how it is set up for power.