Snook-
I like your desire to improve your boat and your determination over the last 2yrs or so to research and decide on a bracket. You certainly have the sickness like the rest of us! I looked up the old thread where we discussed this 2 years ago here -
http://www.classicseacraft.com/commu...ad.php?t=22541
I would say they same thing-
"A couple of thoughts after having 3 18SFs (1987,1988, and 1989)..........
-Saltydog - The planing characteristics are a bigger concern in dangerous conditions than taking a wave over the stern in your light 1989 with your 115. If you still have the teak splashwell door, that will cover you for waves. In another post a few months ago, you asked about 18's that had the console moved. The Potter 18's have the console set farther back. The 80's 18s had the console moved forward to offset the heavier 18's (80-87).
- I was with Bushwacker at our 2009 Key Largo event when Keyscruz pulled up in his bracketed 18. It looked good as far as the balance at rest.
- I am against moving the intended CG and I have had a bracketed 23 SeaCraft
- Over these 9 years as a member of CSC from the beginning, what has been said is exactly what Denny and 76Red have said about the pluses and minuses
- Plus, with all those member's input, it can be summed up as this: The bigger the bracket tub the better(IE.Hermco Bracket), the shorter the set-back of the bracket, the less the CG is shifted. All 23's and bigger handle a bracket quite well, the 20 Seafari and Sceptre handle a bracket better than a SF or MA because of the weight up front. 18SFs will have the most severe CG changes that need to be offset with batteries, fuel tank, ect. because they are smaller boats. I would take a ride on keyscruz 18 or another one and then decide. You may like the ride! I would never by choice have a different set up on an 18SF than a 358lb motor that gets me to 40 mph and planes at 12 mph, especially for offshore.
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