Outboard engine brackets?

[Deep_Diver]

What is the general consensus on outboard brackets? And what is the general thought on the smallest boat a bracket can be used on...21', 20' 19', 18'...???

This is just a random question...just something I was thinking about...and there seems to be quite a bit of knowledge and experience with brackets around here...
Thanks in advance!

[FELLOW-SHIP]

I don’t know it there is a general thought on this subject just a bunch of individual thoughts. So for me, if you want a bigger boat since you don’t own one yet just buy the next size bigger so you don’t have to bracket. For me, I think that the 23’ is the starting point on do I want to bracket or not and again for me, that’s only if I wanted to put 2 motors on the back for safe longer ranges trips. I really start thinking about brackets and or euro bracketed boats at 27-31 foot in boats that size you don’t have to be as concerned with the weight of motors 30 something inches off the back of your boat.
FellowShip [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[riffraff]

It seems that most of the folks on this site like a bracket on the bigger boats. I looked at putting one on my 20, and decided to stay with the traditional notched transom. I have had boats with twins and a bracket and love the clean look of the cockpit and the room (my Jupiter has an integrated bracket). I think it is really personal preference.

[Capt Chuck]

The following is a quote from Mr.Bill Potter: [img]/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img]

Why brackets for SeaCrafts (or most other open transom outboard boats!)?!!
1.SAFETY - The biggest cause of offshore accidents is capsizing due to destabilizing water in the cockpit which in almost all cases came in over a low cut transom. That is why we put full depth motor wells in SeaCrafts. A bracket alone helps this, but not as much as having a full height transom with the bracket
2. PERFORMANCE - All bracket mounted engines should give at least 8-10% better top speeds and improved fuel efficiency than the same engine(s)and propellor(s)transom mounted plus better steering at speed and more engine trimability.
3. MORE INTERIOR SPACE - You can cut out the old motor well or you can convert it to additional seating, a stern casting deck or additional storage space. (See the Hermco link for pictures of some he has done.)
4. STRENGTHEN THE TRANSOM - Brackets with full width integral swim platforms spread the motor weight and leverage out over most of the transom. A properly designed bracket can be used on most SeaCrafts in stead of replacing the original core and/or raising the transom height - For not a lot more money and a lot less work!!!

"CHECK OUT the complete Seamark ALL FIBERGLASS Transom Brackets and Transom Closing Systems at the Hermco link.
And by the way, who ever thought it made sense to put a permanent ALUMINUM extension on a good FIBERGLASS BOAT----"

[riffraff]

Hard to argue with that...

[Deep_Diver]

Thanks for the info...it is certainly food for thought!