offshore bracket

[cj6530]

If price is not the issue is an offshore bracket always better? I am shopping for a new boat in the 20ft range and I really don't know if I need the extra space in the back. Of course more space is better, but is there any trade offs by having an off shore bracket that I am not thinking of. I guess I am worried about things like handling, having to lean way out back to connect the kicker to main for steering. In short, if extra space is not a priority is it better to not get the offshore bracket. Also, for 2009 do all the major manufacturers have all the kinks worked out on them?

[ICHTHYDEMON]

I can't see owning another boat without a bracket. The only issue I've had with mine was the engine being mounted too low. I had North River raise the engine a couple holes and everything is great now.

The bracket make it easy to get in/out of the boat when we're tubing or swimming. It makes a nice place to keep your cooler.

The best part is not having the engine well take up 2' of room in the back of the boat.

[Fishing Monarch]

I can't see owning another boat without a bracket. The only issue I've had with mine was the engine being mounted too low. I had North River raise the engine a couple holes and everything is great now.

The bracket make it easy to get in/out of the boat when we're tubing or swimming. It makes a nice place to keep your cooler.

The best part is not having the engine well take up 2' of room in the back of the boat.

I agree, I do not think I would ever get another boat without the bracket. Be sure though that you are getting one that is a floatation bracket (i.e. the bottom of the boat continues all the way to the back) and not just a weld on bracket. You will find when it is rough out the floatation style bracket will keep your bow down and prevent you from porpoising. The older style braket had problems with porpoising.

[RiverDog]

I agree with the other two gents. I have a 20' Seahawk with the OS bracket with a 150 Yami and T8 kicker mounted on the bracket. The extra space in back is really nice and getting in/out when skiing/tubing is easy. The Seahawk has the extended hull under the bracket so I don't have any porpoising issues. The ONLY thing so far I have as a possible negative is the reach when trolling with the kicker. I just got the boat this year so perhaps there is a way to better that situation that I haven't found yet, but I guess that is the trade off. I'm not running a TR-1 or haven't connected the kicker to the main for steering so there still may be options to make it better. But overall, the bracket is a really nice feature in my mind. :twocents:

[garyk]

I guess I am worried about things like handling, having to lean way out back to connect the kicker to main for steering.

Your other post mentions a NR Seahawk.

NorthRiver addresses your concern of reaching the trolling motor by offering a 2/3rd's width bracket -- basically one side of the bracket is missing thus allowing the kicker to be mounted on the transom. I've used this setup on friends' 24' and 21' Seahawks and found them both to troll and steer very well. (the newer floatation bracket really keeps the boat level - which is a huge influence in how a boat tracks while trolling.)

There's a Seahawk in my future and because we troll a lot, it will definitely have the transom mounted kicker.