Motor bracket vs transom mounted

[Pete66]

Hi
Im looking to buy a 22 Seafarer I see alot more listings for motor bracket boats.I dont know anyone that has one is there a big difference.
Thanks

 

[Don Davis]

I have the factory Grady bracket/pod version. I haven’t been on the transom version but I would guess you have less room than the bracket version. It also offers more protection in a following sea as the transom on the bracket version is solid without the notch. The large swim grid is an added benefit on the bracket version as well.

 

[Blaugrana]

Hi
Im looking to buy a 22 Seafarer I see alot more listings for motor bracket boats.I dont know anyone that has one is there a big difference.
Thanks

Very interesting as when I was looking last year, I probably saw 4-5 226s for every 1 228...You aren't the first person saying this as someone told me the same thing a few weeks ago. I guess I was a year too early as I couldn't look at the 228s fast enough last year as they were on the market for only a short period of time.

I think you are going to get mixed responses on both versions. The 228 probably has the steeper learning curve because of the engine being mounted 2ft or so off the stern of the boat vs the 226 that is transom mounted and how that impacts the handling (different, not necessarily better/ worse). I would go to Grady's website and review their brochure showing the 226 vs 228 so you get a feel for the slight layout difference (i.e. 228 has the live well in the transom).

I chose the 228 as I have little ones and preferred the closed transom so the engine was not "in" the boat. Also, I liked the live well in the stern.

Let the 226 folks speak up, but that transom cap seems to be a PIA as it wasn't finished the way it should have been. So be aware of that if you go the 226 route.

 

[Don Davis]

The transom cap seems a little odd about the 226 and how you have to flip it down to raise the main engine. Not sure why Grady didn’t design/glass a permanent motor well like many other manufacturers. I noticed the same setup on the 208’s as well. Maybe someone with more knowledge can comment on Grady’s thoughts on that design.

 

[glacierbaze]

That's not the transom cap, that's the wave gate. The cap is the aluminum covering the top of the transom notch, where the engine is mounted. That area is prone to leak, and eventually rot the transom. It should have been fiber glassed, instead of covered up with a metal strip

I have a '93 Tournament 22, with notched transom, and a 2000 SF228G, with the bracket. They are the same hull, but the 228 rides much bigger, drier, and you sit higher off the water.

 

[seasick]

I never heard the term "wave Gate" but I do have that on my 208. I just called it the motor well dam
On the 208, you have to lower it if you want to tilt up the motor completely out of the water. The dam does stop water that gets into the moto well from flooding the deck. It also, when flipped down, offers a little better access to the not so accessible motor well inspection plates.

 

[glacierbaze]

Better access to the inspection plates, but hard on the knees.

 

[UCPA111]

I bought my boat as a 226 and converted to a 228. I am told that the bracketed 228 suffers when in reverse. I will say that it doesn't reverse "great" but it's not a problem for what I do. Now, if you were in a current and against wind and needed to reverse and turn....it would be a challenge.

I love the extra room in the cockpit with the motor on a bracket. It does make the boat act a bit longer/larger and with the modifications I made...it's a great trolling boat (very stable) in different wave directions (beam, following, etc.). I am glad I converted it.

I have a YouTube page under my name with a host of videos and a couple with my boat running and fishing.

 

[GEII]

I owned both(2 stroke 226 soft top and a four stroke 228 hard top) and preferred the 228 for ride, looks, space and handling. Maybe the weight of the hardtop contributed to a better ride. I found backing up the 228 was fine with engine tilted up a bit. Good Luck

 

[glacierbaze]

Tilting the engine in reverse is key in a bracketed boat, since the motor is higher. Otherwise, most of the reverse thrust is bouncing off the transom.

 

[Pete66]

Tilting the engine in reverse is key in a bracketed boat, since the motor is higher. Otherwise, most of the reverse thrust is bouncing off the transom.

 

[Pete66]

Wow that was really helpful thank you to all Im thinking 03 228 is the way im going.
Thank you

 

[Ky Grady]

You won't be sorry. Love my '04 228. Understanding about the 228 quirks like the reverse thing going in to ownership, allows you to figure out how she handles a little faster than most. Take you time, get to know it, and enjoy it.