Hi
I was recently given an evinrude 4 horse and now have also got my hands on an ally mounting bracket! I'm planning on hanging it on my port side (got central heating exhaust out on starbord). As it has only neutral and forward, and a tiller handle I'm guessing that it should just have some sort of clip to lock it in forward drive for emergency use. The grp seems pretty thick in that area so I may not even have to go my usual way of mega-over-engineering
So, before I drill holes I was just wondering if anyone has any really cunning thoughts (or horrid suprises) they might like to share before I commit the drill to the hull...
it's one of these...
which makes the whole pull start n steer rather awkward, let alon swinging it round for 'reverse'
which makes the whole pull start n steer rather awkward, let alon swinging it round for 'reverse'
Just pivot the motor toward the big engine and you'll have plenty of room for pull starting. Don't try steering with the kicker tiller. Lock it in forward position, drop your rudders, and you can steer just fine with the wheel.
When I did mine I put in an access plate. Things are actually not quite cut and dried inside there. You will find that there is a panel behind the outer panel, and of course more foam blocks. I've since put an access panel on the port side as well so I could get to the bolts that mount my arch.
This is the starboard side, but here is what it is like inside. I had to make a hole through both the transom wall and the inner panel to get to all four bolts when tightening the nuts. I just used large fender washers as reinforcement. Try not to have the bolts hit where the inner panel is glassed to the aft surface. Mine came a bit too close and it is tough to get the washers on and hold the nuts with the wrench.
Our 3.3hp Mercury sits on its mount the same as Duane's I also had to add an access port to fit a plate and the nuts to the bolts, I tried to get access from inside the boat without luck, no where near enough room to raise my hand between the hull and liner.
By adding a second access port to the opposite side it looks like they were factory fitted.
Cheers guys
Do you leave the motor on the braket when at sea?
I've got an access panel on the port side from when I sorted out the weird backstay. Looking forward to doing starbord side too, but I can't get hold of those us benson/benton(?) plates here anymore! the dealer has shut down till further notice.
Anyone got a spare one I could buy?
Duane.. have you posted photos of your arch? One of my this-years-mods...
I carry my kicker on its retractable mount when trailering and when out on the water. I virtually never trail the dinghy with the motor on it. Too many things can go wrong. Regarding Duane's arch, he's posted pics several times. I'm sure a search could turn them up. It's a great addition to his boat.
Likewise, my 6hp dinghy motor is always on the bracket. We towed the dinghy one time with the motor on and it had over a two knot reduction in speed compared to the dinghy without the motor. We never tow with the motor on the dinghy.
As part of my arch I created a lifting arm that makes it easy to hoist the motor off the dinghy and put it on the bracket. We both trailer and cruise with the motor on the bracket. I keep a line from the motor to the aft pulpit that keeps the bracket tight in the hard up position so there is no bouncing. At times, depending on the sea state the dinghy motor prop will dig in and spin when on the bracket. It creates some spray, but other than that is not a problem.
The real issue is that the bracket I have doesn't have enough travel from top to bottom. I would look for one with more travel if I were doing the installation again. This would let me mount it a bit higher for more clearance in the up position and might even get it high enough that the motor could be tilted. As it is today the most tilt I can get is the shallow water stop.
Check out my 2008 mod http://macgregorsailors.com/modt/index.php?view=1001 Like most mods...measure twice, cut once. You need to mock-up and check tilt, and be sure that the prop is properly exposed below the hull to get some push. On a ten scale, I would put this one at an 8....and I have done many. Good Luck Tahoe Jack
cheers guys.
Hope to get that done pretty soon. Got a canal cruise in a month.. rather pootle along on that than gum up the big stroker.
Nice arch Duane. I'm aquiring a few nice bits of 316 in prep for one of these. thanx for the links n stuff
I did this mod last year. I do trailer and sail with the kicker on the mount. My mount is lower than duanes which let's me easily take It on/off the tender in harbour.
Tahoe Jacks mod report above is well done has all the info you need to proceed
Just got my ally bracket off the other boat... would you believe the center bolts were friggin straight steel! Took me forever to bash those rusty buggers out
Will be ready to stick on tomorrow.
Of course when I slip a mooring I never bump the rear.. but I've seen lots of other dodgy skippers do so
I do worry the kicker could be in the way a bit... I'd hate to have a chunk torn out the back because someone hit it...
Tahoe Jack
but I've seen lots of other dodgy skippers do so 