MacGregorSailors.com

Was thinking something like this might be an answer to auxiliary power if the main would go down. The smaller tube shape of the shaft might fit between the main and rudder without interfering with movement. I haven’t measured anything but was thinking mounting it would be simple compared to a traditional outboard. Not saying this would be a totally ideal way to go but for me I’m on Commencement Bay, and would only need to get back to the marina that’s very close by. I’m still new to boating (first year) and learning about everything, have taken a 3day course that covers the very basics. And will be taking a more advanced course covering anchor, and docking. I’ve been out at least 20 times and am learning but always have the fear of the main going out and not having a backup. I’d rather have a second engine and have a plan C to deploy an anchor and call the nearby boat towing service. I have the number and talked to the owner @ BoatUS Tacoma so I know how things work. Anyhow just wondering if anyone tried this or maybe it’s just something that won’t work due to hp or other reasons. Your thoughts would be appreciated thanks.

I believe the most difficult part of mounting an auxiliary outboard on an is the limited flat surface on the stern, allowing clearance for the rudders.. Highlander made a special mount which curved around the starboard side. I don’t have any photos. Maybe he see’s this post and adds his undeniable mod expertise.

P.S. if I remember from other posts on this topic, 4HP will move an in calm seas and not against the tide. If I’m wrong, someone with experience (Not Theory) will correct me.

NiceAft wrote: ↑Sun Mar 30, 2025 1:28 pm I believe the most difficult part of mounting an auxiliary outboard on an is the limited flat surface on the stern, allowing clearance for the rudders.. Highlander made a special mount which curved around the starboard side. I don’t have any photos. Maybe he see’s this post and adds his undeniable mod expertise.

P.S. if I remember from other posts on this topic, 4HP will move an in calm seas and not against the tide. If I’m wrong, someone with experience (Not Theory) will correct me.

Thanks for your insight, was trying to lookup Highlanders mod. Still looking he has a lot of posts

Shane anthony wrote: ↑Sun Mar 30, 2025 4:58 pm

NiceAft wrote: ↑Sun Mar 30, 2025 1:28 pm I believe the most difficult part of mounting an auxiliary outboard on an is the limited flat surface on the stern, allowing clearance for the rudders.. Highlander made a special mount which curved around the starboard side. I don’t have any photos. Maybe he see’s this post and adds his undeniable mod expertise.

P.S. if I remember from other posts on this topic, 4HP will move an in calm seas and not against the tide. If I’m wrong, someone with experience (Not Theory) will correct me.

Thanks for your insight, was trying to lookup Highlanders mod. Still looking he has a lot of posts

Send John an email. You will find it when you press on
Highlander

NiceAft wrote: ↑Sun Mar 30, 2025 7:29 pm

Shane anthony wrote: ↑Sun Mar 30, 2025 4:58 pm

NiceAft wrote: ↑Sun Mar 30, 2025 1:28 pm I believe the most difficult part of mounting an auxiliary outboard on an is the limited flat surface on the stern, allowing clearance for the rudders.. Highlander made a special mount which curved around the starboard side. I don’t have any photos. Maybe he see’s this post and adds his undeniable mod expertise.

P.S. if I remember from other posts on this topic, 4HP will move an in calm seas and not against the tide. If I’m wrong, someone with experience (Not Theory) will correct me.

Thanks for your insight, was trying to lookup Highlanders mod. Still looking he has a lot of posts

Send John an email. You will find it when you press on
Highlander

Great Thanks!

NiceAft wrote: ↑Sun Mar 30, 2025 1:28 pm P.S. if I remember from other posts on this topic, 4HP will move an in calm seas and not against the tide. If I’m wrong, someone with experience (Not Theory) will correct me.

My 2.5hp on my dinghy pushed my Mac along nicely at around 5mph in normal (calm) seas.

As you mentioned, the trick is mounting the thing. I wish there were an easy location. I've always thought in an emergency I could use my dinghy and motor as a tug alongside of the boat.

Lugging all that extra stuff has lost its luster. My dinghy and motor are in the garage all the time now. I maintain the outboard, clean fuel, good filters and hope it will keep running. ONE time the motor started running poorly at the beginning of the season. Changing the spark plugs fixed it.

At the risk of jinxing myself, my motor has run very well. I always use ethanol free gas and installed a pre-filter water separator. So far so good.

NiceAft wrote: ↑Sun Mar 30, 2025 1:28 pm I believe the most difficult part of mounting an auxiliary outboard on an is the limited flat surface on the stern, allowing clearance for the rudders.. Highlander made a special mount which curved around the starboard side. I don’t have any photos. Maybe he see’s this post and adds his undeniable mod expertise.

P.S. if I remember from other posts on this topic, 4HP will move an in calm seas and not against the tide. If I’m wrong, someone with experience (Not Theory) will correct me.

Thanks for the info, I think I’m understanding the special mount. One way to do it would basically be to turn a small section of the rounded corner of the boat to a 90° corner with a couple SS steel plates welded at a tapered 90° then bolt one side to the stern and the other to the side. Something I could build out of thin plywood to get all the angles and a good visual, Hopefully it wouldn’t look to ugly.

FYI suggestion. Replace the plywood spacers you refer to with $ store cutting boards. It’s inexpensive, and won’t rot, and can be cut, molded and might not even need painting.

WinSome wrote: ↑Tue Apr 01, 2025 5:24 am FYI suggestion. Replace the plywood spacers you refer to with $ store cutting boards. It’s inexpensive, and won’t rot, and can be cut, molded and might not even need painting.

Sorry, I wasn’t very clear about it. I was just going to use the plywood for making a template.

Shane anthony said:

Thanks for the info, I think I’m understanding the special mount. One way to do it would basically be to turn a small section of the rounded corner of the boat to a 90° corner with a couple SS steel plates welded at a tapered 90° then bolt one side to the stern and the other to the side. Something I could build out of thin plywood to get all the angles and a good visual, Hopefully it wouldn’t look to ugly.

I think Highlander made a mold that fit the curve. Hopefully he see’s this thread and responds.

NiceAft wrote: ↑Tue Apr 01, 2025 11:13 am Shane anthony said:

Thanks for the info, I think I’m understanding the special mount. One way to do it would basically be to turn a small section of the rounded corner of the boat to a 90° corner with a couple SS steel plates welded at a tapered 90° then bolt one side to the stern and the other to the side. Something I could build out of thin plywood to get all the angles and a good visual, Hopefully it wouldn’t look to ugly.

I think Highlander made a mold that fit the curve. Hopefully he see’s this thread and responds.

That would be great!

I was thinking along the same lines but with their electric saltwater model. At about 20lbs I could keep it attached to the rail until needed. Wasn't sure that one would fit on the transom either.
Hate to haul a dinghy.
Larry

Shane

I too, as relatively new to large boat sailing, wondered about aux power options for my M as well. Nothing like having a plan b that would get you back to port - even if slowly. The M doesn't have good aux motor mounting spots like the X so I will follow this chat to see where it goes with respect to mounting options - even if only temporary for emergencies only. That small outboard you found looks like it has the right characteristics - light, and skinny. It would be great if it could fit on the well beside the main engine with or without having to raise the rudders. It will be interesting to see what comes of this discussion. The subject brings to mind those outboards used in SE Asia that essentially look like whipper snippers with a propeller on the end of a very long pole. Checking on Google, it appears converting weed wackers to outboards is a thing: https://www.pdbmagazine.com/2017/04/pdb ... conversion Now you just need a way to mount one on the rear rail of an M.

See if this is the Auxillary stern mount for an

https://macgregorsailors.com/mods/index ... em&id=1931

Why you cannot use long screws to fix the bracket? And control the distance with nuts and washers?