Outboard Wedge Removal

[geehaw]

Well I need to repair some damage to my transom from all most tearing my rudder off the boat when a rock jumped up under my boat. I want to add a larger outboard wedge to fit my bracket but I need to know how the old one is attached? Is it just glued? I see no screws, mounting bracket is removed. So far only tried to break it loose with my hand. Anyone know?

 

[Ward H]

Cannot answer your question but may I suggest you take a look at your OB and brackets tilt/trim adjustments to see if you really need it?
In my marina there are a few 25s and most have the bracket bolted directly to the transom. No wedge. Between the trim adjustment on my early 2000 bracket and my OB the OB sits just fine without it. Would be much easier if you can make it work.

 

[geehaw]

I am going to look at that possibility. Also migh make an aluminum bracket to replace the wedge if necessary. Being the bracket looks old I think it don't have an adjustment but haven't investigated yet.
I think the age of everything will lead me to no.

 

[agprice22]

I would guess the bracket is through-bolted to the transom, passing right through the wedge. The wedge(s) may be glued as well, but it is probably through-bolted. If you send a picture, we could probably tell.

 

[HukilauMike]

The wedge on my '79 Oday 23 is held on to the transom by the same four carriage bolts that hold the outboard bracket to the wedge; they go through the bracket, into the wedge, then through the transom. The nuts are easily accessed via the seat locker on the same side of the boat as the wedge. If you don't have any bolts showing through the inside of your transom, then the wedge is glued to the transom.

 

[agprice22]

If you don't have any bolts showing through the inside of your transom, then the wedge is glued to the transom.

If the wedge is glued, then how is the outboard bracket attached? Eeek!

 

[geehaw]

The bracket was through bolted through the wedge. Bolts are out but wedge remains attached.

 

[agprice22]

The wedges may have been glued with 3m 4200 or 5200. You will have to carefully slide a knife in to lift it. Do not pry it off. You could try some heat to soften, but heed the speed limit! Go sloooowwww. 5200 can delaminate layers of fiberglass.

 

[geehaw]

It was glued on with some silicon. Came off pretty easy. Decided to make a new wedge as motor mount has no adjustments.

 

[agprice22]

I have a Garelick bracket mounted to my wedges. It adjusts nicely with my 9.9 hp on it.

 

[RichBone]

This is 1/4" plate on mine that's through bolted through the wedge (only two in the picture). Works well and can be made any size to fit the outboard bracket.

 

[Windtherapy]

I am just going to pull my wedge here in a few weeks and add starboard to the inside and outside (glued on) and then bolt my Garelick right through those 2 pieces. I have seen several on here that have done it this way. I believe the wedge is not needed. I only plan on setting my Garelick where I need with the 9.9 dropped and then from there just tilt the damn thing up and down without really using the Garelick's mechanism to pull it up and down. Right now my 9.9 is way too wobbly on the wedge even though the wedge is tight but the old original Garelick is shot.

 

[Brian S]

Windtherapy, check out the Garhauer engine mount.
https://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm/product/707/outboard-motor-mount-four-spring.cfm (There are also 3 and 2 spring versions for lighter motors. I figure your 9.9 would want a 4 spring.)

It has a much more user friendly lifting handle than the Garelick mounts. Sage Marine uses the Garhauer mount on their Sage 17, and probably the Sage Cat when it goes into production in the soon-ish timeframe.

 

[HukilauMike]

One of the big advantages of the wedge is that it holds the engine further away from the boat than it would be if directly mounted to the transom. On my boat, this allows me to tilt the engine up when not in use (and avoid having to wrestle with using the bracket's lifting mechanism); I don't think there would be room to make that tilt without the wedge. Make sure you will have room to tilt the engine if you don't have the wedge.