4-stroke outboard bracket

Status
Not open for further replies.
K

Kevin

I am replacing my 1978 Johnson 2 stroke with a new Yamaha 9.9 4stroke engine. I am concerned about the outboard bracket. I know I need a new bracket because of the added torque = What I need is some advise on which bracket to buy - so that it fits onto the 1978 O'Day 25 wedge - without drilling - I really don't want to drill any new holes!
 
R

Rich / O'272

bracket replacement

Kevin... I'm in the same situation, needing to replace a tired old bracket on an '87 boat. I will eventually replace my Yamaha 9.9 2 stroke with a 4 stroke and, with that in mind, I have zeroed in on the Garelick #71090 bracket. This bracket is designed specifically for the loads, etc. encountered with the 4 stroke. My 272 also has a "wedge" on the transom, to angle the engine properly, but the heavier constructed 4 stroke brackets are dimensionally larger than the factory supplied bracket and won't fit the wedge. My approach will be to remove the old bracket and wedge, fill the holes where required, and drill new mounting holes on the transom. I don't ever like drilling holes in a boat hull, if possible, but I don't see any way around it. I may be wrong, but I think the bracket can be mounted without using a wedge on the transom. There should be enough adjustment in both the bracket and the the outboard itself to square things up and align the shaft perpendicular to the water. Making a template and marking the hull (measure thrice, drill once) helps me feel comfortable drilling fiberglass. There are marine plywood squares inside the transom and they distribute the load accordingly but, given the weight, torque, etc. of the 4 stroke, I plan to add 1/8" stainless plates (4"x4")to the plywood to further support the mount. Have I missed anything?
 
K

Kevin

Thanks Rich -

I am still concerned about the wedge - seems that you are too - The question is - should there be something between the new bracket and the transom - seems that the wedge did absorb a lot of the stress - will the transom accept that load? -
 
R

Rich / 0'272

The "wedge"

Actually, I'm not concerned about not using a wedge. The one on my boat measures considerably smaller that the footprint of the Garelick bracket I intend to use. Using this bracket, even without the wedge, will result in spreading the load over a broader area of the transom. It's kinda like the stability of my English Bulldog; he's hard to knock over because of his broad stance. The wedge is there to help align an engine that has little adjustment to it. Look at the angle of your transom. It's probably a bit reversed and the wedge adjusts for this by allowing the engine bracket to mount at a straight up and down plane. There are several O'25s at my marina and many have successfully mounted their new brackets (Garelick and Fulton)without the wedge. Next time I'm there, I'll try to remember to take the camera. My feeling is that it's most important to put plenty of backing (plates, etc.) behind the bracket, inside the transom. That way, you're less apt to pull the whole rig off the back of the boat should the unthinkable happen. Hope this makes sense!
 
R

Rich / O'272

One other item...

I've done a good bit of research on brackets and have not found any that will both 1) support the needs of a four stroke engine (load, etc.) and 2) match the holes in your factory wedge. You're gonna have to go bigger.
 
Jun 2, 2004
1,438
Oday 25 pittsburgh
Kevin,

It doesn't hurt to put those backing plates Rich O'272 mentioned inside and out. The inside one keeps the motor on in reverse and the one outside keeps it on the outside. r.w.landau
 
D

Dennis McGuire

Related Item

I am re-powering my O'day 25 and I would like to know if there is any discussion about engine size. What is the hull speed of the O'day 25? Is a 9.9 horsepower motor sufficient? Is a 15 HP motor too large? I would like to use the motor for extended motoring.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.