Does an outboard have to be locked down?

[Ward H]

My Newport 17 has what looks like the original motor mount. I know the 60lb 4 stroke I hung on it is much heavier than it was designed for but I figured if once we get sailing we can decide if we want to invest in a new motor bracket. The Garreck brackets (SP?) look nice but they have a wider foot print for mounting so I would need to reinforce the transom before mounting it.

So, my current bracket has a u shaped bracket which must be pushed down to unlatch the locking mechanism to lower or raise the bracket. That unlocking bracket is low, just about at the pivot points of the bracket.
With the motor in the lowered position, I must lean way over, use one hand to push down the unlocking bracket, while pulling up on the motor hand grab with one hand. So I am reaching over the transom about 12" or more, pushing down with one hand and trying to lift the 60lb motor with the other. The bracket springs are old and probably never designed to counter balance that much weight.

For a temporary fix, I believe I can fill in the notch used to lock the bracket in the lower position. I can use JB Weld to fill in the that notch and count on the motor weight to keep the motor lowered. I then would be able to put a strap on the motor hand hold and use both hands to raise the motor without having to lean over the stransom.

My question is this. Is there an issue with not locking down motor in the down position?

BTW, there is not enough room to tilt back the motor while it is in the lowered position.

In the 2nd phot you cans see the u shaped piece that needs to be pushed down. In the 3rd photo you can see the notch in the bottom of the top arm near the silver plate.

Thanks

 

[Benny17441]

I would not recommend it. If you get into any kind of wave or wake action the transom of the boat will move up and down with the engine momentarily trying to stay in place before crashing down due to gravity. As the engine starts to go down the transom may be coming back up which may result in a jolt the old mount may be unable to handle. If you sail in a lake perhaps it would only be power boat wakes that you may have to worry about. Engine mounts are rated by engine weight and with an outboard weighing 60 lbs you could be close to the limit not to mention that the age of the unit could have weakened it. Whatever you do I would replace the bolts holding the mount to the transom with new ones and attach a safety cable to the outboard.

 

[Nodak7]

Definitely attach a safety cable! Not locked down that engine is like a loose cannon and if you are not very careful the transom will be damaged. When you turn the motor it creates a forces that will try to bring the engine up. You can compensate a bit under a normal situation but if you get into a tight spot and have to use power that is when you will have troubles and put you, your passengers and the boat in danger.

 

[Merlin Clark]

My OB (25' shaft Tohastu) mounts in a notch in the transom. When it's tilted up the foot is clear of the water.
So, I'm wondering if something like this: http://www.iboats.com/Vertical-Tran...t+Listings-_-Product+Listing-_-NA&kw={keyword}
would provide enough clearance for the head and cover with the motor tilted up? Is yours a long shaft motor Ward?

 

[Ward H]

Tohatsu 4 up 4 stroke long shaft. I will be in Manahawkin Bay so wave and wake action are a factor. Tiller and traveler are in the way of a center transom mounted motor.
I do use a tether to secure the motor.
So, that idea is out. Next idea is a handle i can use from an upright position to push down while pull up on a strap. Maybe if I am not awkwardly bent over it will be easier.
I have a week of day sailing planned next week If that goes well and the Admiral has fun, we will either invest in a new bracket or trade up to a nicer boat.

 

[Warren Milberg]

Bite the bullet and buy and properly install a new OB bracket. The type of bracket you currently have doesn't seem suited for the weight and torque of a 60 lb 4 hp motor. Perhaps more importantly, it appears in the second pic that the mounting area for your current bracket is cracked. If so, you'll need to properly repair that area and build up the area behind it inside the transom for a new mount. You will be amazed at how easily a new and correctly sized bracket will make raising and lowering your motor. This isn't something you want to be worrying about.

 

[Nodak7]

Tohatsu 4 up 4 stroke long shaft. I will be in Manahawkin Bay so wave and wake action are a factor. Tiller and traveler are in the way of a center transom mounted motor.
I do use a tether to secure the motor.
So, that idea is out. Next idea is a handle i can use from an upright position to push down while pull up on a strap. Maybe if I am not awkwardly bent over it will be easier.
I have a week of day sailing planned next week If that goes well and the Admiral has fun, we will either invest in a new bracket or trade up to a nicer boat.

I guarantee you Ward if you go out with the Admiral and have trouble with this bracket (like getting stranded, breaking it off or get hurt) she will not be impressed! You would be better off repairing the mount correctly before you take her out! For two additional reasons: It will add to the resale of the boat (whether the Admiral likes it or not). Be much a safer outing and be one less concern for you on your first outing.

 

[bffatcat]

outboard bracket

Listen to Warren buy a new bracket Its not worth the grief to go with ab unsuitable bracket

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

Looks exactly like the engine mount I have. I screwed a block of wood on top of the U-shaped locking bracket, so I could step on it, then pull the engine up. A strap on the engine to use to pull it up is a good idea. I also extended the starter rope so it reaches into the cockpit, so my wife could start the engine. With the added block, she can raise the engine also- she's 5'2, 110 pounds

You can find new springs to increase the weigh capacity also. Good mount- been using it for some 10 years now

 

[Tommy T]

With the motor not locked down, it could come up when put in reverse.

 

[Ward H]

You guys make a good point!

TSBB 2, your idea sounds like what I have been thinking about today except I plan to keep both feet inside the boat. I was thinking of something like a crutch the right length so I could on lean on it, then pick up the OB with a strap.

I did find a Garelick 71042 bracket which is listed for a 2 stroke 7 to 20 HP and up to 80 lbs. The nice thing is that the backing plate is the same size as the existing bracket. Since it bolts to a hump built into the transom that really simplifies things. The specs say not to use it with a 4 stroke 9.9 OB but my 4hp is well under the HP rating and 75% of weight rating.

The cracks seen in the photos are in the gel coat. I've hung my 230 lbs off the bracket and there is no flex in the cracks. I carved them out a bit in prep for filling in so they look worse than they are.
I'll have to cut an opening from the inside of the transom for access and install a plate afterwards. I will reinforce the whole area from the inside with backing plate and epoxy.

I know Warren and everyone else is right. Why do I want a hassle with an old, hard to use, bracket that may give way when I need it most. Plus Benny is right about replacing the old bolts.

Thanks guys for help. I will make time to replace the bracket before my trip.

ward

 

[Joe]

Ward............ just leave it down the whole time.. it's not worth the hassle... and your wife sure won't know.... unless of course you throw out your back fooling with the damn thing. Speedwise, it won't make that much difference unless you want to race another newport 17.

Just pretend it's an inboard... and go sailing... quit stressing about the motor.

I leave my motor down when I sail....unless I race... which is rare anymore.

 

[Ward H]

Thanks Joe,
That common sense advice just saved me a lot of time and money!