Engine Mount

[Lori1818]

We recently bought a really nice little O'Day 22 that we put out in the local marina in a slip. Slowly but surely we have been getting it ready to be able to take out, it was in good shape but needed some little things, like a new motor. Went out and bought a nice 5.5hp 4 stroke motor, and put it on the back of the boat. Then, last week I made a discovery...there is a difference between a 2 stroke motor and a 4 stroke motor. Not only that, but the mount that I have on my boat is NOT made for use with a 4 stroke motor. Went down to the West Marine store and ordered a new mount, and was told when it came in that there is no way I can mount it on the wedge that is on the transom, as it will just rip it out when we start the motor. I have looked around a bit on this site and have found some descriptions of new things to do, but no real instructions. So, my question is this...does anyone have a good idea for a way I can fix the mount, between now and Sunday when we have the sailing instructor coming out to take us out. Or should I just give up and put the old crappy motor back on for just that couple of days, and either build a new wedge or something?

 

[Banshee14018]

go for it and fix the mount .

First thing do the holes in the new 1 go into the same place has the old 1" If so just make a tin plate of your mount where it is fit against the transom and mark the holes then you take a electric drill and drill holes through the transom and make a plate out of some good material that strong and bore holes in it then put the blots that go there right through the mount then the transom and through the tin plate and bolt the whole thing on good and tite it will not tear out or of if uyou use something like 1/4 allumineaum or so strong but lite material like that .I did that with mine because it only had a 8 hp merc and I mounted a 15hp honda on to it so I had to reinforce my mounting to the transom .

 

[jackhartjr]

Lori...why do you say it won't work?

Is it that the new motor won't fit the old mount, which is doubtful.Or did you read that you shouldn't use a 4 stroke mortor with that mount?It was designed to take a 9.9HP 2 stroke. A 5.5HP 4 stroke surely would not have more torque that a 9.9 2 stroke, so I don't see why it would not work.Jack

 

[Lori1818]

Size difference

The new mount is 7 1/2" x 7 1/2", the wedge is 9"x5". The guy at the Marine store said that the motor would just rip right out of the transom.I did read that I shouldn't use a 4 stroke motor with that mount, and it does appear to be leaning a bit.

 

[jackhartjr]

Lori...as memory serves me...

...it only tightens at the top. If you have 5 inches of support going down, and it is tightened down properly, I don't see that it would move.You need to make sure the mount and brackets are still strong, I would look for rot at the backing plate for the mount on the boat. The reason they say not to use those mounts for a 4 stroke is the extra torque the 4 stroke puts out. However you have a 5.5HP 4 stroke, which I am sure does not have more torque than a 9.9 2 strke which is what the mount was made for.As far as the folks that said the motor would rip out of the transom just might be because they sell mounts!?Call me at 828-310-8111 if you like...I am up for another half hour or so.Jack

 

[Lori1818]

So...

Are you saying that I may not even need this new mount? I am having a guy (who has no interest in selling anything) come out to help me with this tomorrow night. He is the same guy who helped us decide to buy this particular boat, and he seems to think that you are right, I should not have any difficulty with the mount that is on the boat now, because of the low hp of the new motor. I appreciate all the help y'all have given me tonight, thanks so much. I will probably be asking more questions as this adventure progresses.

 

[jackhartjr]

Lori...it's not as much about HP...

...as it is about torque.If you have a 9.9HP 2 stroke and a 9.9HP 4 stroke the extra torque on the 4 stroke is enough to probably twist the mount at the transom. However with the 5.5HP I personally don't think you have to worry about the torque.We are assuming the mount is good all the way back to the bolts and backing plate that hold it on the transom.One other thing is the weight of the motor. The 9.9 2 strokes were about 80 to 90 pounds which I recall is at the upper limit of the mounts capability. I don't know what the 5.5HP 4 stroke weighs...I am thinking much less that the weight of a 9.9 2 stroke.If you have photos post them...we all like the pictures!And one more thing...fair winds...and happy sailing!Good that you are getting lessons...a very smart thing to do!Jack

 

[Lori1818]

Photos

I uploaded a few photos, of course they are all of the boat in its slip, it hasn't made it out yet. But it is really very clean now, and the teak is all oiled, and it is stocked for us to take it out. The plan is to have lessons this weekend, and hopefully within the next few weeks take it out to the middle of the lake and anchor and spend the night. I will let you guys know tonight what Ben says about the mount, I think he may say that we need to replace the one we have with one just like it, since it does appear to be bent on one corner...

 

[Lori1818]

Update

Well, it ended up that we used the old mount with new washers and bolts. We didn't get to take her out last weekend, but hopefully will be able to this coming up. I hope we can! We have had her for more than a month now and haven't had her out of the slip yet!