fiberglass wedge for 4 stroke

[sol y mar]

I bought a 1979 oday 25 last year, and decided to update and repair as much over the winter. My biggest problem occurred when I tried to remount my new merc 9.9 bigfoot outboard four stroke. I had replaced the 1980 Johnson two stroke, and the fiberglass wedge obviously was not large enough. After reading many posts regarding a common problem I decided to contact a friend who owned a fiberglass repair business, and served many of the boaters at my marina. He used my old two stroke wedge and fabricated another wedge (all the angles the same as the old) to fit my new garelick four stroke 71091 bracket. All I did then was to fill the old holes and drill new holes. I have used the boat and motor this summer, and could not be happier, because it works, and it looks like original. I asked Scott from S&S Marine yesterday when I saw him if he kept the pattern for my wedge, because there may be others who could use the help. He said he had, and would be happy to talk to anyone who would be interested in a replacement wedge, and could email pictures from my project. His email is scottsenk@aol.com
Hope this can help someone else.
Hank

 

[Joe]

Garelick Bracket

Hank,
Are you able to leave this bracket set in one position and just tilt your outboard up when you're not using it. I'm curious about this because I want to be able to just use the tilt on my outboard and not have to bother with the bracket when it's set. Here's a picture of mine. I'm thinking of replacing my bracket some day soon.
Joe

 

[sol y mar]

Wedge clearance

Joe
I do raise and lower my garelick 71091 each time because of the ease in doing so.
With the angle of the wedge, it puts the outboard further away from the transom than if you mounted directly on the transom. I could tilt my motor as it is now mounted in either the up or down position, if I wanted too. Because I have remote controls, I would need to turn the motor, then tilt (as your photo shows)so the lines wouldn't bend too much.
Hank

 

[Ross in Tampa]

Joe, you and I have the same...

bimini top manufacturer, what are the odds.

Ross in Tampa

 

[Joe]

The odds are good Ross

I'd really love to have a Bimini Top, but I don't want to pay a lot of money for something that is going to be in my way when I'm sailing and fishing. Obviously the polytarp would be in my way if I wanted to troll for Blue Fish or Stripers, but at least I can remove it with no trouble. If there is an easier way, I'll find it. If there isn't I'll just "forgetaboutit".
Joe

 

[Joe]

Thanks Hank

I've been tilting my engine because my cheap bracket really doesn't raise and lower all that easy, but maybe I would lift my engine too, it I had a better bracket. I'm going to look into possibly getting one of these engine brackets.
Thanks again.
Joe

 

[pbud]

outboard bracket

Joe I put on the garelick 7091 on my 222 last year and Ican tilt the motor up but usually just lift it out ofthe water with bracket since it is easier. I have a honda 9.9 which is heavier than your motor.

 

[Dennis]

This is a great find

Hank,
Wow, I too have a 1979 O'Day 25 and have been thinking about doing what you have already done. I will be e-mailing Scott right after this posting.

I too want to replace my outboard wedge. I'm luck enough to report the my bracket is still good shape, and the mounting wedge is solid. I want to replace mine to address the issue of the outboard rocking back and forth during heavier weather conditions. As you can see from my location, I do my boating on Lake Erie. Some of the trips can be pretty long sails, which means I have been caught in some heavy weather. When heavy weather comes the waves can get "interesting". Like all sailors you reef and adjust to smaller head sails. Once the boat is handling the weather well your attention turns to that small outboard bracket that is rocking back and forth with the weight of the outboard. The OEM bracket is still in good shape. The issue (I believe) is that the motor rocks back and forth because the narrow stance of the brackets arms. The 4 stoke bracket seem to have a much wider bracket stance.

Garrelick has a 2 stroke (my engine) bracket listed on their web page that has basically two of the OEM brackets side by side. Therefore the centerline stance is much wider. I'd like to give this bracket some serious thought. Luckly Garelick lists the dimensions of the mounting bracket. Unfortunately Garelick does not list the dimensions of your bracket. Do you have that info?
Now that you have the heavier motor and a wider stance bracket, do you see outboard motor rock?

Feedback, comments, and opinions are always welcome. My thought process could be all wrong.

 

[sol y mar]

wedge

Dennis
You didnt mention what size or type of outboard you are using. If it is a four stroke, then the original wedge and bracket will be less than adequate for the extra weight and torque of the four stroke. With the new wedge and garelick bracket, there is no movement of the outboard at all. Scott also advised reinforcement on the inside of the transom (extra backing behind the wedge area). Scott should also have measurements that will be helpful, but if he doesnt, email me and I will get them for you next time I go to the boat (week after this comming one). If you go with this, I know you will be pleased, because it looks like an Oday original.
Hank

 

[Joe]

Thank you, Peter!

If I do get a Garelick bracket, I'll probably wind up using the bracket to lift the outboard too, instead of tilting the engine up.
Joe