Might as well start with a beginner question

[Toddowen]

Howdy, all. I'm new to sail and this is my first time posting here on this board.

I recently purchased an Oday Javelin. It has one of those flip-up deals on the transom for a small outboard. And as I've been inspecting it and noticed that the plywood that the outboard attaches onto is slightly spongy, a thought occured to me. I performed a search of threads and didn't see if this issue has been brought up for discussion yet. So here goes with the obligatory slightly less than novice question that I just have to ask-

Has anyone ever Dropped their outboard into the drink?

And no...I don't mean used it as a stirrer for their gin and tonic after a day on the water.


I would think someone must have an experience to share that could benefit those of us who are bummbling jury-riggers from losing a well maintained outboard.


By the way- do those things float? Not sure if I want to find out.

 

[jimmyb]

No never dropped my OB. Yes some have had theirs fall off.
No they don't float.

I would replace the engine backing plate ASAP and attach a small chain lanyard from the engine to a more solid part of the engine mount. I have a fixed mount and run an eyebolt thru one of the four backing plate mounting bolts. I then run a small chain from the eyebolt to the engine. If the plastic backing plate fails the engine will still be held on to by the bolted lanyard.

jimmyb

 

[dscribner]

JimmyB! How are you! Haven't seen hide nor hair of you in forever, since your trip up-Maine a few years back. How are you? PM me.

Todd,

Took my dad and step mom out on a choppy day. At lunch time I was down making sandwiches when my wife screams "THE MOTOR!" so I burst through the companionway to find my kicker wobbling at a precarious angle, threatening to jump. So I unscrewed the clamp that WAS holding, towed it onto the transom, and tied it down. Then I went back to lunch. After eating, I inspected the cause. The clamp is made of a screw about 3/4" in diameter that is bored out and threaded internally on one end. A large washer is screwed to this end. Well, the whole thing had split like a banana and the washer and retaining screw were among the missing. So, in rough seas, I one-handed my 8 HP outboard over the rail (my dad still talks about it) onto the motor mount and cranked everything tight. Then I ran a length of rope though the motor bracket and tied it to both pulpit stanchions. I do this religiously now. If something does let go, the motor should at least dangle for a little while while I get it out of the drink.

Don

 

[justsomeguy]

snip- So, in rough seas, I one-handed my 8 HP outboard over the rail (my dad still talks about it) -snip

Don

:wow: Ain't adrenaline somethin'? Amazing what you can do when you have to!

 

[anchorclanker]

My dad had a nice little motor back in the early 60's. I can vaguely recall seeing it as I was pretty little. But the thing I remember most was my brothers losing it in the Mississippi river somewhere near downtown Minneapolis.

They dont float, in fact they will sink like a rock. If they are running at full throttle when they go in, as water wont compress the rods will likely fold up and its junk.

So, make darn sure the mount is in good condition and well secured to the boat, make sure the motor clamps are real tight, and run a rope or cable to the motor tied to something in the boat just in case. Most motors have a cable eye somewhere near the transom bracket.

 

[kenn]

EVERY outboard should have a safety chain on it. No excuse not to.

Lots of info on the internet about how to save a dunked outboard, but I think the chain idea is less hassle.

To the OP (Todd) - the plate on an outboard bracket that the motor attaches to is easy to replace, and most of the new ones are thick plastic - no more rot. I've also seen nice ones made from plastic stock, if you're handy with a saw and a router.

 

[Toddowen]

Thanks for the helpful replies.

I think I'll try with a metal backing plate. I'm a machinist by trade and should be able to fashion something. And it didn't occur to me to use a chain lanyard as a safeguard.

I picked up this boat with a nice little 4hp Merc and would hate to lose it. It might be worth more than the boat.

 

[Doc_holiday]

Might as well lock it too, although these days, thrives will take it anyway. My buddy just lost a new Tohatsu along with several other motors in his marina to a thief.

 

[chp]

For sure you want to lock it. I've had 2 attempts to steal mine.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

not the best pic but I have a SS U bolt and a padlock(just out of sight on left) and cable for my engine.

does dual roles. security and keeps it out of the water.





-when I was 13, I had a 12' dingy with a 6hp, that I sent to the bottom in 6' of water...

I was surprised how long it ran after being completely under water. -maybe 5 seconds...

I held on to the gas line as it did pirouettes in the sand. (I didn't have the screws tight enough).


after lots and lots of oil and CRC it survived!

 

[Toddowen]

Agree about the thieves. Over the winter I had my power boat completely stripped clean of everything but the outboard. And this while it was high on a rack in dry storage.

The new owners are blaming the old service dept., and they are blaming the new owners.

The laugh is that I've heard the exact same words out of eaches mouth that "We've been hearing that a lot about them."