Motor mount for a small outboard?

[loreo51]

We have these 3 fittings which we're wondering if they are for mounting an outboard. We don't have the kicker yet but are looking to stow it below if it's not to heavy. So far we've only seen the typical bracket that I see on most boats Any insight would be appreciated. This is our 1st post. This is a 23' 1974 Coronado.Tahnks
Laurie and Dave

 

[jssailem]

Welcome to the SBO forum. It’s possible that those fittings were used for a motor mount. Most outboard motor mounts are hard contacted (screwed) to the transom. They use backing on the inside of the transom to reinforce it.

I would decide upon the outboard before I worried about the mount. The type of outboard and the weight of the outboard will influence the type of mounting necessary.

Have you considered electrical outboard, such as an ePropulsion spirit plus? Spirit 1.0 Plus Electric Outboard Motor
It’s light weight and design will influence the mount you might consider.

 

[jssailem]

The type of auxiliary power you use is influenced by how and where you plan to sail.

 

[loreo51]

Welcome to the SBO forum. It’s possible that those fittings were used for a motor mount. Most outboard motor mounts are hard contacted (screwed) to the transom. They use backing on the inside of the transom to reinforce it.

I would decide upon the outboard before I worried about the mount. The type of outboard and the weight of the outboard will influence the type of mounting necessary.

Have you considered electrical outboard, such as an ePropulsion spirit plus? Spirit 1.0 Plus Electric Outboard Motor
It’s light weight and design will influence the mount you might consider.

Excellent, I'll check that out.thanks!

 

[Foswick]

This is a little bit of a mystery. I don't know, but it appears that all 5 brackets are the same, and my assumption is the two central brackets are for a removable rudder. So, if that is true, then part of the mystery is that a previous owner probably installed all 5 brackets at about the same time. (That is making some assumptions, but just going on what little we have to go on.)

So, for me, part of the question is why the original rudder mounts were replaced and how it was that this coincided with the motivation to install the other three. Maybe it was just coincidence or the owner decided that, as long as they had to do one thing, they might as well do the other thing at the same time.

It is an odd choice of hardware for a motor mount, but I like the hypothesis that it is more for an electric trolling motor or similar. It is just too lightweight for anything but a very small motor. I would also be inclined to think along the lines of a swim ladder/platform, but my hunch is that isn't it.

My approach to these sorts of mysteries is to look carefully at wear patterns, both on the brackets themselves and the surrounding area. You can't use anything without leaving some evidence as to how it was used (little scratches, scuffs, residue, etc.)

 

[loreo51]

Very astute. I do believe you have solved my mystery. I find it interesting there is no evidence of wear so could've been for anything but a motor. We will proceed with the typical mount we see on most all small sailboats. Thanks so much for your insight. Laurie

 

[FDL S2]

We have these 3 fittings which we're wondering if they are for mounting an outboard. We don't have the kicker yet but are looking to stow it below if it's not to heavy. So far we've only seen the typical bracket that I see on most boats Any insight would be appreciated. This is our 1st post. This is a 23' 1974 Coronado.Tahnks
Laurie and Dave View attachment 231739

that is exactly what it is-the attached pictures are a motor mount for a Coronado MKII (also 23ft), that I’ve had laying around for years.
By the way, I am on the other side of Wisconsin.

 

[loreo51]

You know....there is a 1974 promotion YouTube and it was really hard to see but I thought it was that. Are you selling it? We just bought a 8 horse Yachtwin. Thanks for your reply!

 

[danooxnard]

This is just my opinion but I would not trust that mount with an 8 horse motor
Dano

 

[FDL S2]

You know....there is a 1974 promotion YouTube and it was really hard to see but I thought it was that. Are you selling it? We just bought a 8 horse Yachtwin. Thanks for your reply!

I would be willing to send it to you for the cost of shipping or if you are going to be anywhere near Fond du Lac we can meet up. You can private message me for details.

 

[FDL S2]

This is just my opinion but I would not trust that mount with an 8 horse motor
Dano

The 8hp yacht twin is a two stroke and weighs about 65lbs. We had two stroke Johnson 9.9 on the mount and never had any issues with it being strong enough. It really depends on how the gudgeons are mounted to the transom. If they are throughbolted tight and backed with a plate they should be fine.

 

[loreo51]

This is just my opinion but I would not trust that mount with an 8 horse motor
Dano

Yes, it's a possibility. When we get the motor we can review. We just saw a video of two 300 horse Suzukis getting detached from the transom under power is pretty sad

 

[loreo51]

I would be willing to send it to you for the cost of shipping or if you are going to be anywhere near Fond du Lac we can meet up. You can private message me for details.

Thanks...I'm looking up Fond du Lac now.

 

[jssailem]

I had a 15-foot trailerable boat. It came with a 2-cycle Mariner outboard. Lightweight and movable to the cabin when not in use or transit. Oil and gasoline would spill when I lay it down inside the cabin. When on the transom, it affected the boat's sailing performance.

I solved the drag issue by installing a motor mount that lifted the outboard out of the water. It looked like this—image from a Catalina 27.

There is a large backing plate inside the boat to secure the motor mount. If not, the mount will damage the sailboat's transom.

An eight-horsepower outboard can exert a significant amount of force on any mount and the transom. Be careful to address this issue properly.

I would recommend an ePropulsion Spirit Plus motor for a small sailboat. The lack of noise during operation, combined with the current state of battery technology, allows for the avoidance of fuel fumes and oil messes. The times have changed.

 

[loreo51]

Thanks. Yes lifting it out while still on the transom will be essential. I misspoke when I said an 8 horse. It is actually a 6 horse...and with the original 3 rod system we would need to take it off so...all in the planning stage and appreciate your insight. Thanks.

 

[pgandw]

When I was young and stupid (and strong), I had an ODay 25 with an electric start Chrysler Sailor 250 (9.9hp). Fantastic motor but NOT fuel efficient (1 gal/hr). When I trailered the boat, I would lift that motor on and off the motor bracket on the transom and lay it in the back of the Suburban tow vehicle.

Got back into sailing 3 years ago, and decades later with an ODay (Stuart) Mariner 19 that had a motor bracket to raise/lower motor. Bracket sticker said not for 4 cycle motors, but got a used Honda 5hp anyway. When it started, it was a great motor and very fuel efficient (less than 1/2 gal/hr). Well, I ain't as young and stupid, nor as strong, as I used to be. Lifting that motor (60lbs) on and off the boat was a real pain, especially when I would have to take the motor to the shop because it wouldn't start. Gave up and spent the $$ for an Epropulsion Spirit 1 Plus (3hp equivalent) and haven't looked back. Use the same bracket for the Spirit after tightening some of the bracket bolts that the Honda had vibrated loose. Bracket mount bolts had decent backing plates - I checked.

Only issue is the Spirit's tiller arm swings down, not up. So tilting the motor is more of a pain than it needs to be. But my shoulders, arms, ears, and the back of my car thank me every day for switching to electric.

Fred W

 

[loreo51]

Great advice! Thanks