I was thinking last night as I was nodding off to sleep about all the things I want to do before the season for sailing up here in Wisconsin kicks in. One of the major projects is to remount and seal the motor mount. I have a problem though, that the previous owner had as well. The bracket doesn't mount directly to the transom. On mine, there is a fiberglass wedge that stands off the transom. This gives the mounting bracket a vertical surface to mount to. As far as I can see, it is glued to the transom. There are holes thru both this and the transom to facilitate the bolting of the racket. The problem is that both surfaces for bolt and nut aren't vertical. The standoff is 90 degrees vertical from the ground but the transom adds about a 15 to 20 degree rake. What happens is when I bolt down the mount, it puts pressure on the transom at an angle. The bolt head will be tight on the top end and loose on the bottom. The previous owner had used washers, but these started to dig into the fiberglass and crush it at the top of the washer. I thought I'd just use larger washers, but the same problem would eventually result. About the only thing I thought I could do is get create another standoff on the inside of the transom or some sort of wedges to get even out the surfaces, making the pressure on the washers uniform. Anyone out there have any suggestions?? Josh
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One Idea...
Josh, I think your right on track about that inside wedge, but instead of a wedge, why not angle and countersink the mounting nut and washer hole the 15 degree. Such that the bolt and nut are perpendicular to the outside mounting wedge.I would make it out of 2" hardwood, that would allow the nut to be snugged to the plate and not crush the inside fiberglass of the transom. If your not confident in your drilling, have a cabinet maker with a drill press make it for you. A base jig angled to the 15 degrees could be made and the plate mounted to this while being drilled out. I would use a large countersinking bit, the diameter of your washer. I have included a sketch. Hope it is all clear for you. Don
Josh, I think your right on track about that inside wedge, but instead of a wedge, why not angle and countersink the mounting nut and washer hole the 15 degree. Such that the bolt and nut are perpendicular to the outside mounting wedge.I would make it out of 2" hardwood, that would allow the nut to be snugged to the plate and not crush the inside fiberglass of the transom. If your not confident in your drilling, have a cabinet maker with a drill press make it for you. A base jig angled to the 15 degrees could be made and the plate mounted to this while being drilled out. I would use a large countersinking bit, the diameter of your washer. I have included a sketch. Hope it is all clear for you. Don
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I agree with Don
Josh, Once again I have to give Don Evans the BIG thumbs up. His idea makes perfect sense and in my opinion is the only way to go. just my 2cents................ keep us informed RichJ
Josh, Once again I have to give Don Evans the BIG thumbs up. His idea makes perfect sense and in my opinion is the only way to go. just my 2cents................ keep us informed RichJ
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