O'Day 23 motor mount.

[AWalker]

I have been thinking about making a new motor mount for my Honda BF15 on the back of my O'Day 23. I have had the Garelick mount on it since I have had it but have been unhappy with the amount of movement in it the entire time. Between worn springs and worn pivot points it was just too sloppy. I welded the mount in the down position to take care of the slop, but I think it is now time to make something better.

The mount I am considering building would be a fixed mount. I don't see a big need to pull the motor up to get it out of the water so long as it will tilt up, unless there is a convincing argument to be able to pull the motor straight up.

I attached some pics of some different mounts That I found interesting. I would likely make it out of aluminum.
One of the nice features of the box type mounts is that the box could be used for storage. I have considered putting an outboard fuel tank there. My use of the outboard is generally about a gallon, but I haven't found the right tank at a price I am willing to pay.

I would love to hear anybody's ideas on the matter.

 

[AWalker]

It would appear that putting the fuel tank in the bracket was a pipe dream. The smallest I found was a 3 gallon, which is what I have already. They are very low and have a 16" length dimension that doesn't change much between brands, and it is just too long a dimension to fit in there and look good.
I could build a tank, but then it would not be USCG approved. I am not sure how problematic that is. I have built several fuel tanks for boats in the past, mostly smal jet boats, but have never paid much heed to it as I was building tanks that matched what was taken out.
Since I have a fuel tank locker, And it was never really an issue, I think I will stick to the plastic tank that I have.

 

[HukilauMike]

I agree with you on the utility (or lack thereof) of being able to raise and lower the engine on the mounting. The springs on the Garelick were just never strong enough to make it really possible to lift the engine from the cockpit. I never found a way to get enough leverage while leaning over (or through) the railings on my Oday 23 to raise the engine at all. I just tilt the engine out. Ironically, I did find the springs to be easy and effective only once; I had backed the boat into my slip so I could take the engine off for "emergency" servicing in the middle of the summer. While standing on the dock directly behind the engine, I lifted the engine mount and engine using the springs. It was really easy and very smooth; you just have to be directly over the unit and pull straight up. I just can't do that from the cockpit.

One thing I will say about the fixed mount idea: you will be tying yourself to making the whole thing work for one particular engine. Your fixed mount will need to be at a particular height and set a particular distance from the transom to fit your existing engine. If you later change engines, your new engine will likely have some different specs, and may not fit as well with your fixed mount. With a moveable mount, you can adjust at least one of the dimensions (up and down) easily without having to switch out the whole thing again. And some of the newer moveable mounts are adjustable in more than one direction. But you seem like a handy guy, so maybe the idea that you may have to build a new mount if you get a new engine isn't a consideration for you. Good luck.

 

[AWalker]

I hadn't considered adjustability for future engines. Perhaps I can make the mounting board adjustable up and down as well.