Outboard Motor Mount Wedge on the 222

[O’Day 222]

Are these “outboard motor mount wedges” necessary on the 222?

It appears to me as though the transom is closer to vertical without it. The wedge also pushes the motor further back causing the operator to have to reach further back for the controls and maneuvering. The wedge also increases the unnecessary leverage of a heavy outboard mounted on the transom.

Is the sole purpose of this wedge an effort to bring the mounting area of the outboard motor mount closer to vertical?

Thank You,

Rod
Oriental, NC

 

[dlochner]

The angle to be concerned with is the angle of the motor shaft when the motor is deployed. It should be close to vertical, so the thrust from the prop is parallel to the water line.

There are 2 places to adjust the angle, a series of adjusting holes on the motor itself and the angle of the mount.

In order to know if the wedge is needed, we need to see the motor on the mount and in the lowered operating position and the raised stowed position.

As for weight, a 22' boat only needs a 5 or 6hp motor to move it at hull speed in most conditions. The spring on the motor mount should provide extra oomph to raise and lower the motor.

To maneuver. steer with the rudder not the motor it is much easier than reaching back to the motor tiller. If you want better throttle control, consider getting a tiller extender for the motor.

 

[Timm R Oday25]

I would agree whole heartedly . Never in the history of manufacturing would a company add something (like the wedges) unless absolutely neccessary. I'm going to go out on a limb and say once the motor is in the down position it would be very clse to vertical . The motor has adjustments to tilt further back . Without the wedges ,I doubt the motor would be even close

 

[JBP-PA]

I would agree whole heartedly . Never in the history of manufacturing would a company add something (like the wedges) unless absolutely neccessary. I'm going to go out on a limb and say once the motor is in the down position it would be very clse to vertical . The motor has adjustments to tilt further back . Without the wedges ,I doubt the motor would be even close

But why are they necessary? My outboard adjusts to fit anything between a vertical transom/mount through a steep angle, keeping the engine vertical, yet my boat also has a designed in deliberate angle. Are there some outboards that can't adjust to near vertical mount?

 

[JBP-PA]

To maneuver. steer with the rudder not the motor it is much easier than reaching back to the motor tiller. If you want better throttle control, consider getting a tiller extender for the motor.

When docking at dead slow, being able to steer with the engine is wonderful when the tiller doesn't do much, especially when backing.

 

[dlochner]

When docking at dead slow, being able to steer with the engine is wonderful when the tiller doesn't do much, especially when backing.

I don't doubt that steering with the motor can be done. I had a Tanzer 22 with an OB for 16 years, never felt the need to use the motor to steer. It just takes some practice. The bonus is skill development if you should ever move up to a larger boat where steering with an OB is impractical or with an inboard, you will know how to steer in close quarters with just the rudder. I also found it much easier to steer without having to lean over the stern to steer.

 

[Timm R Oday25]

But why are they necessary? My outboard adjusts to fit anything between a vertical transom/mount through a steep angle, keeping the engine vertical, yet my boat also has a designed in deliberate angle. Are there some outboards that can't adjust to near vertical mount?

yes , "your motor adjusts " to the near vertical posittion . Why ? I'm guessing because the transom it's mounted on is almost perfectly vertical.
Now look at the transom of the boat in question . Take the wedges out of the lift and see the angle the outboard would have to contend with?
There are quite a few motor lifts that don't have wedges or change angle. I would think it all depends on the application being used.

 

[LloydB]

I suspect that the wedge was installed low on the transom to allow the original lightweight two stroke short shaft outboard to swing entirely out of the water when sailing. Another possibility is that the installer wanted to make certain that the prop would always be in the water no matter how big the following wave was. You can always cut the wedge off and replace it with one more vertical.

 

[Timm R Oday25]

Removing the wedge would increase the angle, would it not ? I think you are confusing the position of the mounting with the wedge itself.Respectfully

 

[dlochner]

I suspect that the wedge was installed low on the transom to allow the original lightweight two stroke short shaft outboard to swing entirely out of the water when sailing. Another possibility is that the installer wanted to make certain that the prop would always be in the water no matter how big the following wave was. You can always cut the wedge off and replace it with one more vertical.

This particular mount allows the motor to be raised mostly out of the water and then tilted to get it completely out of the water. It is mounted low on the transom to insure the prop is deep in clean non turbulent water and to prevent the prop from coming out of the water in a seaway.

If the wedge is removed it might well be impossible to get the motor angle correct.

 

[LloydB]

The point I was attempting to make was if the wedge was remove a new wedge of a different angle could then be installed, or not, along with the multitude of other possibilities. Inboard diesel gas electric compromised sailboat with a motor on it not towed by a submarine.

 

[JBP-PA]

I don't doubt that steering with the motor can be done. I had a Tanzer 22 with an OB for 16 years, never felt the need to use the motor to steer. It just takes some practice. The bonus is skill development if you should ever move up to a larger boat where steering with an OB is impractical or with an inboard, you will know how to steer in close quarters with just the rudder. I also found it much easier to steer without having to lean over the stern to steer.

Actually I cannot steer my boat with the engine, I'm just envious of those who can.