I'll be taking delivery of a 1994 H40.5 in 10 days. I'm currently in the market for a dinghy but have a concern about stowing the outboard motor. Is there a particular location and mount that works best considering the stern rail seats? Bill Jones
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Put it next to the stern seat
I have a '95 29.5 and mount the dinghy outboard mount (plastic West Marine type) on the top rail next to the stern seats. It makes a good armrest and is out of the way. The motor's lower unit rests against the lower rail with a pair of grey socks wrapped around the unit to prevent scratches, etc. Edson makes an excellent mount where the lower unit is supported, but it's pricey (around $150-200). My West Marine $10 model works just fine.
I have a '95 29.5 and mount the dinghy outboard mount (plastic West Marine type) on the top rail next to the stern seats. It makes a good armrest and is out of the way. The motor's lower unit rests against the lower rail with a pair of grey socks wrapped around the unit to prevent scratches, etc. Edson makes an excellent mount where the lower unit is supported, but it's pricey (around $150-200). My West Marine $10 model works just fine.
Put it next to the stern seat
I have a '95 29.5 and mount the dinghy outboard mount (plastic West Marine type) on the top rail next to the stern seats. It makes a good armrest and is out of the way. The motor's lower unit rests against the lower rail with a pair of grey socks wrapped around the unit to prevent scratches, etc. Edson makes an excellent mount where the lower unit is supported, but it's pricey (around $150-200). My West Marine $10 model works just fine.
I have a '95 29.5 and mount the dinghy outboard mount (plastic West Marine type) on the top rail next to the stern seats. It makes a good armrest and is out of the way. The motor's lower unit rests against the lower rail with a pair of grey socks wrapped around the unit to prevent scratches, etc. Edson makes an excellent mount where the lower unit is supported, but it's pricey (around $150-200). My West Marine $10 model works just fine.
weight considerations
Congrats on the new boat! And congrats on getting one with cocktail seating. Depending on how heavy an outboard we're talking about, it's probably best not to put it directly aft anyway, because too much weight on the fore/aft ends of a sailboat will lead to hobby-horsing. Your best bet might be to first determine which side of the boat the fuel tank is on, because the boat will probably list to the opposite side once the tank is half empty. So put the outboard on the fuel tank side, as far forward as your stern rail will permit. No matter where you put it, and no matter how small an outboard you purchase, it's going to look ugly for the first few days. If you're a cruiser, you'll get used to it. If you're a racer, you'll ultimately conclude that the only proper place for an outboard is in the bilge, as close to the keel bolts as possible. (I have a little 3.5 horse outboard on the rail of my 410, by the way, mounted just abaft the arch on the port side. You'd be amazed at how many dockside passers-by ask me how such a tiny engine can power such a big boat. Yikes. I give them a serious look and tell that it does okay unless I attempt to pull water skiers.)
Congrats on the new boat! And congrats on getting one with cocktail seating. Depending on how heavy an outboard we're talking about, it's probably best not to put it directly aft anyway, because too much weight on the fore/aft ends of a sailboat will lead to hobby-horsing. Your best bet might be to first determine which side of the boat the fuel tank is on, because the boat will probably list to the opposite side once the tank is half empty. So put the outboard on the fuel tank side, as far forward as your stern rail will permit. No matter where you put it, and no matter how small an outboard you purchase, it's going to look ugly for the first few days. If you're a cruiser, you'll get used to it. If you're a racer, you'll ultimately conclude that the only proper place for an outboard is in the bilge, as close to the keel bolts as possible. (I have a little 3.5 horse outboard on the rail of my 410, by the way, mounted just abaft the arch on the port side. You'd be amazed at how many dockside passers-by ask me how such a tiny engine can power such a big boat. Yikes. I give them a serious look and tell that it does okay unless I attempt to pull water skiers.)
outboard motor mount
Bill, We owed a 1994 40.5 for 2 years. We bought a mount bracket that went between the upper and lower rail and put it on the port side forward of the seat. The fuel tank is on that side right below but a water tank is on the other side next to the fuel tank so they balance out. Hope it works out Dave
Bill, We owed a 1994 40.5 for 2 years. We bought a mount bracket that went between the upper and lower rail and put it on the port side forward of the seat. The fuel tank is on that side right below but a water tank is on the other side next to the fuel tank so they balance out. Hope it works out Dave
40.5 Motor Mount
On our 40.5 we used two West Marine motor mounts. One on the upper rail and one on the lower rail with a short piece of stainless pole connecting them. Works really well. We have our Honda motor (97lbs.) on the stern rail, which makes it easy to lower it on to the dingy. If you decide to go with stern rail, port or starboard will probably be decided by which side your ensign flag staff is mounted. We've seen both on 40.5's.
On our 40.5 we used two West Marine motor mounts. One on the upper rail and one on the lower rail with a short piece of stainless pole connecting them. Works really well. We have our Honda motor (97lbs.) on the stern rail, which makes it easy to lower it on to the dingy. If you decide to go with stern rail, port or starboard will probably be decided by which side your ensign flag staff is mounted. We've seen both on 40.5's.
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