Stern Rail Motor Mount, 81lbs To Heavy?

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Apr 26, 2009
107
Catalina 309 #168 kentucky lake
Would a 81 lb. 8 hp outboard motor be to heavy on a stern rail motor mount and cause damage to the stern rail? My guess is it should be fine but most of you guy's had your 309's longer than I have and probably already know the weight limitations of the rail motor mounts.

Regards,

Sigbear
Catalina 309 hull# 168
 
Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
Have you wrestled with the motor on the rail? And then from the rail to the dinghy and back? I just remember when my old dockmate, 6'+ and 200#, tried that on his 38. He even added a hoist, still too much work. He ended up downsizing.

I think that you are right, the pushpit can handle the load. Still I would not want that weight back there when I was pounding into bouncy seas.
 
Aug 2, 2009
651
Catalina 315 Muskegon
The seats built into the sternrail should certainly be able to handle a couple hundred pounds, although it might be assumed that the geometry of the railing was configured to account for that load.

I have no definitive answer to whether 81 pounds higher up on the rail is appropriate, but would I do it on my boat? No. It may be fine, but I'd err on the side of no.

And as the previous reply said, wrestling that amount of weight could be rough. One thing on dry land, but with objects in water with limited space in which to maneuver.....I'll pass. Aside from losing it overboard, I'd be concerned about dinging the gelcoat with that much mass swinging around. Slip while you're holding 81 pounds in your arms like a baby and stop yourself with your chin on the bottom rail. Uh uh:naughty:.

I recently got a nice 10' Avon inflatable rated for 10 horse, for free, and I was itching to get a used 10 for it so I could blast around in it. In the end, I decided it's just not practical. A four horse is waaaay easier to deal with, with the downside being you don't get to plane off.

After saying all that, I'm sure there are plenty of folks out there with similar boats that have 81 pounds on the rail with no casualties.
 
Apr 26, 2009
107
Catalina 309 #168 kentucky lake
I'll go with option "B"

In reading what a pain it is to hoist and store a 8hp motor, I decided to go with plan "B" tow. In the 1990's I had a similar set up, inflatable w/8hp. and always towed without issue, so, that will be my plan.

Our boat is on Kentucky Lake where the wind and waves are nothing compared to the ocean, so, I will give up 1/2 a knot rather than hurting my 55 year "oooold" body.

Sigbear
 
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