Stern Rail Outboard Mount

Jan 23, 2022
11
Catalina 310 Upper Chesapeake
Hello Everyone

I recently purchased a 2001 310 hull 83. I have a 9.9 merc for my dink and I am wondering if anyone else mounts this size motor on their stern rail? It weighs about 85lbs and I'm thinking this might be a bit much. Maybe some reinforcing would be in order or just avoid it completely?

Mike
SV Penoca
Sassafras Md
 
Feb 21, 2013
4,638
Hunter 46 Point Richmond, CA
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new sailboat!!

This question came on this thread with guidance of what others have done Rail Mount for Outboard Motor | Sailboat Owners Forums. 85 lbs is a very heavy motor and would not want that much weight on my stern. I use and Edson motor mount designed to hold a 100 lb outboard motor Edson Marine: Stern Rail Outboard Motor Mount - Aluminum for 1-1/4" Railings (521-125AL) to carry my lightweight Torqeedo electric motor (without the extra weight of its battery and control arm).

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Last edited:
Sep 25, 2008
7,288
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
Regardless of whether it was designed when new to take the lateral stress from a moving boat which I don’t know, you should consider how structurally sound a 20 year old cockpit wall to which the rail is attached is after years of weathering and core deterioration. It’s how strong it is now, not in 2001.
 
Jan 23, 2022
11
Catalina 310 Upper Chesapeake
Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new sailboat!!

This question came on this thread with guidance of what others have done Rail Mount for Outboard Motor | Sailboat Owners Forums. 85 lbs is a very heavy motor and would not want that much weight on my stern. I use and Edson motor mount designed to hold a 100 lb outboard motor Edson Marine: Stern Rail Outboard Motor Mount - Aluminum for 1-1/4" Railings (521-125AL) to carry my lightweight Torqeedo electric motor (without the extra weight of its battery and control arm).

View attachment 203155
Thanks for the link, I was searching around for a while and couldn't find anything regarding weight on the back rails but you were able to get me there.
After thinking about it a bit, I think it will be ok considering catalina had to have in mind the weight of a person sitting on the stern rail seats. I'm assuming it is quite over built for that reason and also as another poster mentioned its intended to keep a 200lb person in the boat. Next time I'm down the boat am going to get a better feel for the rails and see how sturdy the feel before I make a final decision.
 
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Likes: sail sfbay
May 24, 2004
7,141
CC 30 South Florida
If a 200 lbs.+ person can sit on the stern rail seats there should not be a problem supporting an 85 lbs motor on it. I used to carry a 60 lbs. motor in a home made motor mount with no problems and cannot see why another 25 lbs. would make any difference. The problem I had was raising and lowering the motor from and to the dink. I just cannot see manhandling an 85 lbs. motor without the assistance of a mechanical crane or lift.
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
22,260
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
An idea that I’ve observed working, makes the lift of an outboard onto a boat possible.
 

Tom J

.
Sep 30, 2008
2,309
Catalina 310 Quincy, MA
I installed a brace for the perch seats. There was some sagging, since they are the most popular seats in the house. The outboard lived on a typical motor mount, which is now home to a Torqeedo, which, as mentioned, is very light. I also braced the stern rail to take the weight of the davits/dingy and solar panels (two, now).IMG_0199.JPGDSCN1239.JPG
 

RoyS

.
Jun 3, 2012
1,742
Hunter 33 Steamboat Wharf, Hull, MA
As for lifting an 85 pound motor you can use your halyard with or without the boom. I have a lighter outboard and usually have someone operate the halyard winch at the mast while I guide the motor up or down by deflecting the halyard at the motor end. The stern rail however is pretty far from the mast and I would lift the motor onto the deck close by the mast and carry it back.
 

rukidn

.
Apr 23, 2012
160
Catalina 310 258 Sandusky, OH
First, Congrats on your new boat.
We've carried our 9.9 Tohatsu on the stern rail for several years without trouble. Our is on the port side and the pad is as close to the seats as possible. It's a challenge to mount and demount a ~90lb motor. We use the main halyard as protection against a drop, and my wife tends the halyard on the winch. No crank necessary.

When taking the motor off with the dinghy tied close to the stern, we pad the propane locker lid. I lift the motor while wife takes up the halyard slack. I rest the motor skeg on the lid while I reposition myself higher for the lift onto the rail. We reverse this when mounting the motor on the dinghy. As usual, it's all "ankles and elbows" placing the motor in a floating dinghy.

We have brought to motor in through the gate and cockpit, also padding the rest zones. More heavy handling, as the bimini prevents use of the halyard. Wear shoes with toes in case you slip and lower the skeg on them. (Voice of experience). /Ed