West MI stainless weld shop

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DougM

DougM

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Jul 24, 2005
2,242
Beneteau 323 Manistee, MI
Does anyone have recommendations for a weld shop that does stainless fabricarion in Northwestern Michigan?

I need to add reinforcement to the port pushpit rail on my Beneteau 323 so that it can safely support an 8hp 4 cycle outboard. The OEM outboard bracket is poorly engineered and needs to be strengthened.
 
J

J Page

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Feb 5, 2004
61
Hunter 30 Muskegon MI
West Mi Comm college

Doug,

Up where you are I'd try the Comm. College in Ludigton. I think they have a training program in welding. Should be able to do it for you. They are a school so they can't charge you but make sure to mention to the instructor that you would be glad to offer a "donation" to his program.

Might have to wait a couple weeks to put the plan in place, till school starts.

Otherwise, I may have some contacts down here in the Muskegon Area.

Lugeman
 
BobM

BobM

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Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
You could also just buy some bolt on stuff and use a straight tube.
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
How much weight are we concerned with in this problem? Can a man sit on the pushpit and not damage it? Shouldn't a good oak plank fastened in place with "U"-bolts be adequate to support a small engine. What does it hang on when in use?
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
The actual problem 323s have is the rear-leaning rail does not have a strong thru-deck attachment. Add a motor on the top rail, and there is alot of leverage on the thru-deck rail bolt.
I have the B323 also, and it is a wimpy stern rail, split in the middle for a walk-thru transom. It is not one-inch, but maybe 7/8. It's not a question of the rail itself being strong, and maybe not the motor mount itself. My Honda 5 will make the rail deflect outboard even more, especially when the stern lifeline is undone, so I'm sure an 8 hp will really put a load on it. I'm not sure what he expects to weld, but I suggest a sturdy stainless steel strap from (preferrably) the top rail, but the mid rail might do. Run it down to inside of the coaming (on the seat back) and throu-bolt it with a backing plate in the 1/4 berth.
 
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Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
maybe this isn't a good place to mount an engine. One of the most difficult things to build is a short straight railing because bracing it is all but impossible. If you can spread the feet and make a three or four point attachment it will be much better.
 
BobM

BobM

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Jun 10, 2004
3,269
S2 9.2A Winthrop, MA
Wow...

Looked at 323's on YW...apologies in advance but that rail is hopefully not an example of Beneteau quality or engineering. I had a better stern pulpit on my 25 footer!

I think the best idea might be to let someone qualified start over. I don't think I'd lean on that never mind try to hang 100lbs on it.
 
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