Auxiliary-securing while on the move?!

piranha580 · 30 October 2010, 00:31

Hi guys, fitting a bracket to the boat for a Honda 5hp auxiliary and I'm curious.. While under way on the water what's the best way of keeping the engine secure.. Obviously it has to be tilted out of the water, but I'm thinking that with the shock and stress on the aux from bouncing around, it could either get damaged or I could lose it! Can you secure the engine to stop it 'swinging' or whats the best idea??
Cheers
Mark

BogMonster · 30 October 2010, 01:04

I never had a problem with my Johnson 6hp on the Humber - just mounted on the transom and sat in the normal tilt position. I used to have the friction on the tiller at maximum because I used it in the straight ahead position and steered with the main engine. It didn't seem to move at all.

I'm not so sure about the new aux (Merc Sailmate 4hp) as the tilt lock on that looks less substantial so may have to invent a new idea but I haven't come up with it yet! Some people seem to use a bungee cord to hold it against the tilt stop, might look at that.

Chris · 30 October 2010, 08:07

On my last rib I had an yamaha 4 aux and it used to bounce around. I found be getting a webbing strap I could strap the leg to the bracket, this was the most efective solution I came up with.

spartacus · 30 October 2010, 09:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

On my last rib I had an yamaha 4 aux and it used to bounce around. I found be getting a webbing strap I could strap the leg to the bracket, this was the most efective solution I came up with.

Agree with that. I used to have a Tohatsu 3.5hp auxilliary on a Zodiac Pro. I used a webbing strap ratchet tied to the back of the bench seat on a stainless-steel U-bolt to the engine. I also used a block of wood under the tilt pin and it was solid as a rock.

alystra · 30 October 2010, 17:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by spartacus

Agree with that. I used to have a Tohatsu 3.5hp auxilliary on a Zodiac Pro. I used a webbing strap ratchet tied to the back of the bench seat on a stainless-steel U-bolt to the engine. I also used a block of wood under the tilt pin and it was solid as a rock.

Yep. Block of wood to hold the engine up and a lashing round the A frame and motor cowling keeps my Johnson 3.5 tight and secure.

piranha580 · 30 October 2010, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by alystra

Yep. Block of wood to hold the engine up and a lashing round the A frame and motor cowling keeps my Johnson 3.5 tight and secure.

When you say a block of wood, do you mean just a short length across theengine bracket and let it down on top or put a length lenghtways from where the tilt lever is out towards the prop?! I guess a piece of 4x4 or something like that?!

spartacus · 30 October 2010, 21:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by piranha580

When you say a block of wood, do you mean just a short length across theengine bracket and let it down on top or put a length lenghtways from where the tilt lever is out towards the prop?! I guess a piece of 4x4 or something like that?!

A short length from the engine bracket to the mid-section. It doesn't really matter how you do it. The tensioning strap is more important, as it's the vibration that's the problem. The tilt-pin is next to useless on the Tohatsu, and would have sheared if I hadn't supported properly.

BogMonster · 30 October 2010, 22:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by spartacus

A short length from the engine bracket to the mid-section. It doesn't really matter how you do it. The tensioning strap is more important, as it's the vibration that's the problem. The tilt-pin is next to useless on the Tohatsu, and would have sheared if I hadn't supported properly.

Where are you tensioning it to? Are you pulling it up, or pulling it down against the block of wood (which would seem logical but can't see how you could do that to a bench seat inside the boat?)

I have a Merc 4hp which is a Twatsoo in drag and I came to the same conclusion about the tilt support - it bends when you push on the motor so won't hack life bouncing along as an aux.

spartacus · 31 October 2010, 10:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Where are you tensioning it to? Are you pulling it up, or pulling it down against the block of wood (which would seem logical but can't see how you could do that to a bench seat inside the boat?)

I have a Merc 4hp which is a Twatsoo in drag and I came to the same conclusion about the tilt support - it bends when you push on the motor so won't hack life bouncing along as an aux.

I used a small block of wood under the outboard head, which rested on the lip to the mid section. This was tied on with a small strap. There was a second webbing ratchet strap connected to the engine grab handle to the stainless steel u-bolt on the back of the bench seat (pictured). The outboard was in the tilted up position. Under tension it didn't rattle or move. Worked for me. Now I've bought a RIBcraft, I've more space so it will be off the transom completely. Either secured behind the jockey seat, or if I leave it on the transom it will tilted up and tensioned to a u-bolt on the deck. Currently looking for a 2-stroke 4hp Yammie as I sold the Twatsoo with the Zodiac.

9D280 · 01 November 2010, 11:22

My old 70's Johnson 2Hp on the SR used friction to stay up, so as you can imagine it donlt stay there very long!

I shaped a bit of wood so it would wedge in between clamp & leg, then used bungee round the leg (complete circuit thereof) to hiold it in place. Then had another longer loop of thick bungee that hooked over a features on the leg (cooling fin?) & was fixed to the clamp . To drop the engine, I unhooled the "hold down" bungee. lifted slightly, swivelled the block of wood round out the way &dropped. The "clamp" bungee was of a suitable length that it went nowhere near the prop when slack.

I think I have just proved a pictrure speaks 1000 words......