Mounting an auxiliary outboard

[Turniphead]

Hi
I am trying to install an auxiliary on my 5.7m apex but cant it one of the standard adjustable mounts on the back, so i am wondering if an a frame is strong enough to mount it for storage? Or will i have to mount it inside the boat on the front of the console or something? I don’t have a jockey seat so cant mount there! It’s a 6hp mercury four stroke......apologies if this is a stupid question but I’m new to rib ownership so any help gratefully received
Thanks in advance!

[Bern Hanreck]

Hiya ! The whole business of auxillary engines has been covered in several threads before......eg value of auxillary , size , carry ready mounted or stored.

try this one for starters.....

http://www.rib.net/forum/f8/auxiliary-engine-79352.html

Do play with the search function but if you can't find it , always feel free to ask.

[beerbelly]

my personal thoughts is I would rather have any aux mounted on the transom ready to use
.Im not sure I could handball a 5 or 6 hp 4 stroke from a mounting post to the transom hang over the back and fasten it on in a rolling sea possibly getting close to obstacles like rocks/cliffs ect without either dropping it overboard or falling in myself . but everyone is different just my thoughts

[spartacus]

If I had a pound for every auxilliary engine thread I'd answered I'd be a very rich... hold on here comes my vodka Martini!

In fairness, every case is different, A-frame fitted, transom shape, main engine is a 4-stroke vs 2-stroke for cowl width, etc. Post up some pictures and we'll see what we can offer.

I'll put it out there to avoid any adjustable transom brackets. It'll never be satisfactory and rattle like Vauxhall diesel on a frosty morning.

[Turniphead]

Originally Posted by beerbelly

my personal thoughts is I would rather have any aux mounted on the transom ready to use
.Im not sure I could handball a 5 or 6 hp 4 stroke from a mounting post to the transom hang over the back and fasten it on in a rolling sea possibly getting close to obstacles like rocks/cliffs ect without either dropping it overboard or falling in myself . but everyone is different just my thoughts

I totally agree but I don’t think it will fit

[Turniphead]

Originally Posted by Bern Hanreck

Hiya ! The whole business of auxillary engines has been covered in several threads before......eg value of auxillary , size , carry ready mounted or stored.

try this one for starters.....

http://www.rib.net/forum/f8/auxiliary-engine-79352.html

Do play with the search function but if you can't find it , always feel free to ask.

Thanks, i cant find anything specifically about storage on a frame

[Turniphead]

Originally Posted by spartacus

If I had a pound for every auxilliary engine thread I'd answered I'd be a very rich... hold on here comes my vodka Martini!

In fairness, every case is different, A-frame fitted, transom shape, main engine is a 4-stroke vs 2-stroke for cowl width, etc. Post up some pictures and we'll see what we can offer.

I'll put it out there to avoid any adjustable transom brackets. It'll never be satisfactory and rattle like Vauxhall diesel on a frosty morning.

Thank you, That is going to stretch my technical ability, i haven’t bought an a frame yet i am just thinking about it as an option, will try and get some better photos tomorrow, this is the only one i have of the back of boat....main engine is 90hp 4 stroke, aux is 6hp fourstroke

[Turniphead]

Originally Posted by Turniphead

Thank you, That is going to stretch my technical ability, i haven’t bought an a frame yet i am just thinking about it as an option, will try and get some better photos tomorrow, this is the only one i have of the back of boat....main engine is 90hp 4 stroke, aux is 6hp fourstroke

try again!

[ShinyShoe]

Ignoring storage... is there room to get in on that transom in anger and steer with it, with the 90 centred? Or with it locked of and steer with the main engine as a rudder (not ideal as if the issue is actually steering it will still be broken

[Turniphead]

Think so, but ill double check tomorrow, the adjustable mount i got fit in just but cant quite get the main engine on full lock with that installed

[Turniphead]

some additional photos attached, thanks again for any help!

[jeffstevens763@g]

I had mine mounted on the A frame for a while but it's a pain to set up bobing about best ready to go had to set mine hard to the A frame on the transom and steered with main engine

[Nos4r2]

Sods law says if you need the aux it'll be in conditions where you can't get it out and mount it without it going overboard.
Don't discount an adjustable bracket, just don't buy a cheap one. I have one of these and it doesn't rattle.

Outboard motor br. - Trem O0815390.

[spartacus]

That looks tight right enough, with around 30cm space with your main engine in a central position. Get your engine to hard lock and take pictures either side. Suspect the steering link will be an issue on the port side, so I'd look at the opposite side.

An A-frame will reduce available space no doubt. What's your reasons for the A-frame? Mounting VHF, navigation lights? You could opt for a light-pole. Again possible to put a VHF antenna on that.

Couple of things to consider, normal rule of thumb is 1hp for ever metre of boat length, but once you start getting into larger auxiliaries then the physical space they take up compromises any benefit, especially in handing, if you are considering deploying rather than having it fixed in position. If you keep 4-stroke, then you can switch fuel supply from main engine to the auxilliary if it has a fuel feed. 2-strokes are lighter, some have integral fuel tanks, and normally have smaller width cowl, especially useful in tight spaces. Down side is having pre-mix fuel on board, but realistically you can store 4.5 litres in a portable tank.

I've seen auxiliaries mounted in front of consoles and behind jockey seats. If you go down that route you'll need a substantial point for it to be mounted on, possibly with the skeg on the deck with a rubber pad for it to sit on.