help/advise please

[camelgas]

hello everyone, I have been lurking here and reading for a while now and would be greatfull for a few pointers from those in the know.

I am looking to buy a small inflatible of about 3.4 to 3.8 mtrs long, now the hard bit !. I allready own a very good 15 hp 2 stroke mariner that gets used on another boat, it is a LONGSHAFT model.

can anyone think of a boat in this size range that I could use with this motor ?. thanks in advance.

ps. if its not possible to buy a boat to fit the motor, could the transom be raised up a couple of inches to acomodate a longshaft or is this a bad idea ?.

[willk]

Have a read here

[Locozodiac]

You can use that HP engine on any sib rated for a 15, much faster conversion is to buy a 5" transom mount to raise engine, modifying height is time demanding as we are not talking about small height transom shims...

Happy Boating

[Bieny]

I used a 25hp mariner long shaft for ages on the back of my sib. Adjusting the transom was easy as it had a low area where the outboard mounts, I just folded some stainless over the top to make it level all the way across.
Might have a pic...

[camelgas]

thanks for the replies they are very helpful.

locozodiac: what is the make of the metal transom extender they look like a great timesaver,

[Bieny]

Found a pic

[camelgas]

thanks ,

[Locozodiac]

Originally Posted by camelgas

thanks for the replies they are very helpful.

locozodiac: what is the make of the metal transom extender they look like a great timesaver,

Sorry can't help you on this one, check Google for transom's extenders. This one is probably custom made by someone...Probably can make one for yousrself at a metal carpentry ?

Happy Boating

[camelgas]

I have the means to cut and weld mild steel, so may give this a go and get it galvanized and then paint it so it blends in.

[Nightfisher]

That 5" transom height extender looks very capable of handling the engine back-torque, if properly mounted. Thanks for posting the image.

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by camelgas

I have the means to cut and weld mild steel, so may give this a go and get it galvanized and then paint it so it blends in.

Not for use in salt water. And I'd personally stay away from galv mild steel in fresh water as well.

Go either SS or thick marine (5000 series) aluminum, or you'll find yourself with a rust colored transom and tube, and be back in the shop remaking the thing in a year or two.

jky

[TomKat]

An Bombard Aerotec 420 takes a long shaft AFAIK.

[m chappelow]

If anyone does happen to have a go at making something out of shiney stainless steel watch that the engine won't slide off when doing power turns ,

Once saw a near brand new engine slip off a rebuilt shiny stainless steel capped transom ,, the owner thought to omit the thin plywood board that the engine saddle beds onto ,,
was ok going forwards but when the owner turned , the engine clamps had nothing to bite on so the engine just twisted its self off and into the deep .

[boilermaker1]

I work in metal fabrication,, Stainless steel is very hard to clamp as the surface is so hard. defiantly would not trust outboard clamps to hold on stainless,, bolting the outboard through the stainless be the only safe method

[Locozodiac]

You can cut and glue a large piece of tire bladder, PVC, to both sides of SS engine mount and secure a small rope between both clamp's eyes. If you can make them face each other well tight the better. Don't know why boaters always adjust both clamps tight and forget all about engine vibration issues loosening clamp tightness and losing engine.

Have seen careless boaters dropping main engines & aux into the blue from 3.5 to 30 HP, most irrecuperable due to waves, wake, not having marked dropping position fast enough or deep waters issues, some even being unaware having lost it's aux engines, a real engine crime indeed. You must always place a safety line between engine and boat, just in case...

Happy Boating

[Nightfisher]

Good thought. Though my transon is a general type (marine plywood coated over with fibreglass and steel engine mount plate), I have been considering mounting a through-bolt from the bottom of the engine bracket.