Mounting the spare engine??

Jieboy · 11 December 2005, 23:30

I have searched through the forum but havent really found any answers. Should I fit my back up engine on to the transom or via an engine bracket? How do you fit the engine bracket on to the transom?

Rogue Wave · 11 December 2005, 23:32

dIRECT

bracket addss to much extra stress on the Transom when you are bouncing along

Jimbob · 12 December 2005, 10:32

We have ours mounted on a bracket, its a 6hp motor on a 20hp bracket. In my case it would be difficult direct, but agree with Rouge. So when ours is in the up position it is srapped to the A frame to help with the continual bouncing

GaryD · 12 December 2005, 20:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jieboy

I have searched through the forum but havent really found any answers. Should I fit my back up engine on to the transom or via an engine bracket? How do you fit the engine bracket on to the transom?

Jieboy, I have a spare engine bracket fitted to my transom... altho I dont bother with a spare engine, just rely on friends to tow me home if any problem occured...

could get a pic for you if needed, seeing as our boats are similar

geoff · 12 December 2005, 21:01

This is what we do and it works very well. Keeps the engine out of harms way.

codprawn · 12 December 2005, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoff

This is what we do and it works very well. Keeps the engine out of harms way.

What happens in a sudden emergency though???

Jieboy · 12 December 2005, 23:47

GaryD, if you could get a photo that would be great! My transom is small enough + the 4 stroke yam, there is not much room for another engine.

Rick · 13 December 2005, 12:44

Here is a picture of a Mariner 4hp fitted directly to the transom of 5.5m northcraft. It still leaves enough space for full movement of the main engine.

swginn · 13 December 2005, 19:29

Jieboy, I'd say you're gonna find it very difficult to mount an auxillary engine on a Valiant 490. I used have one with a Merc 75 (probably about the same size as your Yam 4stroker) and we just couldn't fit one, we even had to get the A-frame custom made as the frame Valiant were supplying was too narrow to accomodate the main engine. If yours is the same as mine with the transom knees either side and the black tube straps, then it's gonna be very awkward. Good luck with the search though!!

The small Valiants are great fun, especially when you put a bit of power behind them!!

Current engine setup allows the fitting of the aux direct to the transom. It sits there very solidly, has never budged even ploughing home for a pint in the middle of an F8!!

I somehow doubt I'd still have it if it was on a bracket, just something to think about.

GaryD · 13 December 2005, 20:02

just gona go and take a few pics just now... will post them up later 2nite.

DGR · 13 December 2005, 20:24

swginn,

What size is that aux engine? I had thought that I couldn't fit one on mine because I didn't have a cut-out in my transom (inboard) - but yours seems to be on the highest point. Is it an XL shaft?!?

Cheers,

D...

geoff · 13 December 2005, 23:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

What happens in a sudden emergency though???

Well it depends what you mean by an emergency. Full power on the auxillary will push us along at around 3 knots so an extra few minutes putting the engine on isn't going to make a lot of difference. The only time I have needed the auxillary was when we got the fishing line wrapped around the main prop and we needed some time to unwind it. We were quite close to rocks and got the engine on pretty quick. If you are in a situation where you cant be without engine power for even a few minutes then a twin engine set-up is probably the answer. Even a pair of paddles are pretty good for getting out of someones way in a hurry if you have to.

ADS · 13 December 2005, 23:41

Be careful about lying four stroke aux engines on their side -they don't like it! It is emphasised by the motion of the boat, something to do with the sump oil, not entirely sure, but experienced it on a Honda 2hp 4 stroke, kept in the locker of a sailing yacht.

Alex

codprawn · 13 December 2005, 23:51

My Suzuki 15hp 4 stroke lived in the boot of my car for about 3 months - on the correct side of course.

I would leave it upright for about 20 mins before starting and there was always a huge cloud of white smoke which would clear after a few seconds - then it would run fine.

On it's stand it NEVER smokes when started!!!

swginn · 14 December 2005, 01:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGR

swginn,

What size is that aux engine? I had thought that I couldn't fit one on mine because I didn't have a cut-out in my transom (inboard) - but yours seems to be on the highest point. Is it an XL shaft?!?

Cheers,

D...

Dyl,

Its not an XL shaft, just a standard Long-shaft. When I've tested it, it pushes us along quite quickly surprisingly. The prop does run in "clean" water and clears the hull well. Only problem I have is I can't turn right very sharply (I can still turn right, just in very large circles!!) unless I use the main engine as a rudder because the A-frame gets in the way. Here's the only pics I have of it in the down position.

Maybe you've got a higher freeboard, being a diesel rig and all, to reduce the risk of swamping?? Worth borrowing one for a try anyway I guess??

Nos4r2 · 15 December 2005, 18:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by geoff

This is what we do and it works very well. Keeps the engine out of harms way.

What happens when you stuff it into a wave and fill up with water?

Chris Murray · 16 December 2005, 19:39

If you do find it necessary to use a bracket, take care about the rated engine size. The manufacturers seem to quote mainly for 2-strokes but may also quote a 4-stroke rating as well. These are always quite a lot lower, on account of the greater weight of a 4-stroke.

... Not that there are many smaller 2-strokes still around!

Chris.