Supporting Auxiliary on a zodiac pro 420.

[Bremar]

Hi,
I have a zodiac pro 420 Rib. Only 4.2 m so not slot of space on board. I have a fixed auxiliary mounting bracket on the rear transom. The Honda 2.3 auxiliary doesn’t have a strong bracket itself and when pulled up in the stored position when travelling I know with the bouncing the rib does it’s going to snap that bracket.
Other than removing it from the fixed auxiliary mounting on the transom and keeping it in the boat somewhere has anyone any recommendations for securing or supporting an auxiliary in the lifted position on the transom.
Thanks
Bremar

[jeffstevens763@g]

usually strap down with a light weight ratchet strap put a piece of wood through for it to rest on

[spartacus]

You can fit a stainless steel U bolt to the deck. Use Sikaflex too. With the auxilliary engine in the tilt position, fit a ratchet strap through the pull start opening around the engine block and back to the U anchor point and ratchet tight.

I agree, without this you'll break the auxilliary tilt bracket.

Lastly, flush the auxilliary, even if you haven't used it. I have a long shaft Mariner 4hp and the tell tale and impeller are prone to salting up.

In an emergency, if you needed the engine deployed quickly, cut the ratchet strap with a knife.

This might be useful reading. http://www.rib.net/forum/f36/fitting...pro-23132.html

Incidentally, the adjustable bracket I used on my Zodiac Pro was a waste of time. It rattled like a Vauxhall Viva on a frosty morning!

[The Gurnard]

I dont know if the way I do mine will work for you Bremar ..but it sure works fine for me and it costs a penny.

A rope bridal that fits over the Aux head and is tied off on a mounting ring on the transom. The bridal just lifts off if I need to get the Aux in the water in a hurry..but after I undo the knot on the mounting ring. I can also force it off if Im in a desperate hurry.



I have used various AUX mounting brackets on other boats in the past but always found they rattled like a bag of spanners no matter what I tried. If there is room on the transom..IMO its best there but I appreciate it is not always possible. A bridal may help though.

PS Just notices Spartacus posted as I typed.. basically the same info .. slightly different securing .

[Bremar]

Thanks for the replies and the link to a similar question. I’ve ordered a stainless steel ratchet strap. I will probably have to limit the amount of lift on the auxiliary because in the fully lifted position the prop sticks out beyond the back of the tubes.this is because the fixed bracket on the transom pushes the auxiliary further out. I’ll get there in the end. Thanks again.

[jeffstevens763@g]

i wouldn't worry about it sticking out especially at sea if you trailer just set it on shallow drive and secure, if possible with a piece of wood between the engine and the clamp so it takes strain off the mechanism.

[smallribber]

Donny

Have you ever had to use the Auxiliary in a real life situation ?

[Bremar]

Me , no. And in addition to my rib I’ve been coxing our dive club 2 ribs for 15 years and neither of those engines failed us in a way that required the use of an auxiliary
Bremar

[Bremar]

I guess your suggesting an auxiliary for many of us is realy unnecessary.
Bremar

[smallribber]

Originally Posted by Bremar

I guess your suggesting an auxiliary for many of us is realy unnecessary.
Bremar

I was indeed wondering that...…. Hs the Gurnard ever needed it on his extensive travels

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Bigplumbs

I was indeed wondering that...…. Hs the Gurnard ever needed it on his extensive travels

Probably not, but then again he’s probably never had to use his life jacket, kill cord, flares etc in anger either.
Just “wondering” like[emoji6]

[jeffstevens763@g]

he doesn't carry one on his f-rib but then he has oars that work for the small craft his big boat you would never paddle to keep out of trouble i dont carry one on mine but have on other boats but never used in anger same as anything if you dont and you need it's a bugger, same as spare wheel for your car i guess

[spartacus]

I hope I don't have to deploy my auxilliary any time soon, but belt and braces and all that.

I don't tempt fate with these sort of things, because engines do fail (regardless of how well maintained) and normally at the most unlikely moment.

My main Tohatsu engine failed at Balmedie a few year ago, north of Aberdeen near Cruden Scaurs a notorious rocky reef. After a process of elimination it was fuel related, and I eventually traced the fuel starvation to a dislodged 'o' ring in the female fuel connector. It was a pattern part - so I only fit genuine Tohatsu parts now.

The second time is when we ran into a poorly marked lobster creel (Coca Cola bottle for a bouy) outside Catterline Harbour, south of Stonehaven. The aluminium propeller was mangled after I cut the rope free. Luckily weather was on our side.

On this picture you'll see the stainless steel U anchor point (for the auxilliary ratchet strap) on the transom knee.

[beerbelly]

Originally Posted by spartacus

I hope I don't have to deploy my auxilliary any time soon, but belt and braces and all that.

I don't tempt fate with these sort of things, because engines do fail (regardless of how well maintained) and normally at the most unlikely moment.

My main Tohatsu engine failed at Balmedie a few year ago, north of Aberdeen near Cruden Scaurs a notorious rocky reef. After a process of elimination it was fuel related, and I eventually traced the fuel starvation to a dislodged 'o' ring in the female fuel connector. It was a pattern part - so I only fit genuine Tohatsu parts now.

The second time is when we ran into a poorly marked lobster creel (Coca Cola bottle for a bouy) outside Catterline Harbour, south of Stonehaven. The aluminium propeller was mangled after I cut the rope free. Luckily weather was on our side.

On this picture you'll see the stainless steel U anchor point (for the auxilliary ratchet strap) on the transom knee.

how did you fix a u bolt into the transom knee like that ?

[jeffstevens763@g]

Screws by the look of it into the timber support which there's a name for but can't remember

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by beerbelly

how did you fix a u bolt into the transom knee like that ?

Pilot holes into the transom knee, Sikaflex, then self tapping screws.

[beerbelly]

Originally Posted by spartacus

Pilot holes into the transom knee, Sikaflex, then self tapping screws.

ahh right I was thinking the type with a nut on each leg of the u bolt i haven't seen them that fasten on with screws

[spartacus]

Originally Posted by beerbelly

ahh right I was thinking the type with a nut on each leg of the u bolt i haven't seen them that fasten on with screws

I know what you mean, like a bow U bolt or transom eyes. This only has the torque weight of the auxilliary engine, so isn't critical, but is a great fastening point.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by beerbelly

ahh right I was thinking the type with a nut on each leg of the u bolt i haven't seen them that fasten on with screws

Search for “pad eyes” I have some Wichard folding ones on BP, very useful for tying stuff down.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

Search for “pad eyes” I have some Wichard folding ones on BP, very useful for tying stuff down.

Here you go
https://www.force4.co.uk/wichard-fol...ad-eyes-m.html