Flabluka wrote:
Robert-
Very nice job! Couple of thoughts come to mind:
1) Looks like you were able to shorten the distance while still maintaining clearance for the rudder bar, is that true? What is the new distance?
2)Where did you source the 1"x1" (I am guessing on size) bar and complementing bars? 80/20 as well?
3) What technique do you use to raise the motor on the water? Seems like it could be tough to pull pin, raise motor and replace pin on the water
4)Part list and more pictures would be awesome
On a different design....How would a motor mount work if it was just based upon the rear crossbar installed by wanderoo? Seems like it could support the weight no problem but you would have to prevent rotation somehow. That would prevent having to drill the main trampoline support.
Thanks for the new design.
-Dave
CHECK OUT THE LINK TO THE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF THE MODIFIED VERSION BELOW.
Dave, sorry for taking so long to reply back to you - not sure if you will check this again or not, but here are your answers:
1) Yes, I was very focused on making the arm as short as possible to minimize stress on the cross bar. I actually developed the new design using SketchUp so I could simulate the distance of the tiller cross bar when the rudders are fully turned (i.e. when the bar is most aft)... this way I could get the lengths perfected. As Keith later points out, this distance is different for every motor since it is the head of the motor that is most likely to bang into the tiller cross bar. You'll want to check it with the motor in the up and down position. I will try to post a link below to JPEGs of the 3-D images (yes, I'm a geek).
2) Yes, I got all the aluminum parts from 80/20 -- it's all stock stuff. I did have to drill the pieces for the supports for the hing. There are flat washers between those pieces and the main 1x1 to keep it from rubbing and let it rotate up and down freely. You can see how I use same pin to secure it to lock it up or down. Note that the retaining latch that goes under main extension bar serves two purposes: retain the pin of course, but it also keeps the arm from rotating higher (yes, higher... in the event you flip the boat! which I've done -- keeps the motor from banging back into the tramp or hanging down in the water).
3) I just use brawn to raise and lower. I'm mid-40's and still able to muscle it up, but my wife and kids can't do it. I thought of a lanyard with a little pulley to give mechanical advantage could work... remember that in my setup, i have just the Torqeedo motor mounted... I keep the battery and tiller on the boat... this means only 20 lbs are on the mount. A gas motor would be harder to lift... I would 1) put in the pully and 2) put another plate below the movable arm part to prevent it from falling down into the water. since there are holes on all sides, you could just bolt this "stop plate" in place.
4) I used all 316 grade stainless steel hardware from Bolt Depot... even the washers... i sail in salt water so it's a must. It was all 5/16 and I used nylon locking washers. I also used 3 Elevator Bolts (not 316 unfortunately) to bolt the wood onto the aluminum L brackets (2 inches each)... I wanted some surface area to compress against the wood (in hind sight - large washers recessed would have been just fine, but it looks nicer it its in the budget). The other odd and expensive part was the 316 grade eye bolt with shoulder (part 18517)... it was $18 but what the heck... 1 and 1/8 long but should have gotten shorter... you can see what I did to solve for this, I have an upside down nylon nut against a washer at the perfect height to allow the retaining nut below to fully tighten, but also prevent the shaft of the eye bolt from going too far down and hitting the existing metal rope retention loop for the mainsail traveler that is riveted to the cross bar (see the detailed photos).
Finally, I was really nervous about drilling the cross bar. But I got the nerve and did it, and it worked out great. Really happy with the design and looking forward to season 2 with the setup - it's snowing here in VA on April 7!
Here is the link to more pictures... hopefully this works!?!
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1C82_LY19zZd8tTRL_clWBf6jKCsiDahsCheers!