wanderoo222 wrote:
KiethB, I like your design and have ordered the parts. I am concerned about the stress all the motor mount designs put on the rear crossbar though. I am considering adding an additional crossbar between the hulls that the motor mount arm would bolt to. The crossbar would just rest on the hulls in some fashion. What are opinions about this. The outboard I have weighs 37 lbs.
Wanderoo222 - I was concerned about the leveraged torque on the rear crossbar as well but then my motor is only 27lbs. That said, I've had a motor mounted back there while sailing for 7 seasons so far without issue. Of course, I do
not trailer the boat with the motor mounted to the crossbar. Someone on here had used an old boom to make a secondary rear cross bar that bolted up on the ends to some brackets that bolted to the rudder pindle mounting point and the motor was attached directly to the boom crossbar. I suppose you could fashion a secondary rear crossbar using the 80/20 aluminum. But you mention just resting it on the hulls - wouldn't it tend to fall off if not attached. You could use the new crossbar to support the weight of the motor but you'd definitely want some bracket to keep the ends of the new crossbar stationary on the hulls. Another concern would be the potential for more splashing as waves hit it but maybe not as it may be high enough. Interested to see what you come up with.
Keith