Brunswickian:
For those who can't build their own motor mounts there are several outfits that sell motor mounts for Hobie kayaks and AI/TI Adventure boats ready made, here is one:
http://www.islandhopperoutboards.com/ka ... hobie.htmlI made mine out of just simple PVC tubing, it didn't take an hour to make and only cost about $20 bucks total (my only tools were a hack saw and electric drill), I picked up all the PVC, wood, and aluminum at Lowes. I have twin big ole Honda outboards hanging off my mount. Actually I still have the single engine mount I made 6 yrs ago, hangin in the garage, has thousands of miles on it, but it still functions just fine (just looks really crappy because it's old, and was used in mostly salt water). My twin mount's been runnin 3 yrs now and also has thousands of miles on it (same exact design). It was all laid out in detail on the Ultimate Tandem Island thread.
viewtopic.php?f=69&t=33720&hilit=ultimateIf you get the Island Hopper mount and hang a Honda or Suzuki 2.5 hp motor on it, I would tie a spectra string (hobie rudder line) to the lower unit, to counteract the thrust of the prop, and tie it off somewhere near the stern (you could just tie to the gudgeon at the back of the boat if needed).
The outboards just cost money (you could build your own engine from scratch, but why) The outboards these days are very reliable and fuel efficient (just not cheap (lol)), just buy it hang it on the boat and pull the rope to start it, really nothin else to do.
I'm not sure you need to go overboard, we use our boat for far offshore in the gulf (mostly for scuba diving) (my setup is way overkill, and absolutely not neccessary for 99% of the owners out there). Unless you really know your stuff I highly recommend nobody do what I did.
FE