Could of been worse

graham

graham

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After locking into Cardiff this morning on leaving the lock I noticed my outboard was on an odd angle so put it in Neutral; to have a look. To my horror the 2 stainless steel angle plates that the bracket swivels on had cracked in the corner and started to pull apart.

Off to WG Rees's in the morning (Anyone know if they open on Saturdays) to get some heavier gauge stainless angle. The bracket is rated for 10 hp my outboard is an 8, its never hit anything ,cant ground because the keel is a few feet deeper so its just a dodgy bit of metal I guess.

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If it had cracked all the way it would have been left hanging on the control cables and battery cables :-(
 
the problem with upping the spec on the angle it will find the weakest link the bracket is probably not man enough for the torque on your outboard. you work your boats well, most boats dont do a fraction of the sailing you do. i would be looking at a non mechanical bracket fixed to the transom if your stuck i now a man that can make bespoke one out of stainless let me know how you get on
 
Thanks for that.Your right that a non mechanical one would be stronger but without the extra lift the prop would still be dragging. The outboard is a high thrust model so probably puts more strain on the bracket than normal. I think I will replace the broken angles for now and give it some thought when I get Banjo lifted ashore.
 
Seems to me that sort of damage could have been caused with excessive pitching placing undue load on bracket and not just torque. Classic metal fatigue there methinks - how old is the bracket Graham?
 
Severnman said:
Seems to me that sort of damage could have been caused with excessive pitching placing undue load on bracket and not just torque. Classic metal fatigue there methinks - how old is the bracket Graham?
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Hello Severnman The Bracket is only a couple of years old but I didnt buy it or it would be going back.I think the problem lies in the way its been made, The angle bits have been formed by bending not extruded like proper angle iron.

I have just got back from CG Rees in Cardiff were they cut me two new bits from slightly heavier stainless extrusion. The extrusion is thicker in the corner unlike the formed pieces which are thinner in the corner due to the bending process.

I left Cardiff into a steep sea right on the nose a few days back which had Banjo pitching wildly so that may be what did it but I'm glad it did go then and not half way through a holiday or something.
 
graham said:
Hello Severnman The Bracket is only a couple of years old but I didnt buy it or it would be going back.I think the problem lies in the way its been made, The angle bits have been formed by bending not extruded like proper angle iron.

I have just got back from CG Rees in Cardiff were they cut me two new bits from slightly heavier stainless extrusion. The extrusion is thicker in the corner unlike the formed pieces which are thinner in the corner due to the bending process.
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Graham you're spot on about the bending process producing a weakness, bent section shouldn't really be used in this sort of application as the top edge of the angle at the radius becomes the part that takes the most load, being slightly thinner as you said and having been worked it is very prone to fatigue cracking (and corrosion and tiny imperfections becoming stress raisers). The quality of the steel possibly has even more effect - including what heat treatment it recieved, if any, before and after bending. You'll probably have far more luck with extruded section.

However Mr Bloto is also right about the load finding the weakest path is also very valid - I'd suggest a thorough visual inspection of the whole bracket including the attachment to the hull and a check of all the fastners for tightness.
 
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You've been lucky there, Graham.

It is odd, though. I would have expected the bottom part to pull away.

As you say, could have been worse.
 
Csail said:
Ok.... where were you today while we all met up and got cold and wet at Margam?????!!!
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I normally do go to the boat jumbles. To be honest, there was nothing I needed, and Louise was thinking of going for a sail (she does this ladies thing with the club). We went to the boat, but it was blowing a hoolie still, so ended up chatting in the bar.

The last one. I think it was Cardiff at the start of the year, we got hit by a squall, and I think that was the wettest I've ever been, and I spend a lot of time underwater........
 
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