Fitting an aux. outboard to a Fletcher 19 GTS

[lovezoo]

I thought I'd post this question on the vague offchance that someone on the forum has tried this before. I've got a Fletcher 19 GTS with an inboard Mercruiser 4.3. I've also got a 5HP outboard that I want to use as a wing motor, but the problem is I can't find any kind of mounting bracket that will work with the boat.

The boat has a built in bathing platform, that is too thick to mount a bracket on and the transom is set too far back to fit one there.

Anyone tried this before?

Thanks for any ideas.

 

[Geoffs]

I've certainly seen them, but don't know details. I know where there are some, so will have a look this weekend and report back, unless anyone beats me to it.

Great boat by the way, you probably know trhat. I had one for 8 years and have moved on. But sometimes I wonder if it is a move on. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[scej]

There was a bracket made by fletcher for this boat bu it was pants I know i tryed to fit one!!!!!!!

The best wat that i found to fit a outboard bracket to the 19GTS was to have an Lshaped brackt fabricated with a peice of ply wood bolted to it. to fit the bracket (this is the fiddly bit) you will need to get a Ply backing piece for the bolts that you use to bolt it to the platform which you will need to drill off before you attempt too fit. Purchase a 4/5" round inspection hatch decide where the bracket will be fitted and cut the hole for the inspection hatch drill the holes for the bracket, now for the tricky part you have to get your backing pad into the cavity from the engine compartment and manouvere it into place and then bolt the whole lot in place not easy. but when it is done it swhould work. I think that Poole boat park may have the stainless bracket around somewhere as i had a few of these made when i was there speak to Graham he should know where to locate them.

Have fun

 

[Alistairr]

We had a Fletcher 19 GTO, I know not the same back end but our boat had this fitted on its stern

.

Worked very well, not sure if it would fit yours though, i'm trying to remember what the back of the GTS looks like.

Cheers

Al.

 

[Alistairr]

[ QUOTE ]
I had one for 8 years and have moved on. But sometimes I wonder if it is a move on. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
You not happy with the Larson Geoff?
We moved from having 2 cuddies to a Sealine cruiser, and have never really settled with it, with i'd never sold our last cuddy.

Cheers

Al.

 

[JKay]

Al his boat has a bathing platform

cheers Joe

 

[landlockedpirate]

I have been toying with the same problem for my Fletcher. My current thinking is to make a pad to clamp on the bathing ladder. I would keep the engine in 1 of the lockers and only fit it if a had a problem. Was going to have a play around making a prototype in the morning.

I would of course upgrade the backing pad and fixings for the ladder, but since it is quite happy with my rather large frame swinging off it, I cant see a problem with my 4hp.

Mark

 

[Alistairr]

Yes, i noticed he said that, but as far as i can remember the built in platform is pretty short with a verticle panel underneath it that the bracket could possibly be mounted too, maybe he will post a pic to clarify.

Cheers

Al.

 

[lovezoo]

Thanks for all the replies (out on the boat all day yesterday enjoying the fantastic sunny weather).

Here is a pic of a GTS showing the back of the boat. As you can see the transom is set too far back to be of use, so the type of bracket suggested by Al can't readily be fitted anywhere.

The bathing platform is really the only place you can mount a right angle bracket, but the problem with it is getting access - the platform is about 2 inches thick, is hollow and is only accessible internally through the engine compartment (over and behind the engine); tricky.

I'll try Poole Boat Park and see if they have any brackets.

I like Mark's suggestion of making a pad to go on the bathing ladder - that may well be a solution. Mark - please let me know how you get on with this.

Tony

 

[landlockedpirate]

I have exactly the same set up as you. I have looked at the problem for nearly 6 months now and I always come up with the same roadblock-how the heck do I get round, over or past the 4.3litre lump and squeeze my pudgy hand into a 2" gap /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

I will let you know how the prototype goes.

Mark

 

[lovezoo]

My only other thoughts was to drill all the way through the bathing platform and put the backing plate and nuts on the underside. You would still have to get into the void to put some kind of spacer in (eg a block of wood pre-drilled with holes for the bolts to pass through). The spacer would have to be a pretty exact match for the height of the void - maybe start with an oversize block and plane it down to match?

Mark; I have PMd you my e-mail address, so you can let me know how you get on.

Tony

 

[lovezoo]

Steve

You suggested "Purchase a 4/5" round inspection hatch decide where the bracket will be fitted and cut the hole for the inspection hatch drill "

Not sure exactly what you mean here. Are you suggesting fitting the inspection hatch to allow access to get to the bolts for the bracket?

Tony

 

[JoeOG]

We had a Fletcher 19 GTO, I know not the same back end but our boat had this fitted on its stern

.

Worked very well, not sure if it would fit yours though, i'm trying to remember what the back of the GTS looks like.

Cheers

Al.

Hi Alistairr,
I know you posted this a lifetime ago but is there any chance you still have the pic of the 19GTO with the Aux bracket. I cannot find one to fit so maybe your picture will hopefully give me better insight.

Regards
Joe

 

[Bigplumbs]

I had a 19 gto and when I bought it there was a hardwood contraption That the previous owner had made that fitted over the swim ladder when it was folded up. It did fit very well but I never had to use it so no idea if it worked. It was good as it was easily removes and stowed when not needed