Outboard DIY Stowage bracket?

[NickHarley]

I've got a bit of Iroko wood that would make a great Outboard Stowage bracket, but I', trying to work out how to attach it to the Pushpit rails. Guess I need something like the brackets used on commercial ones like the 'Little John' stowage bracket - but don't want to spend £40 on one only to discard the marine ply supplied.

Does anyone know where I can buy just the rail fitting/bolts to do this? I've thought about drilling big jubilee clips for the job but doubt they'd be up to it (although only a 3.3hp).

As an aside, I've wondered about an emergency way of using the tender outboard as a 'get me into nearest port' on my 25 footer (about 2 tons) if the inboard fails. My transom-mounted boarding/swim ladder is the same diameter as the pushpit rails... would it be at all practical to move an outboard stowage bracket onto a rung on this & run the engine there (in an emergency!)??

Thanks in anticipation for any advice.

 

[Gordonmc]

You should be able to get SS "U" bolts with a 22mm internal diameter. Three should do the trick, two on a horizontal rail with one on a vertical. It worked on my last boat.

 

[bedouin]

You should be able to pick up the bits from a chandler. If nothing else Jimmy Green sell a "Offshore or RORC danbuoy holder" for less than £9 than contains all the bits you need.

 

[Strathglass]

Just bolt two pieces of 1" thick iroko with a piece of 3mm ply between them. Drill one or two 1" diameter holes through the centre, unbolt, through away the ply and you have an outboard bracket.
Iain

 

[Guest]

Your other option for stowage and use in an emergency is to buy a spring operated outboard bracket. You stow the outboard in the up position and use it as propulsion in the down position.

I tried this on my last boat. Be aware though that you might need a longshaft outboard to reach the water! Mine wasn't and wouldn't :-(

Regards,

Peter
http://www.mistressofmourne.com

 

[Joe_Cole]

Either PBO or Sailing Today (if I am allowed to mention the competition on this forum) gave details of exactly this bracket now being available for exactly what you are wanting to do. It was either in April or May issues.

Sorry it's a little vague

Joe

 

[Peter_the_Grate]

see PBO May 2002 page 131

 

[tonyleigh]

I used 2 ss U bolts. One on horizontal and one on sloping vertical and shaped iroko to match. Finished with Deks Oyl. Carries 2hp Honda and previously 2.5 Merc. 4 problem free seasons and no signs of trouble. Also thought of a similar idea for transom ladder but decided if conditions allowed my 2hp to push my 26' then it would be calm enough not to be necessary and prefer to rely on sails/anchor to compensate should inboard fail. Interested to hear what performance you get from 2hp on your similar sized vessel if you do try it.

 

[yoda]

I have an outboard bracket on the back of my 30 ft yacht which has a long overhang. 2.5 Mariner (standard shaft) makes about 2 - 3 knts in calm conditions and remains in the water most of the time coping quite well with a small swell / waves. ave done halfway across channel like that. Not good to manouver with but does get you somewhere. Bracket also makes good stowage in raised position.

 

[NickHarley]

Thanks!

Thanks for all the advice.
I'll have a scout around this w/e for either the U bolts or the purpose made bracket.

 

[tonyleigh]

Interesting - thanks. I had decided that should needs be (eg inboard fails in middle of shipping lane in flat calm) I would use inflatable lashed alongside but perhaps I should rethink. I tend not to carry much petrol anyway. Have you made a bracket to fit a boarding ladder?