Power assisted outboard bracket

galeus

galeus

Well-Known Member
Joined
12 Mar 2005
Messages
330
Location
Ipswich
Visit site
I'm more or less sure I,m going to buy one of these,expensive though they are:-
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/sto...mp;ci_sku=59079
I would be very interested in any thoughts you may have.We have a back up 10hp o/b and often do coastal trips and I've realised that there is no way when the weather is worse than expected that I would be able to lower the o/b and start it.I would also need a electric start o/b and would probably go for the dearer of the two brackets as it's not a lot more,should be easily on top of the job and possibly more saleble if circumstances change.As my wife says, you can,t put a price on safety.

Thanks Richard
 
OOh not seen one of those before.

Looks a good even if rather expensive idea. But add the price to the price of an engine and I think I'd rather make sure the inboard was in good nick and carry a few spares.

For a 9.9 hp or even 15 hp engine I cant see any advantage of the larger one though.

You'll need a longshaft (20") engine. Get an extra longshaft (25") if you can.
 
The spring loaded bracket I have an 8 hp Honda 4 stroke on gives sufficient lift to make raising it or lowering very light work. Cost about £ 50.

The Honda weighs about 50 kgs.The bracket is rated for 10hp.

015-2.jpg


The smaller bracket offset to port takes the dinghy motor should it ever be needed.
 
I have an o/b bracket which looks similar to the powered bracket.
The motor is easy to drop but more difficult to lift.
The thrust of the motor can tend to cause it to lift depending on how far down the bracket is.
The price of the powered bracket is a lot. I think I would build sommething similar in design with a locking device a plate on mine latches the bracket in normal mid position.
For your emergency engine lowering should be no problem and presumably you are not so concerned about raising again.

I think you should persue the extra long shaft option so that hopefully you can rely on manual start and manual lowering.

In the end the o/b becomes less useful as the weather worsens however an extra long shaft would be an advantage.

The problem in waves/ pitching boat is that the degree of pitch or wave size is limited between the motor under water at one moment and prop out of the water next. So extra long shaft is better. This is slightly aleviated by o/b in a well but much better with i/b engine.
My own choice is to do without engine but then nasty waves are only caused by wind here. So little chance of being becalmed in rough water.
good luck olewill
 
Since others folk are posting pictures this (click the pic) is a 6hp longshaft weighing 27.4 kg on bracket said to be suitable for a 8hp motor IIRC. Even on such a small transom it is one hell of a struggle to lift. In fact I often leave it down while sailing.
<span style="color:white"> ............................................................ </span>
 
If its a struggle Vic I can strongly recommend one of the spring loaded jobs. Before fitting we had it in the vice to try it out and it was a real struggle to push it down by hand.Of course once you add the weight of the motor it becomes a one handed job to raise or lower.

I know that most have a spring of sorts but some of the newer ones are pretty powerfull.Unfortunately I cant tell you what model it is as I didnt buy it but you could look at whats on offer in chandlers.
 
Its a "Swingdown outboard motor bracket model 1014" made by B. A Ellis & Co of Nottingham.

Actually intended I now see for 10Hp engines. Fully sprung, made of anodised aluminium with stainless steel springs and nylon and PTFE bushes etc. Compared with some I have seen on chanders pretty well made. One of the attractions is its full 14" of lift , more than any other I have seen.

Maybe the springs have weakened. I have to admit that it was fine with the previous engine which was a lot lighter than the current one. I can still lift and carry that one but the present one has grown so heavy over the years that I can only just about manage to get it into a wheel barrow when I have to shift it . IIRC the old outboard even needed a bit of a push to get it all the way down.

It would be nice to fit heavier duty one but this one will have to do for the remaining time I own the boat. Probably not much longer!
 
I took this picture yesterday of ours. I am only of average strength and can raise and lower the 50 kg motor easilly one handed.

001-4.jpg


The handle at the top only has space for one hand,this must be the way its designed to be used.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top