bolting outboard to transom??

[darmandude]

Hello guys, I've got a concern about the outboard on my boat. To keep the prop at the right placement, I have to use a 1 1/4" spacer on the top edge of my transom. That puts my transom clamps very close to the top of my transom. The motor (homelite 55) has bolt mounting holes in the lower part of the transom clamps. I really don't like the idea of putting holes in the tranasom. What to do?????

[Wally]

Absolutely, bolt it down!!!!

I know a fellow who had an old Merc motor on a classic NW runabout. He was zipping around to show it to people on a dock. Suddenly, the RPMs went through the roof and then it went silent.

He looked around and the motor was in the water hanging by the control cables. There were prop gash marks on the top of the transom on the starboard side. That's the direction you'd expect the torque of the old Merc lower unit to lift.

Bolt it down. I have heard 2 other stories about unbolted motors coming off on Hood Canal. Thank goodness, none of these stories are mine!

[Skagitguy]

Put 3M 5200 Polyurethane Adhesive /Sealant ( ideal for underwater thru hull fittings) around the bolt hole and inside of the transom as well to keep any water from coming in. I have always put four bolts thru the transom. Look at the picture and you will see the holes in the transom. Chuck

[Bflaherty]

Bolt it down

I personally have had 3 different motors come off the transom because I was flat out too lazy to deal with drilling the holes and sealing them up to prevent leaks... The third time nearly killed my best friend as it was a merc 1000 running WOT and my buddy was in the back seat right next to where the prop came up out of the water!!

Chuck (Skagitguy) is right, use the 3M 5200 sealant, that stuff works great but make sure you were gloves cause it takes serious chemicals to get that stuff off you and your tools...

[Skagitguy]

Brian, Serious Chemicals ?? Screw the chemicals ! We "Old School " guys just washed our hands down with a little paint thinner ! Now-a-days i use gloves on just about everything i do like 5200, paint,etc. Just giving you a bad time, You are right. Chuck

[darmandude]

Thanks for all the imput on this guys. I'm looking forward to having her in the water this spring, without the motor falling off. It looks like I should put the bolts through from the inside with fender washers and seal them in real good, kind of permanent I guess, then put washers and nylock nuts on the outside, right? Stainless of course.

[Karl]

Don't worry. With 5200, you can knock your bolts out someday if needed. I goop up the drilled out holes as well.

[Bflaherty]

Thanks for all the imput on this guys. I'm looking forward to having her in the water this spring, without the motor falling off. It looks like I should put the bolts through from the inside with fender washers and seal them in real good, kind of permanent I guess, then put washers and nylock nuts on the outside, right? Stainless of course.

You definitely want the bolt installed from the inside out, that way if by some act of nature the nylock come loose the bolt is still there to act in shear and hopefully keep the motor attached. Like Karl said, goop the holes heavily, goop the bolts lightly and push through and tighten down. Chuck is right a little paint thinner, or brake clean (the good chlorinated kind) on a rag will easily clean up the excess that oozes all over everything...

Good luck! Hope to see you on the water!!

[Outlaw]

dude, if you haven't already I would put on a 4" setback jackplate, then you can dial it in for best height and performance. your setting too high on that transom.
Outlaw