The motor-mount saga

Just so you know, my first attempt at lamination seems to have turned out beautifully. More on that when I tell you about making the wedge to put the motor mount on, so the engine could hang straight off of my slanted stern.

I've been working on getting everything ready to mount the motor. I have been thi-i-i-i-i-is close for about a week... Funny how, the closer you get to a problem, the more of it you see. And then, just when you think you've got it all, it pups.

All right, here's a little context. I bought a motor mount, with a cool hydraulic arm to help lower and raise the motor, for little more than a song. It was rated for 15 hp or less, but that's what I was looking for anyway.

As it happens, I got a killer deal on a 25 hp motor. Since the motor is fairly light for its size, I thought it would be fine on that mount. (Some of you gearheads are snickering, aren't you?)

I cleaned and lubricated everything on the mount, which considering all the bolts and all the fiddly little bits is saying a good deal. I wanted the action as smooth as possible. This would make a big difference in the apparent weight of the engine, improving its usefulness to me.

I also lubricated the shaft of the hydraulic arm, as it was sticky at each end of the stroke. Unfortunately, this made things worse. (Fewer of you gearheads get that, but you're laughing even harder than before. I sure would appreciate an explanation about why this happened.)

I went to the Outboard Motor Shop and spoke to Barney, who was very helpful. It would cost over $160 to replace that part -- considerably more than the cost of a new mount, especially if I got it from the same place as before. Then, bless him, he asked about my motor. I told him what I told you about which I bought first etc., and he said, shaking his head, "Oh no, you can't use that mount with that motor. That amount of torque will wreck your mount and you'll lose your engine into the water." He used a twisting, tossing gesture that conjured images of mayhem.

Swinging mounts rated for 25 hp engines started at around $550. There were no non-swinging mounts for engines over 15 hp.

He said my best bet was to fabricate a non-swinging mount, and use the cowl lift to get the motor out of the water when I need to. We tried to find specs for a 25 hp motor mount, but it looks like common sense will have to be my guide.

I don't know about you, but I don't find that reassuring.

On my way out, the receptionist asked if Barney was helpful. I said, "Yes, very." I hesitated a moment, since she was still reacting to my shellshocked expression. I added, "Life just got a little cheaper, but a lot more complicated." She wished me luck.

I already have a Plan A, B, and C in mind, but rather than expending time, money, and energy on getting started, I think I'll take some ibuprofen and send this problem to the "mulling over" part of my brain, maybe do some research on foot-pounds of torque and the resistance of various materials... you know, try to come up with something that wouldn't drop my drive in the drink.

I had this wild idea my motor would be mounted before I took off for New York on the 23rd. Going for a couple of sails in my own boat was going to put me in a frame of mind that could endure almost 2 weeks in that city with reasonable grace.

Well, it might happen. No, really, it could. If things fall together amazingly well. So... how many of you are putting money on that? rofl