mounting for outboard

[Killick69]

New job on my list is replacement of the timber piece that the outboard screws onto. The timber, although substantial has started to crack. How is the timber piece attached on your Top Hat......
screwed on fast or with springs? On Night Cap there is a vertical piece of decking timber up against the Fibreglass each side, with springs forward of the decking timber pieces and then further forward the substantial (about 1 inch wide) timber piece. There are 4 bolts and 4 springs.What are the pros and cons of having springs as opposed to screwing the timber piece in hard? If springs are the way to go, any suggestions as to best ones to use?

Happy New Year to all.
John

[Shaun]

Hi John,
Im not sure what you mean by "springs"?

From memory....When I went from a 6hp to an 8hp, the 8hp was tight in the well.the piece of merbau decking each side, behind the OB mounting timber was installed to move the OB further fwd enabling it to swivel in the well. The whole lot is bolted, I dont recall any springs??

Happy New Year to You
cheers

[storm petrel]

Hi John,

My MkII has an inboard but the timber support for the outboard is still fitted. It is held in place by several large coach bolts on each side.

Cheers,
Mark

[Killick69]

Hi Shaun,
I bet you are looking forward to starting your adventure down south. Thanks for the info. I thought the merbau decking pieces might be spacers to position the o/board further forward. It is a tight fit in the well. There is a gap between the Mounting Board and the Merbau pieces and it appears there are springs in there. Furthermore, the motor moves a fair bit, as one opens/eases the throttle (also when the motor surges in rougher seas). The motor touches the transom and has made a groove in the fibreglass. I noticed that this has happened on another TH also (this TH has the mounting board screwed on tight). The Merbau spacers have endured well. Do you know what timber the mounting board is made from. Fortunately the mounting board is well shaped and I can use it as a template for the new mounting board.

Cheers, John

[Tales]

The reason the leg touches the back of the well when sailing is that the tilt lock is not engaged unless you leave the gear in reverse.
There is less drag if you leave the gear in neutral but the tilt lock is still not engaged.
I shortened the gear selector rod on my outboard so that the tilt lock is engaged all the time.
Cheers,
Tom