tophatyachts.com

Hi,

My outboard arrives some time this week and was wondering how to go about cutting out the engine well hole?

Just a hacksaw blade?

Thanks for any tips

Hell Stonedpirate, What are you trying to do? If you a talking about cutting a hole in the cockpit and then through the hull ? It not as simple as it sounds, and you will need a bit more than an hacksaw ?
Little more detail and maybe a sketch might be helpful !

Regards Bear

Thanks Bear

Sry about the spelling, doing this from a mobile phone from the boat.

I mean the well where you put outboards in the cockpit

I think I have to agree with Bear Stonedpirate [ps what is your name I hate these web addresses]

If you haven't got the cutout, for an outboard engine, in the cockpit floor you are up for a MAJOR job
to put one in. I would dare to say you will not be able to do it before you sail south!

Question without notice: Are you talking about where you actually fix the outboard motor on?
If that is the case most Top Hats have a board fitted across the cockpit to take the engine.

Can somebody post a photo please, I couldn't find one in my collection showing an outboard in place.

I have a piece of wood for mounting the engine and the cutout is there. At the moment it is filled with a small hole where the cockpit drains I will take a pic shortly

If you have the mounting board in place, it is more than likely that the hole is already there and what you are seeing is a removable "plug" that can just pull up and out.

If it is fibreglassed in place, it may be quicker, easier and cheaper to bolt a lifting bracket over the back of the transom. If you do, make sure you use a decent backing board inside the hull for added strength, as the transom wasn't built to carry anything more than a boarding ladder,

Its full fiberglassed. THe previous owner said it can just be cut out.

Why would that be a big job? Was just going to use a power drill, drill holes all the way around it and knock it out.

Would that work?

Looks like someone just poured resin on top of a simple mold. Maybe check out the top view profile of your motor leg and prop, and just do a jig saw cut to this shape. This will help reduce surging in the well.

Thanks Ian, will do.

My theory is that it was open with a previous owner then another owner filled it in to stop the surging

Sp.
I'm not sure ? I think you will find that is a plug that was made for the Top Hat well .If you take a sharp chisel and carefully cut around the flange ,and then cut with a hacksaw blade ,I think you will find it will pop up .

I just cannot remember if it was the Top Hat or the Triton 24 that had the removable well floor.

The other idea was to cut just enough out to get the outboard to fit and adjust the hole to suit ? That way it might stop the blow hole effect !
I suppose inboards have some advantages ?

Cheers Bear

You could throw a bag of ice in there , as it make a great Esky ? And like Mike says hang it off the back ?