Looks great, Doug, but as someone who's had a welded aluminum structure fail at the wrong moment, I'd strongly suggest putting some gussets in the corners so the structure can't flex sideways and stress those welds unnecessarily.
I don't understand why someone would go to such trouble to extend the outboard motor aft for it also extends the weight aft and most importantly the motor controls aft! Now, it seems, you have to bend over to pull start the motor as well as extend the emergency wrist coil engine kill should you fall over board. Not to mention the obvious, the out-of-reach throttle control handle. Why? I can't speak for all sailors, but I would not want any more lines stretching into and over other controls leading into the cockpit. I could be wrong, but what are the benefits to out weigh the extended motor mount?!! I just do not understand what this new mounting design does for the short handed sailor.
I extended my commercial fixed motor mount on my M17 by several inches in order to let it tilt up all the way. Otherwise the head hits the transom. I extended the shift lever by slipping a 1" PVC pipe over it and heating to form fit it.
The Tohatsu is a great motor, but because it has a forward and neutral shifter, it can only tilt forward. This requires more room between the mount and the transom for some installations. For those who like, or have the Tohatsu, pushing it out farther is a compromise many have to make so the motor doesn't drag under sail.
Great job, Doug! - Marty
Looks great, Doug, but as someone who's had a welded aluminum structure fail at the wrong moment, I'd strongly suggest putting some gussets in the corners so the structure can't flex sideways and stress those welds unnecessarily.
Ingenious and attractive. As suggested by Marty Loken (see below) gussets would be a good idea.
Great project, and a very well documented article.
Well done, and many thanks.
I don't understand why someone would go to such trouble to extend the outboard motor aft for it also extends the weight aft and most importantly the motor controls aft! Now, it seems, you have to bend over to pull start the motor as well as extend the emergency wrist coil engine kill should you fall over board. Not to mention the obvious, the out-of-reach throttle control handle. Why? I can't speak for all sailors, but I would not want any more lines stretching into and over other controls leading into the cockpit. I could be wrong, but what are the benefits to out weigh the extended motor mount?!! I just do not understand what this new mounting design does for the short handed sailor.
I extended my commercial fixed motor mount on my M17 by several inches in order to let it tilt up all the way. Otherwise the head hits the transom. I extended the shift lever by slipping a 1" PVC pipe over it and heating to form fit it.
The Tohatsu is a great motor, but because it has a forward and neutral shifter, it can only tilt forward. This requires more room between the mount and the transom for some installations. For those who like, or have the Tohatsu, pushing it out farther is a compromise many have to make so the motor doesn't drag under sail.
Looks really nice.
Nice job on the welding. Ideally best to send it out for anodizing. That will insure long life.