Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
I just picked up new outboard bracket for my new Tohatsu.
I picked up Panther 550410. And I have a question now.
When the bracket is all the way up and I placed it against transom, I won't be able to lower it as handle is touching the transom.
See image:
Should I add some sort of shim to move the bracket out a bit???? Is that ok to do?
One guy at the marina told me that those mounts are not meant for sailboats, and they're only meant for trolling motors. I can't really see that... and advice like that i tend to take with a grain of salt.
There exists a perfect mount for the Catalina 25 and that is not it. It is wasted effort to use anything but the Garhauer from catalinadirect.com. You should return that mount... I promise.
I don't think there's anything particularly "bad" about your mount and reading it's documentation they specifically call out "auxiliary" engines, so the advice about them not being used for sailboats seems a bit specious. As Frank points out there's just a better one for your application. If it's possible to return that mount and get the Garhauer he's recommended you'll probably be glad you did. On my boat I installed a Garelick mount for my Tohatsu 9.8, but keep in mind we have a C-250, not a C-25.
If you can't return it, you can certainly build a wedge for it, or simply an offset. On my last sailboat, I built a wedge for it out of UHMW (Ultra High Molecular Weight) plastic that worked very well, but you could also use wood or plywood (well sealed against moisture). My current Garelick mount is bolted through a piece of 3/8" thick UHMW (otherwise known as a cutting board), which gave me enough clearance past the transom.
I'll agree with the others, the Garhauer bracket would be better. However, if you use the one you have, mount a piece of Starboard under it, on the transom. That may give you the clearance you need. I think I recall a photo of someone else's bracket mounted that way.
It looks like the Garelick, which is a very nice, robust bracket--several people here have used them--including Frank. This Panther might have a little too much spring strength (for a <= 263# motor)--you might have to stand on the outboard to get it down.
It's a good idea to make a plate of something like Starboard for the outside of the transom, as well as a backer plate inside, to spread the load on the fiberglass--whichever bracket you use. Two half-inch pieces (or a single 1") might give you the clearance you need.
An advantage of the Garhauer (available from Catalina Direct) is that it uses the same bolt holes as the factory original (unless the original was the Fulton that was used in the first couple of years but not on your '85). I think it also has more vertical travel--not sure--which is good for an extra-long shaft.
There is just no justification for "making something work" when the perfect piece of equipment exists and is reasonably priced. I promise. There are issues other than the distance from the transom for the handle. Most "aux" mounts do not drop deeply enough, they assume that parallel to the water is fine, it is not on a C 25, you need the angle of the bracket to actually go down past parallel. A sailboat that is in heavy seas from astern will bob like a cork and the engine will coe up out of the water more often if is is not adequately "down". There are topics where there can be a lot of discussion and where many of us have made things work, but on this topic the there is little room for discussion. I promise.
Thanks for all the feedback! I'm usually really particular on doing homework before I purchase something, but in terms of the bracket I went with whatever was recommended when i picked up the motor. Damn.
I might be able to exchange it. I just checked their catalog and they stock Garelick and Panther.
Also my launch date is on 27th so I won't even have time to get it shipped from Catalina Direct... damn again.
What is the vertical travel on the Garhauer?? Looking at CatalinaDirect I think it's 17 1/4"? Wow.. The unit I picked up only has 10". I suppose 10" is not enough! I'm getting into panic mode now.
I ordered the 4 spring model from CD last week. UPS tracking says I should receive it by this coming Friday. They do offer expedited shipping - it will cost you, but I suspect you can get it by your launch date.
Hey OJ... how do you find this Garelick unit? I will be talking to the folks at the store tomorrow... but I'm quite certain they stock Garelick units as well.
Although it looks really similar to the panther unit.
ok... i've taken all your feedback and I will be returning the Panther bracket and I just placed the order for the 4 spring bracket from Catalina Direct.
sort of on the topic question. In terms of the motor: do you guys use extra long shafts? or just long shafts?
The fellow from CD was awesome - based on my first experience buying from them, the customer service is amazing. But he seemed little surprised that I got ultra long shaft (25"). I hope that's not another mess up that i've done. :-)
Szymek - where are you? I have a spare mount in my basement from an older boat that would be no problem to send your way. Fire me an email and we can work out a price.
I just saw you are in Milton. I work in Whitby. We can work something out if you want.
I am replacing my 20" motor with a 25". The old motor was normally adequate, but with the keel and big enough chop, the prop would sometimes come out of the water. I am very confident that the 25" will be better (but I have not yet taken delivery.)
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by pfduffy</i> <br />...I am very confident that the 25" will be better...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">It will.
Prospector: Thanks soo much for the offer!!! I've placed the order this am and the new mount was shipped out today already. I'm suppose to get it on Tuesday so I hope I won't find anymore surprises as launch date is on Friday. Getting little stressed.
I've been planning to get new motor for last couple years... finally got enough to get it this year. I"m super excited about this season as I did few other upgrades as well.
Thanks everyone for all your feedback on the bracket and the motor!!!!
I use a a piece of 2x10 or 2x12 on my Catalina. That moved the motor out the needed amount. I have coated it with Cetol and all seems fine. The Garelick mount has plenty of travel and the extra long shaft is necessary.
It was pouring rain today, but on the way home I just dropped by the marina to make sure the holes are the same pattern. And....... you got it. I don't have to re-drill new holes or anything like that. Even handle touching the transom... not an issue! It's a direct replacement. So I'm very happy.
Although I forgot to order the backing plate for inside of the transom. On the bright side, I found local metal shop that can set me up with those SS plates (L shaped) for 20 for a pair! I just hope to find time to pick them up. Drilling through them might be another issue - but I'll cross that bridge when I get there.
Do you guys use those backing plates? Which sealant should I use on the bolts?? When i took off the old bracket it had some kind of weird material under the mounting rails - honestly kind of like playdough - but i found it in numerous places, so i have a feeling the previous owner did that. But anyways, can I just place the bracket directly on transom or should I put something under the mounting rails??
Nice looking mount and no need to drill...Awesome!
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by szymek</i> <br />When i took off the old bracket it had some kind of weird material under the mounting rails - honestly kind of like playdough...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Sounds like the sealant was Dolfinite which is sort of like plumbers putty or play doh. This stuff has been used for years (I think my companionway trim was originally bedded with Dolfinite?) and is easy to work with and even easier to remove later on. I've heard it's best to use this when frequent removal of a fitting is required.
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by dlucier</i> <br />Nice looking mount and no need to drill...Awesome! <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yes... I hate drilling holes in boats if not needed. :-)
Sounds like the sealant was Dolfinite which is sort of like plumbers putty or play doh. This stuff has been used for years (I think my companionway trim was originally bedded with Dolfinite?) and is easy to work with and even easier to remove later on. I've heard it's best to use this when frequent removal of a fitting is required. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
You're right... i did all the trim work last year so I ended up taking off all trim around the companionway and lots of that stuff underneath as well.
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by pastmember</i> <br /> Congrats. Now you see why we were so insistant.
I used starboard and fender washers. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Absolutely! I'm very glad that I asked on this forum. It ended up costing me bit more... but at the end of the day... I'm pleased. This mount is a direct replacement!
In the instructions they recommend using backing plate that is flat. But they recommend putting some resin under before drilling.
Since I can get the two rails for 20, i"ll just go with that. It does have more strength given it's L shaped and SS. But by doing some research over last few days seems most people just use starboard with lots of success. If for some reason I can't get the rails tomorrow on the way back from work, I'll go for starboard.
The instructions that came with the bracket are awesome! Dated 1979 with last revision in 1985! Nice tech drawings - hand drawn!
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.