transom too thin for motor clamps

[Philip_G]

I'm trying to mount a kicker on a little 14' aluminum boat, and the clamps bottom out before it's tight on the transom.

I was thinking about using a piece of plywood or something to add some thickness, but I don't want anything that it could pop off of and lose the motor.

anyone have any ideas? I couldn't find any commercial products that really looked right

 

[JB]

Re: transom too thin for motor clamps

This sounds to me like it might be a boat rated for less HP than you are trying to mount on her.

Details, please.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: transom too thin for motor clamps

I've never heard of that. I've definitely experienced the opposite problem.

 

[ufm82]

Re: transom too thin for motor clamps

If you put a sizable piece of wood between the clamps and the transom and tighten them, I can't see it getting loose and losing anything, BUT, on any clamp-on outboard I always attached a cable from the outboard to the boat somewhere in case it did somehow get loose. This would restrain the outboard so at least it wouldn't become structure. I never had clamps come loose on me in the years I had that type of set-up but anything can happen.
Can you align the two clamp handles and put a padlock in the holes to lock the clamp handles in place? Every outboard I've seen will allow that and that will absolutely prvent loosening.

UFM82

 

[marcortez]

Re: transom too thin for motor clamps

A "kicker" for a 14' aluminum boat sometimes comes in the form of a set of oars.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: transom too thin for motor clamps

I'm trying to mount a kicker on a little 14' aluminum boat, and the clamps bottom out before it's tight on the transom.

I was thinking about using a piece of plywood or something to add some thickness, but I don't want anything that it could pop off of and lose the motor.

anyone have any ideas? I couldn't find any commercial products that really looked right

OK. You didn't provide much information. Are you trying to install a main outboard on your boat, or are you trying to add a small kicker alongside the main outboard?

If it's the former, then you need to build up the transom to at least 1.5" thick. If it's the latter, you're off the plywood pad for the main outboard. Add a pad for your kicker. It's that simple.

But, if you come back to this thread, be a little more specific about what you are trying to do. The more information you provide, the more help you will get.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: transom too thin for motor clamps

A "kicker" for a 14' aluminum boat sometimes comes in the form of a set of oars.

Oh, not necessarily. Lots of guys with 14' tinnies have a main outboard and a small kicker. On my 12' boat, the kicker is a transom-mount electric trolling motor. On my friend's boat, the main engine is a 25hp Johnson. He has a 4 hp Johnson alongside it for trolling and backup.

I think what may be happening here is that the OP has an outboard already mounted on the wooden pad at the center of the transom, and is now trying to mount a smaller outboard alongside that one, but there's no wooden pad for it.

If that's the case, then he needs to add a pad. Not complicated.

 

[Philip_G]

Re: transom too thin for motor clamps

This sounds to me like it might be a boat rated for less HP than you are trying to mount on her.

Details, please.

I'm putting a 9.5 on a 14' tracker designated 25hp or less.

 

[Philip_G]

Re: transom too thin for motor clamps

If you put a sizable piece of wood between the clamps and the transom and tighten them, I can't see it getting loose and losing anything, BUT, on any clamp-on outboard I always attached a cable from the outboard to the boat somewhere in case it did somehow get loose. This would restrain the outboard so at least it wouldn't become structure. I never had clamps come loose on me in the years I had that type of set-up but anything can happen.
Can you align the two clamp handles and put a padlock in the holes to lock the clamp handles in place? Every outboard I've seen will allow that and that will absolutely prvent loosening.

UFM82

I probably could padlock it, but I keep the boat in an outdoor storage yard so I keep the motor in the garage so it isn't stolen, even though it's not really worth anything.
reading other threads I was thinking a security chain to one of the handles on the back of the boat would be in order though, in case it does pop loose.
though the motor only pushes this boat 5.5mph at top speed.

 

[Philip_G]

Re: transom too thin for motor clamps

OK. You didn't provide much information. Are you trying to install a main outboard on your boat, or are you trying to add a small kicker alongside the main outboard?

If it's the former, then you need to build up the transom to at least 1.5" thick. If it's the latter, you're off the plywood pad for the main outboard. Add a pad for your kicker. It's that simple.

But, if you come back to this thread, be a little more specific about what you are trying to do. The more information you provide, the more help you will get.

this is the main outboard, I use an electric mounted off center too sometimes. The transom on this boat is flat all the way across and the same thickness, I'd guesstimate the transom is about 1.25" thick but I'd have to measure.
the clamps on the motor bottom out and hold it "well enough" to use, I've used it that way but I'd feel better if it's a little more secure
the transom also "feels" hollow, it doesn't feel as if there's any wood in between the inner and outer layers of tin.

I'll try to get pics of the transom and the motor clamps, but I have to run to work so it might be a couple days

 

[CATransplant]

Re: transom too thin for motor clamps

Is the wood visible? If so, glue and screw another layer of plywood on the inside, or add a pad to the outside of the transom. I'm assuming this is a typical V-hull aluminum boat with exposed wood as the pads. You just need another layer to give you some more thickness. 5/8" or 3/4" exterior plywood will do the job, and it needn't go all the way across the transom. It's just a pad for the clamps. You can put it inside or outside the transom. You can glue and screw it to the exposed wood, or drill it and bolt it, sealing the holes with 3M 5200.

It's an easy job. Just seal the plywood and paint it. It'll last for from 5-10 years, after which you'll replace it.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: transom too thin for motor clamps

Ah...belay that. I looked back and you have a transom with aluminum on both sides. It should have an interior made of wood. If it's springy and feels like there's nothing in there, that probably means that the wood is rotten and has turned to mush.

Forget what I said. You need to rebuild the transom first, then add a pad to thicken the clamping area. See the Boat Restoration forum. Lots of people have replaced the transom wood in boats like yours. Lots of good info there. There's no temporary fix that is adequate.

 

[Philip_G]

Re: transom too thin for motor clamps

I've been wondering if the wood wasn't shot, but I really think it's hollow, I'll look some more at how to get in there, I haven't figured out how to take the "cap" off like some others I've seen, I'll dig at it some more next time I'm at the boat. Or I'll just sell it and buy another