Kicker motor safety cable

[rebars1]

I am installing a West Marine kicker motor bracket on my boat and has a couple of questions:
1. It came with a safety cable, but no instructions on where, how or what to attach it to. One end has a loop and the other end has a carabener clip.
2. The instructions say for transoms thinner than 2" to use a backer plate for the mounting bolts. Should this be one plate for all four bolts, or square plate washers for each bolt?

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... I'd guess ya wanta hook the loop to something good, 'n solid, 'n use the snap-hook on the motor,......

Maybe 'tween the brackets, or, substitute an eye bolt for an attachin' bolt,....

For the backin' plates, 1/2" plywood, catchin' as many mountin' bolts as possible,....
Sometimes ya gotta do what ya gotta do, individual backers can work,....

 

[rebars1]

Thanks Bondo. Attach the cable directly to the boat, not to the bracket- got it.

 

[airshot]

On mine I have a pc of 1/4" plate large enough to capture all 4 mounting bolts, used SS bolts so no rust. Made my own safety cable as I have an I/O there is a stantion on the rear deck that mounts a trolling board for down riggers. I wrapped the cable around the station and also wrapped it around the motors mounting bracket with SS cable and added a padlock. Can easily be removed for service and a deterrent for thieves. Kicker motors are way to expensive to loose one at sea.