Positioning of a back up outboard on swim platform

[Salacia]

Hi Folks

Just wondering what peoples thoughts are on positioning and max weights for a back up motor on a Bayliner 642 swim platform?

Thanks

Rob

 

[shrew]

The swim platform wasn't designed to be an engine bracket.

 

[Salacia]

So you wouldn't recommend it then?

 

[H20Rat]

How big of a motor are you thinking? A small hp kicker motor (like 2.5) doesn't put that much load or weight, and with a little ingenuity isn't that hard to mount.

Think of it this way, 2 average american adults standing on the swim platform is probably 20x the load that a 2.5hp kicker would ever put on it, under absolute worst case conditions.

 

[roffey]

I thought they made a bracket for a motor mount on a swim platform...

https://www.google.ca/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=...wim%20platform

 

[roffey]

I took out the thread for an old post, I went back and read it and found it to be completely useless,,, sorry.

 

[Salacia]

@ Roffey and Smokingcrater I was thinking of a small 2.5hp two stroke I can pick it up with one finger and it would be for my tender and getting me to a safe anchorage in a real push. I would like to go bigger but there is the question of strain on the platform and weight distribution. I.e. I would like it to one side out of the way but don't want to unbalance the boat as it doesn't have trim tabs.

 

[Salacia]

Sorry and yes you can buy a bracket for this purpose.

 

[roffey]

I've seen brackets just like you are looking for. One of them will bring the motor up in such a way as to store on its side and others are upright so the oil does not spill. I think if you have the right support across the swim platform you will be OK. My last boat had a swim ladder attached to the edge of my teak platform. I am 220 lb and had no problems with it and the torque I would put on it when standing on the last rung would be more than a motor.

I will check around and see if I can find a link or two and post them here....

 

[Starcraft5834]

I have a 2.5 Merc 4 stroke, it's 30 lbs... was thinking of exactly same thing as back up, bracket for attachment would work fine,, not so sure tho the length of the prop shaft will drop far enough into the drink to offer much help.... guess I have not measured waterline level off the swing platform either... with that said, assuming the platform is near enough to the water line to work, I'd suggest a "teather" line from engine,, in case while trying to lock it on the bracket it falls off.. would suck watching your $1000 kicker sink to the bottom of the drink...