PUZZLED, Rotted wood is a front motor mount ?

al1026

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
May 17, 2007
Messages
101
Owing 20 years ,
​21 ft 1984 walk around cuddy cabin fisherman model sea ray .
​Comments at boat ramp, Never knew sea ray made a walk around. cuddy , nice boat
. Original 4 cylinder 488 IO engine was done
​Covered boat protecting from weather &; rodents until I find another engine

In the mean while I purchased a 31 footer marina kept boat . Both offer different advantages
Have too tell you boaters after owing a gas guzzler , marina fees, twin engines packed so tight you have too be a small person too do any work , I have a new appreciation for my old sea ray . 50 bucks fuel use, easy too work on, no marina fees.

​Found a like new 3.7 mercruiser . Figuring easy swap ,
Pulled old engine , discovered soft areas in transom especially around gimbal from inside engine room
Transom repair is what it is

​I am ​PUZZLED the front motor mount
​No visible stringers coming into engine room too attach this motor mount ?
This motor mount is just a piece of wood running left too right just in front of the bulk head that separates ​fuel tank from engine room . Looks like its a inch thick ​held in place with glass . Wood is rotten , layers separating. Motor mounts are generally steel or aluminum bolted too something .
Is this type of motor mount common in smaller boats ? NO visible stringers coming into engine room . There are larger pieces of ply wood
​up further which looks like it holds floor which is firm .

​Lots of great info re transom work and if it goes smooth could be a fun project , but never doing it before I question my ability and patience
I am just puzzled on this wood that holds in place a 500 lb motor

​thanks as always
 

Bayou Dave

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Dec 13, 2012
Messages
1,780
I believe wood motor mounts are common. My '87 Rinker had wood front motor mounts, just small blocks fiberglassed in like yours are.
 

JASinIL2006

Vice Admiral
Joined
Feb 10, 2012
Messages
5,715
Lots of small boats, especially from the '80s, had wood motor mounts encased in fiberglass.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,089
Ayuh,... Very common motor mount,... The wood accepts the lag bolts,....
 
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