Rotating outboard motor bracket

[Hydraulicjump]

Tugnut Braintrust,

Have any of you used this swivel outboard motor bracket on your inflatable or rib?

http://adventuremarine.ca/dinghy-access ... acket.html

We are thinking through how to avoid having to mount and remove the motor each time we launch the dinghy from the Weaver davits. Asking this because I would like to consider a slightly heavier motor (6hp) rather than the lightweight 2.5 hp or Torqueedo. I still don't trust the Lehr motors based on the numerous bad reviews (too bad...good idea, though). The problem with this motor mount is that you can't rotate the engine to vertical because the shaft runs into a tube. But the manufacturer anticipated that.

The alternative is the Weaver Bracket, but it has a Rube Golburg look to it and would require removing the patio rails.

https://www.weaverindustries.com/index. ... nghies.htm

Holler if any of you have experience with this.

And the alternative would be to lose the patio rails and go with a Hurley Davit system like Jim Favors uses--which keeps the rib flat. But the propane box uses up a lot of space and means you are sticking this dinghy way out behind the swim platform.

https://hurleymarine.com/shop/dinghy-da ... ghy-davit/

Input welcome.

Jeff

 

[Red Raven]

I saw this bracket used on two boats traveling up at Gorge Harbor this summer. Can't remember their names. They both had around 2.5 hp motors. I asked how they liked the mount and the only complaint was that the "tee" pin release interferes with the motor wing bolts. It was still workable though.

While a 2.5hp appeared to work fine I can see a few challenges with using this for 6hp. First, it may not have the clearance needed with the swim rail and the larger motor. Worst case the dinghy may not be able to be raised all the way vertical. Second, the added weight of the 6 hp motor may necessitate the need of the special curved weaver davit eyes that mount to the hard bottom of the dinghy. The drawing in the supplied link above shows this special davit connection (the curved piece around the dinghy tube) and so does the Weaver link. The tube mount may not be able to support that weight at speed. However, the rigid mount davits are available from Weaver so that is workable as well. Finally, with a 6hp the dinghy will be impossible to lift by hand without leverage. It is pretty tough to do even without the motor. Of course this solved by using the dinghy winch or block pulley system.

Just some things to consider. I am considering this option myself and weighing these trade offs. Let us know how it works out if you try it.

 

[Auklet]

Jeff --- No simple answers here. I have a swivel bracket that I have both loved and hated. The drawings on the site are accurate. My first application was for a Livingston hard dinghy. It was perfect. Trouble started when I traded the Livingston in on an inflatable. I didn't use standoffs with my Weaver davits. I leaned the boat forward and tied the top to the aft railing. Worked perfect for the inflatable but it left the motor horizontal. Not normally a problem but it was laying on the wrong side which caused flooding. My final solution was to remove the bracket and install a crab pot crane that I used to remove the engine each time. I have no complaint with the bracket itself. It's the application that gets tricky.
I still have the bracket and would make a good deal if someone is interested.
--- Cary ---