Inboard Removal
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I hope to haul the inboard out of our boat before the NAs in September. Because we will race CORK at the end of August before the boat comes out of the water, I’ll have about a week to pull everything, fill the driveshaft hole, and fair the bottom.
Has anyone done this work? Were there any issues?
I will also need to install an outboard motor mount. Any suggestions?
Leave it in! get them to agree to adjust your time by 3 seconds a mile. (yeah, I know….fat chance) Actually, you can tow them all out to the course and get a favor? Or race as is and see if it really is slower. (can you tell I have an inboard?)
For the outboard bracket, I use four bolts through the transom, like on the Melges 24 [but on the transom, not the cockpit sole]. Each bolt has a copper bushing and large washer on the OUTSIDE to raise the bolt head above the surface of the transom. I fashioned the bracket with four keyhole-shaped openings that drop over the bolt-heads and then fall into place. I rely on gravity and friction to keep the engine in place. I think this has a couple of advantages over the extruded plate that came with the boat. Firstly, one can clearly see that the mount is in place Secondly, I think it looks better than the big transom plate. I’ll send pictures if you like. It has the same disadvantage as the original mount, which is that it is hard to install/remove in a seaway. Good luck with the removal of the inboard. I think you are on the right track there.
Bruce – I’d agree if we were just sailing PHRF at KYC, but every time the Collins Bay guys are in the same piece of lake you can see the difference. The inboard is definitely easier to deal with, especially when motoring in waves, but the 200 pounds of weight and prop drag are a killer for one-design racing.
Al – Thanks for the tip. I’d love to see pics when you get a chance. Is your whole bracket custom, or did you start with a commercial bracket and modify?
I would suggest a skilsaw, with the blade set to 1″. Trace out an area on the bottom of the hull approximately 3’x6″, centered on the hull, beginning approximately two feet behind the keel. Cut. That should take care of removal. For repair, I hear Home Depot just received a load of Duck Tape.
YMMV
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