Need someone smarter than me.

[John S]

I need help.

I'm ready to build the bracket to mount my BF-2 honda to my handrail on my Tomcat using starboard.

Now I can only find one person's bracket, only Bob's on Thataway. I know there is another one out there with photos, but I'm not good enough to find it. I want to compare before I start cutting this expensive board.

Help!!

Anyone??

 

[Doryman]

This has nothing to do with your Starboard project but I was looking at your album and was wondering about your compass installation, on the centerline of the boat. Isn't that difficult to read from the helm? Reason I ask is that installing a magnetic (or maybe electronic) compass is one of my next projects.

Warren

 

[Adeline]

I was talking to my inflatable dealer about ideas for creating a "perch" for my motor when he produced a rail-mount made of starboard. I don't have any rails in the cockpit so I didn't pay too much attention. I'll be talking to him Tuesday and I'll get dimensions and other info and report back.

 

[thataway]

The material I used on the dinghy motor mount came from a swim step on another boat I bought for salvage and repaced the swim step on. The desgin was based on what I had (the goove in the center was only because it was part of the swim step design) I also wanted to mount the motor on the swim lader bracket for a low power trolling motor. The U bolt engs were cut off and smoothed before the engine was mounted.

You will need to have the thickness at the top for the clamps. The railing has nonskid deck tape on it, so that the mount will not slip---or may not slip much....The mount comes off the rail in about 3 minutes with a socket set.

There is not secret to the design--what is strong enough for the motor and is out of the way are two of the perimeters I wanted. I do pad the prop and lower leg with a piece of carpet held in place with a bunge cord.
So far in a bit over 1000 miles, it has been satisfactory. It could be made of plywood instead of Starboard--but I like the Starboard because it does not detiorrate.

 

[Discovery]

John S

Here's what I did to mount the Honda 2HP on a TC255



Of course the TC24 would be different, but a similar mount should work. The TC24 cockpit is a little smaller, but has the same general layout.

 

[John S]

Sorry I disappeared snowmobiling for a couple days.

But, thanks for the help guys (and gals). I played with a chunk of 2x6 and the BF-2. I worked on different positions to look for the best solution. I checked all my measurements and think I have a good plan. Now I have to get the stainless steel clamps. We have no marine supply close, so I'll probably have to order the clamps.

Bob, you used 1 1/2" clamps. My SS rail measures 1", is there any reason I shouldn't use 1" clamps??

I like the non-slip idea on the rail.

BOTH you guys doubled up the 3/4" starboard, was that definitely necessary or do you think I could get away with just one board supported close to where the motor would mount? I think this Honda BF-2 only weighs around 36 lbs.

As for the compass question, (I think that was for me.) My compass is really just a back up. I have two permanent mapplotter GPS's mounted in the boat and I carry a battery operated mapplotter handheld as a back up. To view the compass I would really need to move the top GPS now. It's a real nice compass and it came with the boat, I just don't normally use it.