Mounting an Auxiliary....Ooooerr!
Posted: 03 Feb 2020, 19:03
Bit of a sticky subject this, some love them while others hate them. However, been asked about the aux. on another thread, so here goes.
As a just in case/peace of mind scenario we tend to carry one as often out alone and the only boat on the water. To be honest not too worried on mechanical engine failure as such, but more the risk of hitting prop, fouling on lines etc.
I acknowledge the best place to carry any aux is on the transom and all ready to be deployed at a moments notice. However, hanging of the back bouncing around all day at speed in swell and chop gives them a hard life, and we’re also often towing so not practical for us.
As a solution we carry our little 3.5 long shaft aux. inboard clamped to a timber yolk shaped pad 400 x 145 x 44mm, bolted through the transom knee brace. No need to drill the knee as utilised an existing drain hole. Only knocked up as a quick prototype out of an off-cut, it seems to work ok.
At 18kg the motor is reasonably easy to lift and attach to transom, depending on sea state, admittedly. In use we lock in straight ahead position and steer using main as a rudder...still just get full lock. Max speed is 5/6knots.
As a just in case/peace of mind scenario we tend to carry one as often out alone and the only boat on the water. To be honest not too worried on mechanical engine failure as such, but more the risk of hitting prop, fouling on lines etc.
I acknowledge the best place to carry any aux is on the transom and all ready to be deployed at a moments notice. However, hanging of the back bouncing around all day at speed in swell and chop gives them a hard life, and we’re also often towing so not practical for us.
As a solution we carry our little 3.5 long shaft aux. inboard clamped to a timber yolk shaped pad 400 x 145 x 44mm, bolted through the transom knee brace. No need to drill the knee as utilised an existing drain hole. Only knocked up as a quick prototype out of an off-cut, it seems to work ok.
At 18kg the motor is reasonably easy to lift and attach to transom, depending on sea state, admittedly. In use we lock in straight ahead position and steer using main as a rudder...still just get full lock. Max speed is 5/6knots.
- Matching pair....sad or what!
