Rail Mounted OB Motor - How Big is Too Big?

montenido · #1 (**permalink**) 07-27-2010

Hi all,

I am getting ready to hit Catalina Island for the first time aboard my C36. For the Channel Islands I usually tow my dinghy behind with the motor attached. The trip to Catalina is about 60 miles, so I thought I would keep my dinghy on deck. The OB that I am going to use is a Nissan 9.9 2-stroke. It weighs about 80 pounds. Is that too much weight for the stern railing to handle for a day?

I could always tow the dinghy with the motor attached, but that is a fairly long haul and I would hate to run into problems.

Thanks in advance, Bill

TQA · #2 (**permalink**) 07-27-2010

80 lbs should not be a problem. Your board should be bolted to both upper and lower rails. I carry a 15hp and so do loads of liveaboards. I have never seen a rail mount fail. [ cue for a string of posts with pics of destroyed mounts ]

Dinghy on deck too please it is safer and you will pick up 1/2 a knot at least!

dhays · #3 (**permalink**) 07-27-2010

We carried the same motor on the stern rail of our Catalina 36 for years. Never a problem. Enjoy the sail.

Dave

montenido · #4 (**permalink**) 07-27-2010

Great, thanks for the replies. I will mount it on the rail. Now, has anybody made their own OB lifting harness? It shouldn't be that hard.

As far as lifting and lowering, I plan on using a block on the end of the boom. Does that sound right?

Thanks again, Bill

DwayneSpeer · #5 (**permalink**) 07-27-2010

Using a block and tackle on the end of your boom would be a quick and cheap alternative but you'll be left with lifting it onto your stern rail. It's not that hard to make your own custom lift that mounts on the stern rail also. A possible place to get all of the needed supplies is Suncor.com. And I'm not associated with them in any way. I'm just impressed with their large assortment of stainless hardware.