custom outboard motor mount questions

[rentalrider]

Ok, I could use some help with outboard motor location. I've built a custom mount which fits in the receiver hitch for a big trip planned in a couple weeks. Problem is that my motor is a short shaft. When I get it up high enough to be used effectively the bottom of prop is approx 7" off ground when sitting on a flat. Is this too high? There will be two of us when using this outboard and one person will be in back to steer. There will also be gear back there as well. Do these level out in water with more weight in back or am I gonna just be spinning a dry prop in the lake? For the record it's an 8x8 response 18hp on 22" runamucks. Thanks in advance.

[Bud]

I think that you already know the answer.

You need a long shaft. Even if you can get the prop in the water by moving cargo and passengers back, it will not engage enough water when it spins.

[North Country Tough]

Because I cant seem to scare up the intelligence to post pics in the forum,check out my gallery for how I did a outboard bracket.Cheers NCT

[foxvalley]

Ok, I could use some help with outboard motor location. I've built a custom mount which fits in the receiver hitch for a big trip planned in a couple weeks. Problem is that my motor is a short shaft. When I get it up high enough to be used effectively the bottom of prop is approx 7" off ground when sitting on a flat. Is this too high? There will be two of us when using this outboard and one person will be in back to steer. There will also be gear back there as well. Do these level out in water with more weight in back or am I gonna just be spinning a dry prop in the lake? For the record it's an 8x8 response 18hp on 22" runamucks. Thanks in advance.

One issue that was brought to my att. when I was planning on making a rack that plugged in the back reciever, is the torque put on the reciever itself.I just checked out north countrys pic of his reciever, looks good,but has it been tried and true? It was suggested to me to make braces that attached to the rail to help with the torque issue in my case.

[Bazooo guy]

Because I cant seem to scare up the intelligence to post pics in the forum,check out my gallery for how I did a outboard bracket.Cheers NCT

Heres the link ....nice setup for the outboard.

[rentalrider]

Well, mine isn't that fancy That is SUPER nice though a little overkill for my '50s lightwin motor. Good news is I tried it last night and with my fat arse in back it worked great! My son was giving argo throttle and I was in back running outboard. Moved well, no grabbing air and it maneuvered super! Thanks to all!

[foxvalley]

Why do I feel so spooked about all this?

[rentalrider]

Spooked? You mean trusting that hitch? If that's what you mean I'm not concerned with my setup. When in the mounted position (I'll only be mounting mine when entering water, tight woods wouldn't allow otherwise where I'll be) It sits straight above the mount. No leverage applied. The motor is light and I positioned the mount so that the carry handle is about 1/4" above the rubber piece sealing two tub pieces. Any flex would be absorbed there. Add to this that it's made out of steel I had laying around (3/16" thick 4" u-channel lol- a little overkill) and that Until starting it turns 90deg to side and folds/rests on tub cutout with bungee holding it there. I believe with the current design I could put a 60hp on there and not be concerned lol. It would be fun pulling a skier with the argo though!!

[North Country Tough]

The bracket that is in use on my Avenger has been in place and used extensively for eight years with no issues,this machine spends a great deal of time in the water(our cottage is water access)fully loaded.The Avenger has a pretty darn heavy duty receiver as compared to my other older Argo,s,I have inspected it often and not seen any stretching or cracking,I did replace the bolts with a good grade but other than that nothing special,when I get to the cottage i pull the pin set the whole thing on the ground till needed,works for me and will accept short or long shaft.Cheers NCT

[foxvalley]

Yes, it's the reciever. I have a whole laundry list of cool stuff that I wanted to build and plug in to the reciever, but the torque thing seemed to be an issue to be aware of according to some of the viewers on this site. The way the reciever is bolted on, you never would think so, but that reciever is a great place for my good friend "murphy" to hang out. Looks like if anything would happen, it would be the bolts themselves that would fail.If thats the case,and the reciever tears off,you will sink very fast.Trust me, been there, done that. Be careful, Doug

[North Country Tough]

Understand your concerns foxvalley but so far fool proof,the motor is transported on the bracket when trailered to the cottage thats approx 6 thousand miles a year on the trailer banging about,not sure what more to tell ya it could be a issue someday but I keep a eye on things,sometimes when traveling with my enclosed trailer loaded to death I think about the thumb sized bolt that holds the ball on or the 5/8 pin that holds the hitch in,I guess some things are a leap of faith.Jus sayin Cheers NCT