posted 10-13-2009 05:42 PM ET (US)        

---

SURVEY: Does anyone have an 8-HP four-cycle auxiliary motor mounted on a c.1986 Montauk 17?

I am trying to purchase [an 8-HP four-cycle auxiliary motor], but, with slope of transom [on a Boston Whaler MONTAUK 170] down to outside, the auxiliary leans to one side. I would appreciate suggestions or photos of a neat installation. I would not want to bolt [the auxiliary] to the transom or use an auxiliary bracket if possible. I want to remove auxiliary at times for another boat use. Thanks.

posted 10-13-2009 06:03 PM ET (US)            

---

Just screw that kicker directly onto the transom, and figure out some sort of chain/lock to keep it there when the thieves cluster around. I used a relatively strong bicycle lock which I hooked up between the two handles to the kicker's screw mounts--clear as glass? For some reason, BW encourages mounting kickers on the starboard side of the transom on classic Montauks; you know, just where the steering, electrical and fuel lines come up out of the tunnel. I mounted mine on the port side, and never had a bit of trouble (I had my battery up in the console). Maybe there's some plywood embedded on the starboard side of the transom which isn't on the other side, but I never had any problem with it portside. When you tighten your kicker down strongly you'll make some indentations in the gelcoat and glass, but not to worry (or at least I never did), you won't be adversely affecting the basic integrity of your transom.

Now watch some of the others here say that I'm crazy.

Tony

posted 10-13-2009 08:46 PM ET (US)            

---

Yep just clamp it directly on the transom; do NOT use a kicker bracket. The slope of the transom is of no concern other than aesthetically. If it bothers you just shim up the low side until it is level and plumb on the transom. See the advice offered in the Boston Whaler Owner's Manual for more information:

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/manual9-17/operations. html#auxiliary

posted 10-14-2009 11:42 AM ET (US)            

---

Geeezzz, deepwater. That's just what I said, in my long winded manner. Maybe I'm not crazy after all, since you, Tom and the BW manual seem to agree with me.

Tony

posted 11-08-2009 04:24 PM ET (US)            

---

[This whole thread has been moved to REPAIRS/MODS. This article has been changed so that the presentation uses an initial capital letter and otherwise lower case. It was originally posted with the initial letter of each sentence in lower case and the rest in capitals. That was precisely the opposite of the usual convention. Please review the guidelines about capitalization before posting further articles--jimh.]

Thanks for the information. [There was an] unexpected delay on purchase of kicker [that] I just purchased and screwed to transom.

Any suggestions where to purchase a tie bar for both [Yamaha] engines, 90-HP two-cycle and 8-HP?