Mounting a Kicker Motor on a26X

[ecossebob]

Hi. I have a 4hp 4stroke Mercury which I use on my inflatable, it weighs about 56lbs.
I am refurbishing my 26X and would like to use it as a backup to my 50hp Honda.
I see on the forum here many mount it on the starboard side. I am an older guy and am inclined to favor the port side, that way I could use the boarding ladder to access it when on the water. If I mount it there there is no way to use the steering tiller, so I'm
thinking to clamp it for straight ahead and steer with the rudders.
I would appreciate the pros and cons on this before I cut more holes in the boat.
I have spent more than 2 years on this project and have incorporated many of the mods posted here. Thanks to the many who make this the best, friendly, forum I have found.
My boat was built and registered in 2001. It was involved in a collision and the registration was never renewed. Some restoration had been started, then some thing happened and the work was stopped and the boat was stripped and sat around all these years.
When I bought her all I got was the hull, trailer. a good set of sails and a malfunctioning toilet. Every thing else was gone. It has been a massive job but I'm almost finished, and I hope to launch before Xmas.
Thanks again for all the help and appreciate any advice you can give.
BobW.

[GART]

I have a 4 hp Mariner mounted on the Starboard side of my 2001 26X on a lifting bracket. I use it as a back up also my inflatable to get out to the boat with as it is kept on a swinging mooring. The problem I have is it is a standard shaft and you realty need a long shaft. I have lowered the mounting bracket so much the bottom edge almost hits the water, but if you get in a chop it the propeller starts to cavitate, and on starboard tack it comes completely out of the water.
Mine is pull start with twist grip throttle, and I find I can get to the engine a lot easier lifting the rear seat and as it hinges on the port side I have a clear pull on the starter, easier access to the throttle etc. I find hanging over the stern upside down to get to the motor quite difficult, as it has to be so far down to get the prop. under water. To keep mine straight I have a friction adjuster but I find the engine still vibrates round after about 10 minutes so I put a shoelace between the bracket and tie the tiller arm to keep it straight ahead.
Another reason I put mine on the Starboard side was I am right handed, and find it is easier to transfer the engine between tender and Macgregor with my right hand reaching further. Even so, it the four stroke is very heavy around 50 pounds especially if it is rough. Finally, check you can tilt the engine; I can only get mine to tilt into the trolling position before the hood hits the back of the boat.
I hope this helps.

[Catigale]

Bob...if you do a quick search you will find a performance report on a 4HP powering my on the Cape.

A short shaft motor will only work in flat water in my experience

[bartmac]

Modifying a standard parallelogram outboard bracket by lengthening the arms will allow the motor to both reach the water and go high enough so as not to get drowned when healing....done it and works well....our motor is only a 3 or 3.5 and does move the MacX but not sure in high wind or tidal movements whether it would have enough power...going to try next time out

[DaveB]

I would not use a 4hp outboard as a backup mounted on stearn bracket for my MacX.
I do have a fixed outboard bracket mounted on Port Aft. that has a 27 lb 2.5 Suzuki 4 stroke that is easy to take off and mount on my Zodiac 7.8.
Can tow my boat if all else fails.
Trying to have a adjustable bracket with a 4-6hp on stearn to move the MacX is a joke outside of very calm waters.(motor even with long shaft will cavitate and lift out of water in most waters)
Much better to tow with a 2.5hp Suzuki dingy or like kind.
I have a fixed bracket on port side aft to keep my 2.5 hp outboard fixed and easy to take off and mount on my Dink in the water.
My Zodiac with 2.5 hp can tow the MacX in mostly calm condition.
But I have Boat US Tow and a new 50hp Merc.
Always good to have third choice.
Forgot the last but most Prudent, Ya Sail.
Dave

Hi. I have a 4hp 4stroke Mercury which I use on my inflatable, it weighs about 56lbs.
I am refurbishing my 26X and would like to use it as a backup to my 50hp Honda.
I see on the forum here many mount it on the starboard side. I am an older guy and am inclined to favor the port side, that way I could use the boarding ladder to access it when on the water. If I mount it there there is no way to use the steering tiller, so I'm
thinking to clamp it for straight ahead and steer with the rudders.
I would appreciate the pros and cons on this before I cut more holes in the boat.
I have spent more than 2 years on this project and have incorporated many of the mods posted here. Thanks to the many who make this the best, friendly, forum I have found.
My boat was built and registered in 2001. It was involved in a collision and the registration was never renewed. Some restoration had been started, then some thing happened and the work was stopped and the boat was stripped and sat around all these years.
When I bought her all I got was the hull, trailer. a good set of sails and a malfunctioning toilet. Every thing else was gone. It has been a massive job but I'm almost finished, and I hope to launch before Xmas.
Thanks again for all the help and appreciate any advice you can give.
BobW.

[ecossebob]

Hi Guys, thanks for the response.
I think I will follow Gart's suggestion and mount the OB bracket on the port side. I am also right handed and the twist grip controls are on that side.
The bracket I have has a 20" travel, how does that compare to your modified one Bartmac?.
The OB has a 17" shaft, so I guess it's a short shaft, but being able to pull it up 20" looks sufficient to me or am I missing something?.
I installed a heavy duty arch similar to one described in the mod's section. It gives better support for the mast and give more headroom when working with boat on the trailer, which I have been doing for the last 2 years, my poor head.
I used this to mount my 50hp Honda. I plan to add an out rigger and use that to move the 4hp Merc around. I agree with DaveB towing any distance with the inflatable would be the better solution. Any way I'm stuck with the Merc. as "Money Remains Small" as they say in Nigeria.
If I find I need the boarding ladder I can move it over, it will cover the ballast valve but it will still work. Maybe I will get one of the electric ones I saw here earlier.
Categale you mentioned a performance report, where would I find that?.
I'm glad I posted this question it keeps my head straight.
I wish I had used this forum when I started this project it would have saved me so much time. Being an engineer I'm surprised at the lack of simple basic specifications from the builder. Maybe they never build two boats the same.
Thanks again all.
BobW.

[bartmac]

The bracket I have has a 20" travel, how does that compare to your modified one Bartmac

I'll have to check the travel but I had to nearly double the length of the arms(standard approx. 10- 12" ) to ensure I could mount the bracket high enough to not dunk the motor when healing but still reach the water....and transfer to our inflatable.All that said the amount of travel is nearly 180 degrees so for 10-12" arms = 20- 24" and obviously with the longer arms ie 22-24"= 44-48"