When I purchased ARROGANCE in 2006, she came with a Honda 2hp and a stationary outboard motor mount. Before the first sail had ended I found having no reverse (The Honda swings 360 degrees), the fixed outboard (OB) motor mount and being a little under power, issues that I wanted to resolve as soon as possible.
The original Honda 2hp and stationary OB mount with my youngest son (Who is now 6'2" in 2012! Times fly!).
Luckily the resolutions to the issues were at little or no cost for me having nearly all that I needed in my personal 'sailboat warehouse'. I had a like new 1982 Evinrude 4.5hp outboard with F-N-R and an external fuel tank and an adjustable OB motor mount (rated up to 25hp) stored away.
The change of the OB motor mount was a little tight under the cockpit but fairly easy, being able able to use the existing holes through the hull. I did beef up the inside by using 1/4" aluminum plate and shaping a 2" x 8" piece of pressure treated lumber on the outside as a spacer between the OB motor mount and the hull for the the new stainless steel bolts to run through. A quality sealant was used both inside and outside. As for the OB mount's 'board', I removed the original and cut a new one out of clear 2" x8" pressure treated lumber, taking 3" off its original height. This would allow for the Evinrude to be further in the water since it was not a long shaft like the Honda.
The Evinrude and the adjustable OB mount on the starboard side of ARROGANCE. Notice the depth of the prop and can be lowered even further while being able to be pulled completely out of the water while under sail. I placed a through hull to handle the fuel line. You can view that in an earlier post on this same blog.
Side views of the shortened OB mount board.
Original OB mount board.
The shortened OB mount board I made from 'clear' 2" x 8" pressure treated lumber. Multiple holes on either side allow for any additional vertical adjustment. Larger hole in center is for the spring from the adjustable OB motor mount. I placed a stainless steel washer at its bottom for the spring.
I am very satisfied with my modifications. These changes were made several years ago but I am just posting them now. The overall weight is slightly more but not harming any performance. No issues of swinging the outboard 180 degrees for reverse. Life's a lot simpler when it comes to docking or at the launch ramp. I know later models of the 'Fox' come with a motor mount on the rudder. I see that as an overall negative. Mine is mounted on the starboard side which meant that I rearranged items I store below to compensate for this. Overall it makes more sense.
