mounting engine

[hipster_dufus]

well i broke down and finally bought my 9.8 tohatsu. now when i mount it does anyone have advice? thru bolt or just clamps? do i seal the holes if i thru bolt? stainless steel bolts? where to buy? any advice is greatly appreciated. it is going on my g3 1444

[skunked_again]

as long at what youre mounting the motor to is health the clamps will do.

[Way2slow]

With small motors it's too easy for someone else to thank you for buying them a new motor so normally, you take them off and store in a secure location, making bolting it down not very pratical. If you do plan on leaving it on the boat and drill holes through the transome to mount it, YES, you MUST seal the bolts on both sides with a marine silicon, and don't be afraid of putting plenty on them. You should use stainless bolts, washers and self locking nuts, usually Lowes/Home Depot will have an assorment. If not, most marine dealers have them.

[Catt]

A lot of people put no thought into mounting a small outboard believing it would not help performance but do yourself a favor and make sure you mount it dead center, level horizontally, level vertically, and at the correct height. As Way2slow stated Lowes/Home Depot will have the bolts, washers, & lock nuts but I would also add a motor lock. Any time you install a fastener in or through a boat's hull install them wet by simply applying a liberal amount of sealant to the shank prior to installation.

[moloch16]

I have a 9.9 I use on my 14's Jon.  I do use bolts when mounting the motor for a fishing trip because I found the clamps didn't provide that sturdy of a mount on my particular boat, but on other boats the clamps may be perfectly fine.

I recommend you mount the motor with just the clamps and see what you think before reverting to bolts.  Like others said, small motors tend to disappear so you won't want to leave your motor on your boat unattended for any length of time.

Even though I use bolts my motor is not permanently bolted on and sealed with silicone.  When I go fishing I put the motor on the boat, run the bolts through the hull and motor, tighten the bolts and tighten the motor clamps.  I use wing nuts which can be tightened by hand.  When I get home I undo the bolts and clamps and off comes the motor.

Why do people suggest silicone sealant over the bolts?  I guess if the bolts are below the waterline - this isn't the case with my boat and motor.  No silicone required.

[gatorblazer]

Why do people suggest silicone sealant over the bolts? I guess if the bolts are below the waterline - this isn't the case with my boat and motor. No silicone required.

Back flow when you stop will often times come up the bolt line.  Also, if you leave it outside unsealed it will get wet in those holes as well.  If you get this wet enough, you will begin transom rot.

[fishfordollars]

I have a 9.9 I use on my 14's Jon. I do use bolts when mounting the motor for a fishing trip because I found the clamps didn't provide that sturdy of a mount on my particular boat, but on other boats the clamps may be perfectly fine.

I recommend you mount the motor with just the clamps and see what you think before reverting to bolts. Like others said, small motors tend to disappear so you won't want to leave your motor on your boat unattended for any length of time.

Even though I use bolts my motor is not permanently bolted on and sealed with silicone. When I go fishing I put the motor on the boat, run the bolts through the hull and motor, tighten the bolts and tighten the motor clamps. I use wing nuts which can be tightened by hand. When I get home I undo the bolts and clamps and off comes the motor.

Why do people suggest silicone sealant over the bolts? I guess if the bolts are below the waterline - this isn't the case with my boat and motor. No silicone required.

Anytime you compromise an area on anything around water a sealer is needed. Repair shops are thriving on business they have contracted due to the lack of oversight by owners.

[hipster_dufus]

thank u all for the advice. i think bolting is the way to go, instead of sealant, how about rubber washers? i would hate to take it off and on with silicone in the bolt holes. although it is portable it isnot that easy to remove. does anyone have  opinions on break in?again thanks, i hate to drill holes without thinking it thru

[moloch16]

Ah well my transom is aluminum, so no worries about rot.