Building the Outboard Engine Mount
S/V Synergy
May 1, 2003
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Here are pictures showing the custom engine mount that was built for the new dinghy outboard motor on Synergy.
| Scrap plywood was used to construct an engine mount for Synergy. The mount will be used to store the Mercury 3.3hp outboard when the dinghy is not in use. |
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| Lines drawn to represent the boom gallows frame, where the mount will be installed. This will help place the internal support blocks. |
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| Here the rough cuts are assembled with the internal support blocks and a few of the holes are drilled for the screws. A minimum number of screws are inserted to secure the pieces. |
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| With the pieces secure, the sides where a wood brace is sandwiched between the plywood is trimmed with a circular saw to remove the excess wood and create a flush surface. |
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| Sanding wasn't very exciting so I decided not to take any photos of that operation. Here the pieces have been sanded and several coats of teak varnish have been applied. |
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| In all, there were six coats of varnish applied. |
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| Here is a good view of the support braces and blocks. Every piece is carefully placed to secure the mount against the existing framework of the boom gallows. The block on the lower right is simply to provide support for that corner, which will not be in contact with the gallows frame. |
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| After the six coats of varnish, four coats of polyurethane finish the job. Note the glossy finish. This is a bottom view of the mount as the pieces dry. |
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| I still haven't taken a picture of the mount on the boat. But one will eventually be placed here. |
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