1989 Starcraft outboard motor bracket

[Pfenzer]

Hey y'all. I have a 1989 Starcraft SFM160 w/ a Yamaha Pro50 outboard. I have been wanting to get better trolling mileage and slower speeds (even with a trolling plate). I bought a 2012 Yamaha 9.9 kicker motor and it came with an outboard motor mount. Due to the Pro 50 being so big, I would need to put this 9.9 on the motor mount. My question is this, can my transom handle this extra weight? Is this safe? I don't want to start drilling and I can't seem to find any specs or answers online. Thanks everyone.

 

[roscoe]

Welcome aboard.

Transom should be good, if its in top condition.
It never hurts to reinforce, and add backing plates where you mount things

My Starcraft Mariner has what appears to be a wimpy transom. But it is solid and secure, and is holding my 315# 115hp Merc, and my 80# 15 hp kicker.

 

[Pfenzer]

I guess the other question is this. We drive alot to get to lakes with the fish we want. Is trailering with this mount advisable for more than hour long trips or will the vibrations of the road slowly rip the transom out?

 

[Scott Danforth]

will the vibrations of the road slowly rip the transom out?

Depends on the condition of your 36 year old transom.

 

[cyclops222]

USED / ABUSED transoms ? We might not know how weak it is by now. Experienced boater MIGHT see it flexing when running WOT and turning. I can not tell you without being at the transom at WOT.

 

[cyclops222]

I had to rebuild my transom when both engines were on it and doing docking thrusts .

 

[Pfenzer]

USED / ABUSED transoms ? We might not know how weak it is by now. Experienced boater MIGHT see it flexing when running WOT and turning. I can not tell you without being at the transom at WOT.

A boat repair shop guy showed me if you pull down hard on the main engine you can check for warpage or seal cracking. We did that together and saw nothing flex. The wood you can see from the inside looks wet but does not show any sign of rot that I can see.