mounting my kicker bracket

[mike_v2v98]

i have a 17 foot maxum bowrider that i use for fishing and my wife uses for water skiingi am trying to mount my kicker bracket for a 5 horse mariner<br />there is no acess to the inside of the back corner of the hull where the kicker bracket will go as it is all flotation in the back corner of the boat<br />so a normal mounting method of bolts threw the hull with washers and nuts wont work<br />im looking for some kind of threaded insert i can permanently install in the hull so i can bolt the bracket on when i need it and take it off when im not using it

 

[crab bait]

Re: mounting my kicker bracket

not quite sure what you mean... are mounting it to somthin' soild ( like the transome ) or to somthin' hollow like regular thickness fiberglass with foam behind ??

 

[mike_v2v98]

Re: mounting my kicker bracket

yes i am mounting it to something hollow with foam behind it <br />and there is no acess to the back side to drill through and put a plate and washers nuts etc<br />is there another method of mounting it to thin fiberglass <br />ive heard of threaded inserts that work like a rivet<br />and i do need to be able to take the bracket off if need be

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: mounting my kicker bracket

Mike<br /><br />I've just added a kicker bracket to my boat, but fortunately had access into the back of the area where it was mounted.<br /><br />Be carefull!! There are HUGE stresses put on that bracket, especially when your kicker is tilted up and you're bouncing around in rough seas.<br /><br />I don't like the thought of bolting on to thin fibreglass unless you can put a backplate or VERY large washers behind the bolts.<br /><br />Sorry, I know this doesn't give you the answer, but I think it's best not to risk breaking your hull. You need to get access to the bolt area.<br /><br />Just my 2 cents...

 

[mike_v2v98]

Re: mounting my kicker bracket

i have also thought of having a bracket fabricated to mount to the transome that would mount between the hull and main motor <br />from there it woudl jog off to the area i need to mount the kicker<br />dont know if there would be to much stress for that <br />my biggest fear is bouncing down the road on the trailor and that kicker breaking off<br /><br />i wish they made a boat good for all uses<br />but i have this one now

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: mounting my kicker bracket

Mike - have you contacted the boat manufacturer or a dealer that sells those boats ? There must have been other people with the same boat that have wanted to attach a kicker bracket. Maybe they've already solved the problem ?

 

[crab bait]

Re: mounting my kicker bracket

you have a delimma ,mike .. theres no way you can just mount to thin 'glass.. especially an outboard motor ... i know what you are talkin' about,,, about those threads... you put them in with a pop rivet gun .. they do work great in sheet metal but in 'glass they'd chip rite out ... sorry , brother.. your on your own..

 

[crazyray]

Re: mounting my kicker bracket

I am assuming that we are talking about a I/O appl......has anyone ever tried to mount something off the outdrive mounting bolts?......thinking of mounting a small electric to mine....still brainstorming the details

 

[JRJ]

Re: mounting my kicker bracket

mike_v2v98 With your boat, why not electric motor? Mounting even just a 5hp to glass doesn't sound like a good idea. Good Luck

 

[mike_v2v98]

Re: mounting my kicker bracket

problem solved<br />i already have a bow mount autopilot electric minn kota<br />it works great in calm water if your only going fishing for a few hours<br />as soon as you get into the current it doesnt move you along to well<br />but for the small lakes where you have power restrictions and shallow water it is an excellent alternative from paddling<br />also works great for casting off the bow and manouvering the boat to where the fish are quietly<br />i am in the process of having another bracket fabricated off the main transom<br />my kicker bracket will bolt to this and hopefully it will hold together<br />we shall see how it goes ill let you all know