Problems mounting Mercury, HELP!

[tswheezer]

We have a 1991 Bayliner Capri that came with a bad 90hp Force. We took the Force off and bought a nice running mid 70's Mercury 115hp Thunderbolt outboard. We went to mount the Merc on the boat and the brackets are not wide enough on the Merc to mount to the boat. Is there a way to adapt this or buy a wider one that may fit motor and boat? We are in a big dilemma here. Never thought of checking this at all. Just assummed you buy a new motor you put it on the boat. We are new to all of this. Poor kids are getting very disappointed as we have not been able to use this since we bought it now. Grrrr.....

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Problems mounting Mercury, HELP!

Your Force may have had the standard 4 bolt mounting bracket. The older Merc is non standard. You will need to seal the old bolt holes on the hull with silicone and drill new ones for the merc. It should take 2 3/8" stainless steel carriage bolts in the very bottom of the transom clamp(look for the square holes). If the motor has power trim, you will need to bolt the PTT brackets to the transom as well. Use silicone to seal the new bolt holes as well.

 

[tswheezer]

Re: Problems mounting Mercury, HELP!

Thanks for the reply. We figured we could drill new holes however our problem is the bracket clamps. These are the ones that clamp to the boat near the top. Two clamps that come off bracket. The Force had wider clamps and the Merc are not wide enough to clamp to the boat. Anyway to adjust this or mount it different or make some form of adjustment?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Problems mounting Mercury, HELP!

I do not understand your problem. Can you post a picture? Are you saying the transom is too thick to accept the clamps? How much too thick? If you remove the thumbscrews, will the clamp fit over the transom?

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: Problems mounting Mercury, HELP!

I think he means the transom is too thick for the throat of motor bracket to hook over the top......I'm not an outboard guy, just interpreting.

 

[tswheezer]

Re: Problems mounting Mercury, HELP!

Yes that is correct. I am a newbie when it comes to boats which is why I am here. The clamps do not fit over the transom, they are not wide enough. Not home to take a pic right now.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Problems mounting Mercury, HELP!

The clamp bolts and washers are removeable. Does that give it the clearance you need?