Canoe Motor Mount Bracket

Advice
#1

I would like to find or build a good quality/secure motor mount bracket for my Old Town Camper canoe.

Used occasionally for river fishing, I would like to be able to assist my up-stream travels with an old Johnson 2HP outboard I already own.



Does anyone have comment about a good mount to purchase or plans to build myself?



Thanks in advance.

#2

Here yer go…

– Last Updated: Jul-03-11 4:15 PM EST –

http://store.oldtowncanoe.com/products/341551/Standard_Motor_Mount

http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___71205

http://www.amazon.com/Old-Town-Canoe-Motor-Bracket/dp/B00227WLZ6

http://www.cabelas.com/canoe-kayak-accessories-town-sidesaddle-motor-mount-1.shtml

or make yer own, not hard.

Dun't fergit, iffin' yer have a motor on yer canoe in some states (Joisey fer one) yer gots ta register it as a power boat wit Motor Vehicles.


FE

#3

Make your own

– Last Updated: Jul-03-11 7:34 PM EST –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wgZlgm8UIU

Most commercial side-mounts are aluminum versions of this mount. IMO, gas motors belong on square stern (with tiller extension) if canoe has such a stern. They are too heavy for side-mounting on a narrow canoe, even small 2HP are heavy. Yours isn't narrow, though, so with enough gear may be you'll be alright.

#4

The bolts aren’t that expensive
Love the stainless steal hardware.

#5

That guy
in the video probably couldn’t find longer stainless bolts. I don’t think he tried to save a few pennies on shorter bolts. If you don’t live near decent marine store or specialized “fasteners store”, big-box retailers like Home Depot don’t carry long stainless 1/4" bolts. So called “stove bolts” are a decent substitute, though - good plated steel.

#6

thoughts

– Last Updated: Jul-05-11 3:51 PM EST –

I've both bought and made my own. The one I made used poplar and a handfull of bolts, screws and nobs picked up from the hardware store.
That said, for a boat like the camper, it's not hard to find a commercially made mount on craigslist, ebay or whereever for $30 or so.
Beyond that, having used outboards on both square stern and traditional canoes, I'll pass on a few seeds for thought.
1)Be sure to position the mount/motor so tht you can comfortably/safety raise and lower the leg as well as reach all controls from your seated position. THis can be awquard (and even dangerous) once in the water.
2)Be sure to mount the motor as close to the centerline of the canoe as you can. This minimizes the imballance of the botors weight and puts the thrust close to center where it's best controled. ( The mount in the video seems to put the motor to far outboard IMHO. )
hth

#7

Side mount
"2)Be sure to mount the motor as close to the centerline of the canoe as you can. This minimizes the imballance of the botors weight and puts the thrust close to center where it’s best controled."



Alas, you can only bring it as close to centerline as the the side of the canoe. On canoes less than 30" wide (not the case with OP) it’s still a lot of lateral imbalance. You can place it farther aft for better lateral balance, but then the canoe is narrower there and trim suffers if there is no gear or second person in front.



Lifting and starting the motor can disturb balance too, because you’re leaning overboard and there is already a heavy motor on that side. Old clutch-less motors are more dangerous since you start it in slightly turned position, so it gives a lateral push in the first second.

#8

Motor mounts (canoe)
Motor mounts are equipment we rely on in this part of Maine. We all make our own out of 1.5" hardwood-.25" bolts all to handle outboards from 10hp on down.