cjdavia said:Hi Chris,
I didn't realize the newer 14.2s come with a motor mount, boy that would be nice right now.
Of course, just minutes before your post I wound up winning a new adjustable motor mount on ebay... just my luck. I agree that simpler is better but I could not figure out a way to raise the prop without the head of the motor hitting the transom so I was hoping that the adjustable mount could take care of the raising and lowering. Hopefully we can make it work, or I'll put it back up on ebay. I did find an adjustable motor mount at catalinadirect, but I think the mount was for the 22 ft model.
Thanks for your generous offer to help, I am going to take you up on it and make you sorry for offering. I hate to dump all of my research on you, but could you please tell me how far back your mount sits from the transom and also let me know how far down it is from the top of the transom? A picture of your motor and mount when raised would be VERY helpful. I think you can include a picture on your forum post, but if you like you could send it to my email address: cjdavia@hotmail.com
Hey on a separate note I have another question -- do you think the motor is sort of loud? I was under the impression that the 4 strokes were supposed to be very quiet, but I feel like this one is pretty noisy. My wife and I have to talk really loudly to be heard... at least now it is not about the 'best' way to get back to the dock!
Thanks again and hopefully some day I can return the favor. I'll do my best not to ask much more of you!
-Chris Davia
bets said:I am confused. In the FAQ's it states that the 2 hp LONG shaft Honda is the best. And yet here I see that you got a short shaft? Is that the 15" shaft not the 20 - and it works OK?
Thanks
Reyher said:If I did this right, here are four pictures that I hope will help you. This is a short shaft motor (I'm guessing that yours is too) and with me in it (230lbs) the antiventilation plate is about two inches below the water surface and is much louder than if it were deeper. There are obvious advantages to having the short shaft model, but the trade-off is noise. No longer than I need to use it, noise is not a problem for me. Honda recommends that the anti-ventilation plate be 5.9 inches below the surface. I believe that is for optimum quietness. If it is too high you will get ventilation or some folks call it cavitation. That is when the prop literally sucks the water down from the surface in a vortex and leaves a void of nothing but air. Then you get a lot of noise and loss of thrust. This is a major issue with water cooled motors, because the water inlet can be left high and dry. The 2HP Honda is air cooled as you know.
If you have questions let me know. I am happy to help!
chris...
cjdavia said:The more I learn, the more confusing this project becomes. First the good news: I called Catalina Direct and they do sell a mounting bracket for the 14.2, just like Chris mentionned. They haven't sold one in over 10 years but they do have one in stock. According to the sales rep., the bracket sets the motor about 10-12 inches behind the transom, just like the adjustable bracket I purchased last night.
Now the not-so-good news: My catalina is one of the first off the production line (sail number 253), and it does not have any reinforcement on either side of the transom. It is hollow on both sides.
Clamping the motor over the top of the transom seems ok to me, but now I am thinking that installing a 29 lb motor 10-12 inches behind the transom is going to cause too much stress where the mounting bolts go through the transom. I am wondering if reinforcing the bracket with wood on either side of the transom will provide enough strength. I wish I had an answer for this before I start drilling holes through my baby.
Does anyone have an ideas for me?
Thanks so much, I need a beer!
-Chris Davia