TAPAZ MOTOR INSTALL
Got the motor the other day for the Tapaz. A 75 honda. Unloaded under the
maple tree and used a block and tackle to lift it up. This is one heavy
motor! After a few hours of maneuvering we got her hung on the transom.
I hooked up the battery and used the power lift to discover a few
interesting items. One, the motor would not go down fully into the lower
lip of the transom. An easy fix with a saw and grinder plus glassing over.
This could have been my fault for not placing the transom just right
before glassing in. The second is a design problem. That beautiful
pinched in hull does wonders for covering the motor. However, in my world
we run motors in the lifted position often to get over shallows. This
cannot be done with the hull just aft of the motor pinched in as it is.
Again the trusty saber saw. I will have to cut a curved notch just below
the water line and a foot or so in, taking out the very far aft corner of
each hull. If I don't do it with a saw, there will surely be a more
aggressive removal later with the prop. Lucky for me, a tilt meter comes
with the motor. Because the last which is a problem only if the motor is
lifter too far, is the swim steps. For those who's don't know, there is an
elaborate fold down step system that in the up position covers the transom
and somewhat hides the motor. Maybe if they don't see the motor, folks
might believe us to be a sailboat. Any how the large motor could tear the
steps our of the hull if raised to far. I will be marking two colors on
the gauge, one for limited motor lift while running and the other the very
limit to save the steps.
Also of note, the hull is now painted and top coated a very shiny red, very
nice color.
I would like to say that I am a sailor first and a motor boater come
lately. Sure like reading about all the sailing stuff and hope you sail
guys don't mind a little motor boat input. Brad
maple tree and used a block and tackle to lift it up. This is one heavy
motor! After a few hours of maneuvering we got her hung on the transom.
I hooked up the battery and used the power lift to discover a few
interesting items. One, the motor would not go down fully into the lower
lip of the transom. An easy fix with a saw and grinder plus glassing over.
This could have been my fault for not placing the transom just right
before glassing in. The second is a design problem. That beautiful
pinched in hull does wonders for covering the motor. However, in my world
we run motors in the lifted position often to get over shallows. This
cannot be done with the hull just aft of the motor pinched in as it is.
Again the trusty saber saw. I will have to cut a curved notch just below
the water line and a foot or so in, taking out the very far aft corner of
each hull. If I don't do it with a saw, there will surely be a more
aggressive removal later with the prop. Lucky for me, a tilt meter comes
with the motor. Because the last which is a problem only if the motor is
lifter too far, is the swim steps. For those who's don't know, there is an
elaborate fold down step system that in the up position covers the transom
and somewhat hides the motor. Maybe if they don't see the motor, folks
might believe us to be a sailboat. Any how the large motor could tear the
steps our of the hull if raised to far. I will be marking two colors on
the gauge, one for limited motor lift while running and the other the very
limit to save the steps.
Also of note, the hull is now painted and top coated a very shiny red, very
nice color.
I would like to say that I am a sailor first and a motor boater come
lately. Sure like reading about all the sailing stuff and hope you sail
guys don't mind a little motor boat input. Brad