Securing outboard to boat

[Wood Man]

Just got a fine little 1988 Johnson 25 HP for my 14 foot Arkansas Traveler. Where the clamps go over the backside of the transom there are two holes and the owner's manual says drill through those two holes (and the transom of course) and secure with two stainless steel bolts with lock nuts to keep the motor from falling off if the tightening screws were to loosen up. I figured I would shoot some marine caulk in the hole right before I push the bolts through. There is really nothing to hook a chain or cable lock to on the motor. Anybody ever done this? Or got any ideas? I want to go fishing Monday and I'm about to have a fit to get her rigged up and ready!!! Thanks for any advice! Wood

 

[SpurHunter]

THe bolts will hold just fine as long as the transom is sound. With a 25hp, you shouldnt have much problem.

 

[Guest]

You can run a masterlock thru the handles of the wing nuts and attach a chain from this to your boat without drilling new holes. Wrap your chain around your transom brace. The 25 hp's are an easy target of theifs. You can also drill the two holes that you are talking about and put silicon sealant in the holes to keep out water and rotting your transom as you stated in your post. Peen the ends of the bolts, this stops someone with wrenches from stealing your motor.

 

[fischnrod]

Chain the motor to the boat so it can't come off.i had an 18 hp evinrude on a 14 foot flat bottom that came loose and is at the bottom of Soddy creek.That was a heartbreaking lesson learned...

 

[crdodge45]

A gun cable lock works good threw the wing nuts that have a small hole in them and unless you are going to the take motor on and off a lot do like you said Bolt it down and mybe drill a hole in the bolt that is big enought for a small lock. that is hot size to steal.