Hi Bill, I just thought I'd put in my 2-bits worth here. My '76 M17 has the cut-out in the transom. My 4HP Suzuki works very well mounted there. The rudder does not hit the prop at any angle. I leave the motor centered and steer with the rudder. Like Toms says, it handles better that way. Tipped up, the motor clears fine, and doesn't drag in the water no matter how far you heel.
A year ago, I had the great idea to put on an adjustable motor mount on the starboard side and mount a swim ladder under the cut-out. The swim ladder part was great. The cut-out made a nice step-through when climbing aboard. However, I found I did not like the adjustable motor mount at all! Very awkward to use, I couldn't leave the motor on when trailering, and the boat balance was different. I ended up taking it off and putting the motor back in the cut-out. Another consideration in motor issues, is future trips you might go on. Sailing the San Juans for instance generally involves a lot of time in the "San Juan set", (mainsail up, motor running) due to erratic winds, tidal currents, schedules, etc., so a good dependable outboard with sufficient power to make a long crossing and get you to port if the weather or tides turn bad is a very good idea. Larry Yake M17 #200 Tullamore "In a power boat you get there faster. In a sailboat you're already there." On Fri, 31 Oct 2003 10:57:55 -0800 Bill Sylvester <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: > Tom, > > I am glad to get your reply. If you were to use the transom > cutout > for the Honda, would there be enough clearance for the rudder and > tiller? I am hoping to be able to avoid using(buying and > installing) > an adjustable bracket unless I have to. > > Thanks, > > Bill > Endelig > M-17 #279 > > On Friday, October 31, 2003, at 10:18 AM, Smith, Tom wrote: > > > I use a long shaft Honda 2 on an M17. I believe it's all the ob > power > > that's required, and up to the job in conditions beyond calm > water. > > You just learn the limitations of a smaller motor and abide by the > > > rules. Our M17 is a '75 with the transom cutout, but the motor is > > > mounted on an adjustable bracket and very easy to raise and lower. > > > There doesn't seem to be any clearance problems motor to rudder. > t > > > > Tom Smith & Jane Van Winkle > > Sandpoint, Idaho > > M15-345, Chukar > > M17-064, Unnamed > > > > > > > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Bill Sylvester [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Sent: Friday, October 31, 2003 9:36 AM > > To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats > > Subject: M_Boats: Re: New old M-17 > > > > > > > > Connie, > > > > If I understand correctly, you have a Honda BF2. How > would it work on > > our M-17 as a calm water kicker? I am concerned about a bigger > motor > > interfering with the action of the rudder. > > When we brought the boat from the slip to the trailer, we > used a 50lb > > thrust Minn Kota that is presently with the boat. We never used > more > > than half of the power and everything was OK. > > I know this question has been kicked around by this group > for a long > > time. I feel that I can actually use the outboard cutout on the > > transom if the motor is small enough. > > What do you think, will the BF2 cut it? > > Have you heard of the new Honda BF 2.3? > > > > Bill > > Endelig > > M-17 #279 > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats > > > > > > This message was scanned for viruses!! > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats > > > > > _______________________________________________ > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats > > _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
