Outboard engine mount replacement: wood or plastic?

[Pierre Gremaud]

The outboard mount on my CD25 broke this weekend. I think it was the original part: a venerable piece of solid teak.

The minimum size for a board out of which I could cut a replacement is 13 x 4 3/4 x 1 1/4. Does anybody know of a good source for an appropriate teak board?

I am also having second thoughts about using solid wood for that application (if you had a look at the old board, you'd understand why). I am seriously considering plastic alternatives such as starboard (possibly several boards put together to get the appropriate thickness and stiffness). Any thought/experience/advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.


Pierre

CD 25 #146

[Steve Laume]

Get yourself a nice chunk of white Oak. Much cheaper and easier to come by than a piece of teak that size. With oak you can afford to get a piece big enough to make a few bracket boards. When one gets a bit ratty, throw it in the fireplace and make a new one. It is probably easier to make a new one than refinish an old piece. Better yet make a couple right away while you are set up. I don't know much about the properties of "plastic" but you couldn't go wrong with oak, Steve.

[Lang]

I think most plastics sag when under constant weight, no matter how thickly laminated. Starboard is high quality plastic, but you should check with the factory about this.

I had replace my rotted away teak with "chengal" (a common boat building wood in asia). I was advised against using plastic by the business owner of a plastic supply shop.

Hope this helps.