Loose motor braket CD25

[Tore Saether]

Just picket up a '77 CD25 and sailed it from Duxbury to Mattapoisett MA. Lots of motorsailing. Noticed outboard bracket loose. How do you get to the backside of the mounting bolts to back up the nuts ?? I am 6'2" and have tried to squezze in through the sail lockers. No Go !!
Any suggestions please short of installing "Pry out Deck plates" under the gas tanks ??



torev@prodigy.net

[Jim Stull]

Just picket up a '77 CD25 and sailed it from Duxbury to Mattapoisett MA. Lots of motorsailing. Noticed outboard bracket loose. How do you get to the backside of the mounting bolts to back up the nuts ?? I am 6'2" and have tried to squezze in through the sail lockers. No Go !!
Any suggestions please short of installing "Pry out Deck plates" under the gas tanks ??

We had to make a new motor mount to enable the 8HP Honda to fit in our CD25. I tried to climb into the lazzerette and got partially stuck and panic set in! Horrible! We debated for a while on what to do. I considered trying to bribe a local kid but figured the parents would be unhappy. Finally my wife who is 5'2" went in and we did the deed. Very ugly job! (Wonder how CD installed a lot of that "stuff" origionally?)
Actually your comment about the "deck plate" sounds very reasonable, if somewhat time consuming. We have similarly added access doors under our setees to great advantage. By making up epoxy laminated frames (two 1/4" pieces of marine ply), laminated to the inside of the setee sides actually made them more stiff than before. We made them a little smaller than the new cutout to provide a "lip" for the new hatches.
Jim



jtstull@icubed.com

[Steve Hinote]

I also have a similar problem on our CD25, where the original (?) aluminum motor mounts are worn out. I'm 6'2" as well, but got a long backup wrench on them and got them off. Today we'll see if I can get the new stainless mounts on (I'm not looking forward to it).

I agree that cutting access ports is the way to go, but hope to avoid it.



stepnote@aol.com

[Bill]

Just picket up a '77 CD25 and sailed it from Duxbury to Mattapoisett MA. Lots of motorsailing. Noticed outboard bracket loose. How do you get to the backside of the mounting bolts to back up the nuts ?? I am 6'2" and have tried to squezze in through the sail lockers. No Go !!
Any suggestions please short of installing "Pry out Deck plates" under the gas tanks ??

Tore,
After reading your message (and noticing vibration when motoring) I checked my outboard brackets and found about 1/2" of play. I'm 6'O" but didn't have any trouble climbing into the lockers to tightening the bolts. I used a vice-grip to hold bolts on the outside so was able to do it by myself. It was awkward, but I took it slow, used a headlight to see and boat cushions to lay on. I would advise against "pry-out deck plates" simply because of the potential for gas and/or gas fumes to leak into the bildge. I'd rather bribe a kid or midget than risk a fire or explosion- battery is down there in the port locker on my CD. In any event thanks for your message, it helped me cure the vibraton problem.

Bill
s/v Sadie CD25 hull# 522



wawillis@shore.intercom.net

[jim stull]

Just picket up a '77 CD25 and sailed it from Duxbury to Mattapoisett MA. Lots of motorsailing. Noticed outboard bracket loose. How do you get to the backside of the mounting bolts to back up the nuts ?? I am 6'2" and have tried to squezze in through the sail lockers. No Go !!
Any suggestions please short of installing "Pry out Deck plates" under the gas tanks ??

Tore,
After reading your message (and noticing vibration when motoring) I checked my outboard brackets and found about 1/2" of play. I'm 6'O" but didn't have any trouble climbing into the lockers to tightening the bolts. I used a vice-grip to hold bolts on the outside so was able to do it by myself. It was awkward, but I took it slow, used a headlight to see and boat cushions to lay on. I would advise against "pry-out deck plates" simply because of the potential for gas and/or gas fumes to leak into the bildge. I'd rather bribe a kid or midget than risk a fire or explosion- battery is down there in the port locker on my CD. In any event thanks for your message, it helped me cure the vibraton problem.

Bill
s/v Sadie CD25 hull# 522

After further reflection on the motor mount bolt access problem I came up with the same point Bill did. Although we have added access to various areas in the boat, mainly for additional storage, the potential for gas leakage would deter me from using this technique here. I don't believe the height of the person entering the lazzerette is the problem. It is the girth. Also it is the degree of personal tolerance for VERY restricted movement. When I went in it was in January, very cold and I had on a heavy sweatshirt which bunched up and jammed when I tried to back out.
BTW: When I removed the origional mounting board it was so rotten it would have failed sooned rather than later!
Jim



jtstull@icubed.com