BanoDyne - Engine Mounting Photos Optimax Mercury

Re: BanoDyne - Engine Mounting Photos

I believe the directions in the seastar kit also recomend checking the bolt to the motor tiller frequently. This is a VERY good idea. Boats tend to be a bit scary when the link between driver and motor is severed, especially at high throttle settings.

Jim,
Have you heard what the difference is between the seastar bolt and the Merc bolt? The only thing I can think of that would be of significance would be a stronger or more fatigue resistant material. Unless the Merc bolt just has a better retaining system (nylock nut on the seaster, I believe).

Off center mounting seems like it could be a decent cure for torque steer, but I don't know if I want to drill several sets of 4 holes in my transom to find the optimal position. I may just try to find a trim tab if it seems necessary after driving it.

 

Re: BanoDyne - Engine Mounting Photos

My Merc 3 litre has an annode in the round hole for the trim tab. However, the annode has a threaded hole in the middle of it. Perhaps it is screwed onto a threaded post. I haven't tried to do anything with it.

The tiller bolt on the Seastar system not only threads into the tiller but also has a Nyloc nut on the bottom (which is fun to install with almost no space under there). Hard to imagine that it could back out, given how hard it was to screw in. The threads are tight.

I am interested in the issue of whether the Seastar bolt is not as good or could break because I used the Seastar bolt rather than the Merc bolt. I have both and will switch them out if the Seastar bolt is not a good bolt.

I did have the steering completely fail on a rack and pinion single cable steering system on my brother's boat during WOT operation of a 135 Optimax. However, it was a non-event because the steering wheel essentially "broke loose" and the boat started to turn and about that quick I killed the throttle. I then put the engine in reverse, sat on top the engine facing backwards, placed my feet on the transom, and steered with my legs and my caboose, going backwards, all the way home. The cable had simply snapped right at the connection to the rack behind the wheel. So it does happen.

 

Re: BanoDyne - Engine Mounting Photos

The seastar bolts that I bought last were threaded all the way to the hex which is a bad idea. It weakens the bolt.

The merc bolts are supposed to be stronger, I don't know the details. I can probably come up with a part number using a search on scream and fly. Those guys got deep into this several times.

My Merc guru is out of town for a week or so. When he gets back I will see if I can come up with tab that will fit the 3 liter. It is probably the same as the 2.5, but I have never tried it.

I rented an underwater weed eater for my lake front today. That baby wears me out not to mention the raking involved.

jim

 

Re: BanoDyne - Engine Mounting Photos

Twin Yamaha skegs,

If the left hand rotating engine has a skeg designed for a right hand rotation, it would cause havoc.

jim

 

Re: BanoDyne - Engine Mounting Photos

Does the DNR let you wack the weeds? What about the pellets people used to throw in the water to kill the weeds. Are those still legal?

 

Re: BanoDyne - Engine Mounting Photos

All I can say to that is that this is FL not WI. You are allowed to cut a certain percent of them. This is a private lake and there are some that have cleaned off the entire waterfront. They might have been fined, I don't know.

In FL you can land a seaplane on any lake unless it has been restricted. I don't know of any that have. People are way more laid back down here. It's good unless you are trying to get someone to work for you. Overpowered boats are plentiful and no one seems to care.

We have a informal home owners association with no written rules and no meetings, and no officers. We just collect money for the road repair once in a while.

A friend of mine landed here with a Piagio Gull which is a twin engine amphib. My neighbors though it was a great show. He just eased it up to the beach and we tied it to the oak trees with 100 foot ropes.

jim

 

Re: BanoDyne - Engine Mounting Photos

Florida seems to be a firm believer in "it's easier to beg forgiveness than to ask permission".

 

Re: BanoDyne - Engine Mounting Photos

They have big time rules in the coastal areas because of the destruction of the dunes by new construction. The famous Daytona beach has no dunes in some places and the erosion is major during a hurricane, and at many other beaches.

They bring fill in by the train load after a hurricane.

jim

 

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I think we discussed this a while back and figured out that some of the newer motors have sort of an airfoil shaped skeg. Check it out.

jim