Outboard Mounting bolts...

K&S · 12 February 2009, 15:13

Hi, hope you can help.
I am about to mount a Mariner 75hp 2 stroke on the back of a Rib.
I went to the local marine mechanic and he was asking for £60 for 4 high tensile stainless steel nuts and bolts.
Before parting with my money I thought I’d ask if there is a cheaper way of buying suitable nuts and bolts or is that about the right price for these bolts?

Many thanks
Kim

PeterM · 12 February 2009, 15:18

My only experiance is from aviation related bolts etc & you can be stunned by the differance in strenght ( i use that word as a generic coverall ) between 'proper' fittings and poor quality ones.

For £60 do you want to risk seeing the lump vanish over the transome ? For me it only has one answer. But you can usually find cheaper suppliers

K&S · 12 February 2009, 15:22

Thanks for the quick reply.

Don't get me wrong if thats the going rate for the correct item then thats what will go on. I was really wondering if that was an acceptable price or an inflated 'marine' price.
Does anybody know of a cheaper supplier for suitable bolts?

Nasher · 12 February 2009, 15:34

Unfortunately that is the correct(ish) price for the correct bolts with the correct fine pitch thread from a Marine source.

They are available from non-marine sources cheaper if you shop around, but not that much cheaper.

Nasher

chewy · 12 February 2009, 15:35

I personally think he's having your eyes out.
We use Hawk Fasteners in Teesside and they do most things you need.
Find out what spec your outboard manufacturer's bolts are and then have a ring around.

Not quite the same but Key Parts wanted a fair bit of money for some funny size bolts when we could get the same bolts local for alot less than half price!

matt h · 12 February 2009, 15:49

£60!!!! Sounds like a rip off, try G R Fasteners in Avonmouth Bristol, and they will post them up ,01179 381122 Paid approx £20.00 in Stainless Steel

Nasher · 12 February 2009, 16:00

Some might not agree, but I've always used standard Stainless Steel M12 Bolts without the fine pitch etc that are @ the £20 mark for 6.

My previous comments were for the absolutely correct 1/2in fine pitch thread bolts, which I always thought were not Stainless, but Phosphur Bronze or something.
Is there really any such thing as proper High Tensile Stainless steel?

Nasher

jwalker · 12 February 2009, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

I personally think he's having your eyes out.

Yeh, me too. If nothing else, your Scottishness should prevent you paying that sort of money.

You do not need to use stainless bolts and I've never used them but I do use stainless nyloc nuts and washers. Normal M12 high tensile bolts will do the job fine, be stronger than the stainless super-duper bolts and they'll be a couple of kwid each if you're unlucky.

Be sure to seal the bolts into the transom, put a dab of grease on the thread before the nut is fitted and saw off any excess thread protruding from the nut. It you feel you'd like the extra security, put a normal nut onto the thread and then follow it up with the nyloc one as a locknut. Use thick washers to prevent crushing the transom.

Pete7 · 13 February 2009, 07:36

For those Solent based, obtaining suitable 1/2" UNF bolts is becoming difficult, unless you know that the second hand chandlery barge on the Hamble has a box full of suitable sizes.

Pete

Matt · 13 February 2009, 07:48

My last ones came from Broward Bolt, Pompano Beach, FL. They're happy to post.

Or
http://a2stainless.co.uk/E-1-2-Diameter_B22MO0.aspx - a few sizes.

chewy · 13 February 2009, 09:57

It was UNF that my Dad needed and I'm sure Hawk Fasteners did them.

9D280 · 13 February 2009, 13:15

A bit more local (but not if you are in Glasgow!) Is Grampian Fasteners in Aberdeen - It did help that work took me up there regularly last year, but I think they do mail order.... 01224 772777 Usual postscript that I'm nowt but a satisfied customer.

Other Q -is your 2- stroke old enough to have clamp bolts on the transom "hooks"? - I was amazed my Merc 60 has holes only big enough to take M8! they look REALLY small compared to what was holding the old Yam down.....

yoyo · 13 February 2009, 13:26

The engine mounting bolts that were supplied with my engine are 1/2" UNF high tensile.

codprawn · 13 February 2009, 15:04

These prices look pretty good

http://www.namrick.co.uk/browse.asp?PCID=5

A wide range as well.

K&S · 13 February 2009, 16:54

Excellent many thanks for taking the time to post the link codprawn.
Thanks everyone for your help

Saved me cash for some other gizmo for the boat

outboardtech · 19 February 2009, 17:52

never pay 60 quid mate . I have some if you want . let me know for 30 quid

K&S · 21 February 2009, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by outboardtech

never pay 60 quid mate . I have some if you want . let me know for 30 quid

All sorted and a lot less than £30

jwalker · 21 February 2009, 22:09

Excellent.

outboardtech · 22 February 2009, 08:16

make sure you got nylon lock nuts on the end of them mate .

yoyo · 22 February 2009, 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by outboardtech

make sure you got nylon lock nuts on the end of them mate .

Nah....a touch of loctite on the threads is fine.