Securing auxiliary to transom

[Westcoaster]

Hi, just wondering how those of you with auxiliary engines secure them on the transom?
I’ve seen all the post about whether an aux is needed or not ;-) I’m in the “I have one” and happy with that.
My Yamaha 4hp 2 smoke, fits on fine - steering is limited but would use main engine as rudder if ever required. More interested to see pictures of how yours is secured, and if anybody uses something to stop the clamps marking the gelcoat- if so what?

Cheers

[Last Tango]

Hi

Mines is just clamped to the transom but I've also bolted it on in case it "flies off" in a car park somewhere while I'm having lunch. (Getting to the nuts is a real PIA). It never comes off and the boat's 18 years old so I'm not that bothered by any marks it might leave on the transom.

Just tie or clamp it off. Steers fine with the main engine even with it well trimmed out.

[jeffstevens763@g]

i made a plate for mine because it fell where the transom dipped down but if thats not a problem i would buy two dingy transom plates

[spartacus]

My auxiliary is secured using the outboard clamp straight onto the transom, but given these engines take a fair bit of vibration while underway I've also secured in the raised position with a ratchet strap through the cowl to a stainless steel U bolt on the transom knee. If I need to deploy urgently - I can cut the strap.

[chipko]

Hi Westcoaster,

Also a member of the ‘I have an auxiliary’ camp. Only a tiddler 3.5 but easily pushes us along at max hull length displacement speed of 5 knots at half revs - more revs, more noise, and no quicker.

We simply clamp onto transom, attach a rope safety leash and usually ratchet strap down. Sometimes store inboard, for long fast lumpy trips, on a bracket fixed to transom knee - sorry no pics.

Although full steering available with aux, found much more control steering with main. Perhaps a tad more drag but certainly less frantic.

Also concerned about protecting transom gel/flow coat. For a protector we cobble a cheapo liner utilising Ikea chopping mats (£1 a pair) which make four liners. Mats only around 1mm thick as we have a meaty transom only just less than outboards clamp capacity. They last around half a dozen runs, then replace.

[Westcoaster]

Thanks for the feedback and ideas, I don’t really want to drill through the transom to secure the aux, but liking the temp protection solution until I can get a more permanent one like Jeff’s made up - I guess sikaflexing this on would be suitable? Small ratchet to the a frame to hold up is perfect, got loads of these kicking about at work so will just cut if the aux is ever needed in a hurry.

Cheers