Glen-L.com

I understand that the motor well needs to accomodate the motor when it tilts, but how much extra room is needed for the splash? The motors I have been looking at seem to specify very large length (from stern forward) dimensions for the splashwell that seem impractical. I would like to build it for the minimum size needed for the motor tilt only..

Thanks for your advice....

If your goal is to run your steering cable through the tilt tube, then you'll need about 32" of width or the output ram will hit the side of the well and you'll not be able to get a full turn. If you don't want a well that wide, you can use a motorwell side mount which is what I wound up using on my Malahini. My width is 26" and that was just too narrow to use the tilt tube mount.

My tilt tube mount. You can see the motor is still straight and there is only a couple of inches for the output ram to move to the side where it did hit.


Side well mount:

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2011 MALAHINI - KICKED IN THE HEAD

I wake up with a 16ft woody every morning
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The inside dimensions for my Zip motor well are 32" wide and 19.5" deep. I covered part of the opening with the decking so the depth is effectively 14.5" and this accomodates the tilt on my Merc 500. Other motors may vary on their needs for tilting. You will need every inch of 32" in width for tilt tube steering, as Jeff mentioned. Otherwise an alternative method for steering is needed.

Roberta

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Roberta
Built Zip "Oliver IV" and Super Spartan "Jimmy 70"

Mine is, 22" wide, 13-3/4" long and 6" deep.

https://picasaweb.google.com/vupilot/Ch ... 5056245042

For the steering to clear on a short shaft 15" motor you will need more than 22" wide but I didnt like that look so I have a cutout for the steering arm to extend through the side. If you go with a 20" long shaft the tilt tube should be above the deck and not an issue in that case.

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My Zip build log...
http://www.vupilot.blogspot.com
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"Nothing screams poor craftsmanship like wrinkles in your duct tape."

The splashwell on our Zip is 22" wide and 18" deep (measured to the outside of the transom)--too narrow for the Teleflex Safety QC steering system without a hole cut in one side to clear the steering linkage at full lock. Chris is correct in that this is only a problem with short-shaft motors. Long-shaft motors will have all this stuff above deck. You can see what we had to do in the Customer Photos.

-Mark Shipley

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A boat is just a wooden box with no right angles.

Mark and Chris are exactly correct. The short shaft engines (15") generally set about 2 1/2" below the deck and the long shaft (20") set about 2 1/2" above. Motors like my vintage Merc 500 have an odd shaft length (16 1/2") and set precariously closer to the deck level so the area needs to be kept clear when using the tilt tube steering. I made my well 32" wide and set the decking forward a bit to allow the pushrod and cable associated with the tilt tube steering to miss the decking. Then I angled it a bit going forward to give the well a nicer appearance. Shaft length will need to be considered when constructing the boat. It is always helpfull to know what motor you are going to use so you can plan. It is also helpful to test fit the motor and rigging before the deckiing is applied.

Roberta

Here is a pic of the motor mounted while the deck is still off.



Here is a pic of the completed boat with motor in action.

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Roberta
Built Zip "Oliver IV" and Super Spartan "Jimmy 70"

Many thanks folks. Ian