Painting and grassing up an outboard engine?

[CAnderson]

In my quest to be a real duck hunter, I have decided to again do the devious, evil deed of painting the outboard on my duck boat. The last boat was a 2001 with an outboard from 1996. I didn't have a problem painting that one. The new boat, however, is well, new. The boat and engine are both 2014 models and I for some reason was hesitant painting the new engine. After a half dozen hunts and dealing with the tedious nature of the grass that I have been using to keep it covered. I have decided to paint it and be done with it. I ordered up some Grizzly grip in duck boat brown color to add some additional non-slip texture in areas where humans and four legged companions board and work from. I made sure I ordered enough to cover the engine as well.

So, with that long winded explanation out of the way, here is the real question that I am getting at. . .with the base brown color taken care of, has anyone given thoughts to adding permanent grassing strips to the cover on their outboard? I am thinking about adding two rows of grassing rails around the outside of the engine cover. They would be black nylon footman loops (http://cdn3.volusion.com/tf5kb.xfex7/v/vspfiles/photos/PFL-2.jpg?1392897097) and tan webbing. I would be able to stuff grass into the webbing and cinch them down to the webbing with zip ties. I would also be able to draw the webbing taught with a couple of buckles. Would there be a problem drilling holes for stainless fasteners needed to secure the footman loops to the engine cover? Basically, what I don't know is. . .does the engine cover provide a function other than to keep water from getting into the engine and electrical components? If necessary, the engine is a 2014 Evinrude E-Tec 30hp.

Thanks in advance.

Chad A

 

[Craig F]

While my engine is not painted, (I use a camo burlap cover), I do use a bungee cord for my grassing. Not permanent, but it takes only a few seconds to wrap around the cowling and shove some grass in.

 

[Tom Scholberg]

I have always been of the shake, rattle and spray but then my "new" motor is a 1978. I feel your pain regarding a new motor. If you do install grass strips be sure to post pics, I'm interested. I have thought about the same sort of thing, kind of an outboard Gihli suit. I have taped mine up with camo duct tape short pieces that fray in the weather. Then rattle and spray. That could be part of your answer with tape first, that comes off.