Yet another question

[Mark Wo]

I built this boat starting last year and it has worked well for me. Not the perfect boat but getting closer.

Yesterday it was trailered the furthest it ever has. I have been securing the longtail by wrapping a strap around it near the prop and tightening it down. It has worked well before but not yesterday. As can be seen, I put a piece of foam between my folder over seat and the longtail shaft. As hard as I tightened it down, it would still flip the foam over, become loose and bounce around. Not ideal.

I need another way to secure the longtail. I have been thinking about a 2"X4" board with a v notch at the top to set the shaft into. Then strap it down. I am concerned that the 2"X4" on its own would tip over one way or the other.

Looking for better solutions. I do. It want the longtail sitting on top of the chair anymore. Long term it would become an issue.

Appreciate the help.

Mark

 

[Carl]

How about cutting a slit into a pole noodle, putting the noodle over the drive shaft, then place a couple of tie down straps around the entire rig?
Just dont tighten too much or you could bend the shaft.

 

[Huntindave McCann]

Perhaps build a cradle. The notched cradle could sit down over the gunnels. Positioned between the skeg and the chair back with enough height to clear the chair back. The shaft would rest in the notch in the cradle. Use two pieces, connected to each other as one unit, spaced apart to provide stability.
Crude drawing; The green lines represent the boat hull.

 

[Mark Wo]

How about cutting a slit into a pole noodle, putting the noodle over the drive shaft, then place a couple of tie down straps around the entire rig?
Just dont tighten too much or you could bend the shaft.

Thank you Carl. I have tried pool noodles over the shaft and have learned that if the shaft sits on the chair, it just doesn't work.

I should have included this info.

I have seen some pretty ingenious ideas on the web. Most of them are how to secure the shaft if the skeg sits on the bottom of the boat. I can't do this unfortunately with the layout in my boat.

Thanks again.

 

[Mark Wo]

Perhaps build a cradle. The notched cradle could sit down over the gunnels. Positioned between the skeg and the chair back with enough height to clear the chair back. The shaft would rest in the notch in the cradle. Use two pieces, connected to each other as one unit, spaced apart to provide stability.
Crude drawing; The green lines represent the boat hull.
View attachment 69944

Thank you Dave. I did think of using one cradle but thought it might collapse. Did not think k of using two cradles.

I did incorporate your idea for my seat. Works perfectly. Thank again.

 

[roy brewington]

About a 20" piece o 2x8 on floor with another piece of 2x8 extending up from that. v notch cut into top that . Shaft sits in v notch. Up right measured so that shaft sits into v notch just above seat height. Affix a stray over shaft to up right and a cargo strap wrapped around shaft extending over sides of boat to good tie off point. Maybe trailer frame? You may want to add a brace either side of upright to floor plate just for good measure.

 

[Ed L.]

Just a thought. Rivet an pad eye on each side of the aluminum seat towards the side of the boat. Turn your attached seat 90 degrees. Place a pool noodle over your drive shaft longer than you seat base. Place the longtail on the seat base and fold the seat back down over the shaft. Place a ratchet strap from eye pad to eye pad and ratchet tight enough over the seat back to hold it and the longtail in place. Worked for me on a couple of boats I've had.

 

[William Reinicke]

one of the issues we had with putting big outboards on our jon boats is the sway side to side when trailering. What we found was to buy an eye strap, mount to the back of the boat and use these heavy duty husky hanging straps. It limits the outboard from rocking side to side, down the road and its quick and easy to unhook when taking off the trailer. Not sure this could work, but maybe attach an eye strap to the back of the chair and use one of these husky hanging straps? You might even be able to come back further with the set up and attach it to the aluminum box half way down the shaft.

An eye strap like this:

5/16 in. x 1-7/16 in. 316 Grade Stainless Steel Eye Strap (2-Pack)

And the husky strap we use:

Husky 18 in. Heavy Duty Hanging Quick-Release Hooks with Carabiner Strap HD00138-TH - The Home Depot

Provide an essential and ideal tool with this Husky Tote Carabiner Hang Strap .Ideal for organizing and hanging rope, chain, tubing, gardening tools.

www.homedepot.com