07-30-2010, 06:52 PM
I haven't looked at mine lately but is it possible to mount the rear deck a few inches further back so once you get to the water you could unclip it and reach between the frame and the deck to lift it out of there. You could also put it back on as long as the boat is in the water. You might need to mount a couple spacers to keep it back.
Another thought (and again I don't have mine assembled to try it): Does it do any good to drill a second set of holes further down so you could at least lift it up higher once you've got it to the water. I know you had problems with weeds, but if it's higher that would be less of a problem. Also, once summer is over and the weeds are gone, you can just leave it in place to act as a keel, even when you have the motor mounted.
A more drastic solution might be to mount a wheel holder tube that both pivots and locks rather than the current fixed tube. That would allow you to pivot it up sideways when you don't need it (if it doesn't hit the pontoon) and rotate it back down when you do. If it can be rotated enought to clear the water you would be good. Would probably take some welding and or metal fabrication skills.
Jim
[signature]
Another thought (and again I don't have mine assembled to try it): Does it do any good to drill a second set of holes further down so you could at least lift it up higher once you've got it to the water. I know you had problems with weeds, but if it's higher that would be less of a problem. Also, once summer is over and the weeds are gone, you can just leave it in place to act as a keel, even when you have the motor mounted.
A more drastic solution might be to mount a wheel holder tube that both pivots and locks rather than the current fixed tube. That would allow you to pivot it up sideways when you don't need it (if it doesn't hit the pontoon) and rotate it back down when you do. If it can be rotated enought to clear the water you would be good. Would probably take some welding and or metal fabrication skills.
Jim
[signature]