Outboard needs to be centered?

Mine sits on one side just so things are better balanced when I'm running
it.
G
"Lloyd Sumpter" <lsumpter DeleteThis @shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:pan.2003.06.26.21.23.34.752130@shaw.ca...
 > Hi,
 >
 > I'm looking for room on my transom for an electric trolling motor, and
 > I was wondering: does my 15hp outboard have to be in the exact center of
 > the transom? How far "off" can it be? Last time I went out, I moved it all
 > the way to the side of the motorboard (about 4-5 inches from center) with
 > no apparent ill effects. (Boat is a 12ft aluminum skiff)
 >
 > Comments?
 >
 > Lloyd Sumpter
 > "Delta Flyer" Mirrocraft 12
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Outboard needs to be centered? 

Now there's something I never even thought of! Good point - I'll move
it to port a bit cuz I usually sit to stbd, and that will leave room for
the trolling motor on the stbd side of the transom.

Killing two birds with one stone - gotta like that!

Lloyd


On Fri, 27 Jun 2003 18:26:18 +0000, GAZ wrote:

 > Mine sits on one side just so things are better balanced when I'm running
 > it.
 > G
 > "Lloyd Sumpter" <lsumpter.DeleteThis@shaw.ca> wrote in message
 > news:pan.2003.06.26.21.23.34.752130@shaw.ca...
  >> Hi,
  >>
  >> I'm looking for room on my transom for an electric trolling motor, and
  >> I was wondering: does my 15hp outboard have to be in the exact center of
  >> the transom? How far "off" can it be? Last time I went out, I moved it all
  >> the way to the side of the motorboard (about 4-5 inches from center) with
  >> no apparent ill effects. (Boat is a 12ft aluminum skiff)
  >>
  >> Comments?
  >>
  >> Lloyd Sumpter
  >> "Delta Flyer" Mirrocraft 12
  >><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Outboard needs to be centered? 

Becareful when relocating an outboard to other than centerline position.
Not only will the boat perform differently but you also have to take
into consideration the TORQUE the prop delivers. If this is a right
handed prop (most are) Id move its position to the RIGHT/starboard side
before going LEFT. Torque will tend to rotate the boat on its fore/aft
axis (roll), especially when running at wide open throttle.

With a right handed prop, most helms are mounted on the RIGHT side of
the boat to counteract torque.

Hope this helps.

GAZ wrote:
 > Mine sits on one side just so things are better balanced when I'm running
 > it.
 > G
 > "Lloyd Sumpter" <lsumpter.RemoveThis@shaw.ca> wrote in message
 > news:pan.2003.06.26.21.23.34.752130@shaw.ca...
 >
  >>Hi,
  >>
  >> I'm looking for room on my transom for an electric trolling motor, and
  >>I was wondering: does my 15hp outboard have to be in the exact center of
  >>the transom? How far "off" can it be? Last time I went out, I moved it all
  >>the way to the side of the motorboard (about 4-5 inches from center) with
  >>no apparent ill effects. (Boat is a 12ft aluminum skiff)
  >>
  >> Comments?
  >>
  >>Lloyd Sumpter
  >>"Delta Flyer" Mirrocraft 12
  >>
 >
 >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Outboard needs to be centered? 

Hmmm....Good Point in theory. I think it would matter if my engine was
a 225hp Black Max, but I doubt I'd notice any torque effects on my little
9.9.

I'll to a little experimenting and see if I can see a difference.

Lloyd


On Fri, 27 Jun 2003 19:47:59 +0000, RichH wrote:

 > Becareful when relocating an outboard to other than centerline position.
 > Not only will the boat perform differently but you also have to take
 > into consideration the TORQUE the prop delivers. If this is a right
 > handed prop (most are) Id move its position to the RIGHT/starboard side
 > before going LEFT. Torque will tend to rotate the boat on its fore/aft
 > axis (roll), especially when running at wide open throttle.
 >
 > With a right handed prop, most helms are mounted on the RIGHT side of
 > the boat to counteract torque.
 >
 > Hope this helps.
 >
 > GAZ wrote:
  >> Mine sits on one side just so things are better balanced when I'm running
  >> it.
  >> G
  >> "Lloyd Sumpter" <lsumpter.DeleteThis@shaw.ca> wrote in message
  >> news:pan.2003.06.26.21.23.34.752130@shaw.ca...
  >>
   >>>Hi,
   >>>
   >>> I'm looking for room on my transom for an electric trolling motor, and
   >>>I was wondering: does my 15hp outboard have to be in the exact center of
   >>>the transom? How far "off" can it be? Last time I went out, I moved it all
   >>>the way to the side of the motorboard (about 4-5 inches from center) with
   >>>no apparent ill effects. (Boat is a 12ft aluminum skiff)
   >>>
   >>> Comments?
   >>>
   >>>Lloyd Sumpter
   >>>"Delta Flyer" Mirrocraft 12
   >>>
  >>
  >>
  >><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Outboard needs to be centered? 

I wouldn't worry too much about locating the outboard if its a displacment
hull. Small outboards are commonly mounted on the side of canoes. However,
if its a planinig hull I'd be careful, you could end up with an unstable
boat.



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 >> Stay informed about: Outboard needs to be centered? 

Check our Renn Tolman's book "A Skiff for all Seasons" and his
"Addendums." He recommends putting the main outboard (high horse
power - 40, 50 ,70 HP) off center by 10 inches on a 20 foot by 7 foot
high speed skiff (20 - 35 MPH). This allows full clearance for a
small kicker to also be mounted on the transom. The separation allows
for full turning of either motor without clashing. Alaskan net skiffs
commonly have the outboard off center too, and no kicker.

Many, many folks have done this with no adverse control or operational
problems at either low or high speed.

Dave Wright
Seattle, WA
 >> Stay informed about: Outboard needs to be centered?