Best Outboard Bracket for Tohatsu 6HP Long Shaft

[Hugo B]

Hi

I recently mounted a Tohatsu 6HP long shaft outboard with Sail Drive on my sailboat. It moves my 3 tonne boat very well, but the bracket is all wrong.

When I bought the bracket I was told it was rated for up to 7.5 HP but it looks like the spring is not strong enough to counterbalance the weight of 26 kg or 57 lbs. So when I move my outboard from one slot into another, it immediately wants to fall down to the lowest slot and you have to pull hard to keep it higher and then guide it into another slot. But if I were to buy a bracket rated for a higher HP, the spring might be too strong and make it hard to move the outboard into lower slots or the very strong spring might make the outboard jump out of its slots.

When I google brackets, the problem is that they are all rated by HP and not by weight. Also, these brackets might not take account of the extra power generated by the Tohatsu Sail Drive to move the boat forward compared more conventional 6 HP outboards.

Of most concern is that the first time I used it on the water, it jumped out of the slot position it was in and fell down to the lowest slot, although I tightened those locking nuts very hard (this can only be done by hand). The other problem is that the bracket seems to wobble somewhat when using it on the water. Overall it just does not feel right.

Anyone know if there is a recommended bracket for a Tohatsu 6HP long shaft outboard with Sail Drive? There seems to be nothing on their website. Or perhaps someone has the Tohatsu mounted on their boat and has a good bracket that definitely works?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Hugo

[Weatherbird]

This is what I used with the same motor. I paid $181.03 for it in 2016. It's over sprung for the weight having to be forced down the last bit and there's a pin that likes to work it's way out and has to be tapped back in a couple times a year but I was happy with it. It's not available anymore through that seller and I doubt it's the best but there you are.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0014479BE

[Indolent58]

I went through the same process when sourcing new motor brackets for my sailing club a few years back. We also had 6hp Tohatsu motors. I ended up with Marinetech Panther brackets. They are very solid. I bought oversized ones because Marinetech insists that their lower weight/hp capacity models shouldn’t be used with 4 stroke motors, although why is not explained. As a consequence you did have to push the motor down to operating position but the effort was not bad and it’s certainly nice to have it pop up to the stowed position.

[thomm225]

Yeah, pretty much like I posted time.

A Panther Bracket works great just replace the hand knobs with Teflon Nuts as they tend to vibrate off with small one cylinder outboards.
__________________________________________________ ________

So the Panther Bracket I have holds the 5 HP 25" Extra Long Shaft Outboard I mentioned above.

The outboard weighs about 58 lbs. and is similar to yours.

I modified it a bit and later removed the hand tightening knobs and replaced with Teflon nuts. The knobs will vibrate off. I added a couple 2 X 4 sections to extend the mounting pad back a bit so I could raise the engine.

It never jumps out of a setting/slot and comes up pretty easily.

My boat is 3.5 tons.

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ft-289507.html

Garelick is another good brand.

https://www.hopkins-carter.com/oumobr.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpZhq35etcw

[thomm225]

This is the one I have as you can see in the photos above.

It's rated for 4 stroke motors up to 15HP with max weight 132 lbs.

Max. 15 HP 4-Stroke & 20 HP 2-Stroke, 11″ Lift, Stainless Steel 55-0408SS
SKU: 550408SS

Adjustable Stainless Steel outboard motor bracket. Works with 4-Stroke motors up to 15hp or 2-Stroke motors up to 20hp, max weight 132lbs. Twist-knob Safety Locks provide increased torque rating while helping secure bracket in place. Built extra-tough and extra-wide for secondary, higher-torque, four-stroke engines. Motor’s weight is counterbalanced by heavy-duty stainless steel torsion springs for easy lifting. The 55-0408SS boasts a 2″ thick, weatherproof and maintenance-free polypropylene mounting board along with aircraft-type stainless steel hardware. Four-position lock bar and 11″ of travel allow for a better range of trim adjustment letting you fine-tune motor height for optimal performance. Meets ABYC Standards. (Do not use without Panther 55-0415 safety cable—included.)
Rated for long or short shaft engines.

Setback: 8 3/4″ in the up position and 14″ in the down position

Max weights allowed listed on for each bracket in link below.

https://panthermarineproducts.com/ou...otor-brackets/