Garelick Motor Bracket?

[vudo]

Anyone have experience with the Garelick motor bracket? The limited space I have on my transom only allows for the smaller model designed for the 2-stroke, but I have a 4 stroke honda 8 hp. The weight is 97 lbs and the bracket is rated for 115 lbs. I can't make more space on the transom w/o going to a bigger boat and I don't have the money for that. What would you do? I called and talked to them and they said the 2-stroke has a lower torque than the 4-cycle motor. I always thought it was the other way around? Any thoughts or experience? Thanks.

[KChookem]

I have experience with two of their models, the SS bracket now recommended for 2-strokes, and a sturdier model for 4-strokes. I do not know that the model would make much difference when actually under power, but my experience is that trailering, the extra difference in outboard weight made a huge difference.

Both brackets bolted into the same holes on my transom, and I do not believe there is much of a difference in width of the motor-mounting pads. OMC also makes a OB motor bracket for 4-strokes, but I've never used theirs.

I first had the stainless steel spring model, which was their sturdiest model at the time. It was fine with a 2-stroke, but when I went to a 15 hp Honda, things changed. The most significant difference was that after a year or so of trailering with the motor on the boat, the bracket began to tear apart from the motor bouncing when hitting every little flaw in the roadway. More motor bouncing occurred on the water. The bracket tore at the holes where it bolts to the transom. It never broke completely, but eventually it would have.

I now have a model made for 4-strokes (it was the sturdiest model at the time, not sure if it still is). It works fine, but it does take the extra motor weight to move it down because of heavy-duty springs. I winch the bracket down when trailering to minimize the motor bouncing.

For a time, I transported the motor in the pickup bed, but that got tedious, and difficult, very quickly.

[fishingls]

I had a heavy duty (higher HP rated) Garelick bracket fail and drop a Yamaha kicker onto the road. Not a pretty sight. I then went to the OMC bracket and never had a problem with it. Lately, OMC brackets seem to be tough to come by-especially the heavier one.
In Garelick's defense, they did help me with my loss. They seem to be a very reputable company and they work hard on customer satisfaction.
After my loss, I learned from Glen Wooldridge that bracket failure is an increasing problem. The bouncing of a kicker motor will cause bracket failure. The effect is compounded by the rough road surfaces especially when traveling in the right lanes of freeways.
To help stop the hammering effect of the kicker on the bracket, secure your kicker motor so it doesn't balance up and down. If you have a questions as to if your kicker is bouncing, have some one else tow your boat and then follow them. Watch your kicker and observe what it is doing. If it is bouncing secure it with a tie down strap around the lower portion of the kicker. You might have to add eye holders to your boat for the strap hooks. I have found that a tie down strap really helps the longevity of a kicker bracker.
The best option is to build a welded box bracket for your kicker. However if you do this, plan on using a tie down on your kicker as doing this will protect your bracket box and kicker.

[Duckwheat]

DO NOT DO IT! I have a Yamaha 9.9 off the mouth of Quatisino sound in about 250' feet of water. It was the heavy duty model rated for a 4 stroke. Metal fatigued and cracked and gave way, without warning.

It bounced the same motor off over in Id Painter's neighborhood but the fuel line held it until I got it back in.

Every time I see one on here for sale I feel like trashing the post. I went to a solid stainless steel model with a new T8 with electric tilt.

I really miss that 9.9. It happened last July. It is difficult even now talking about it.

Duckwheat, Garelick Intervention Specialist

[vudo]

Thank you everyone for the response. I'm really glad I asked, I'm definitely not going to get it now! Saved me a lot of money and future headache! Thanks.

[ReadyPro1]

This is a high thrust bracket from Adventure Marine .Net I put one on my boat this fall with a Yamaha T8.

No bounce and its rock solid its made out of aluminum and is powder coated to boot.




http://www.adventuremarine.net/images/product-large/4100HTTM.jpg

[BigWaterBigFish]

I have ss model for my 9.9 Honda, no problems, very pleased with the operation and wear/tear - I tied down the motor to reduce bounce with bunges and run with motor up but secured when on the water, no worries.

[Green Machine]

Man, I also thought I was the only one to have problems too. I have the heavy 4-stroke bracket, but it is starting to wear out. (Kicker bounces bad) I'd like a solid mount, but I have the raise and lower the kicker.

ReadyPro1, does the mount move up and down??

Green Machine

[ET]

Green Machine,

I put a solid bracket on my boat after the adjustable wore out. The tricky part is mounting the solid bracket on the transom at just the right height so when the kicker is tilted down the prop is just under the hull and when the kicker is tilted up, it stays completely out of the water. Depending on your boat, you probably need a long shaft or maybe an extra-long shaft kicker.

Once you have a solid kicker bracket, you'll never go with anything else! Especially with an electric T&T Yamaha T8!

[Riverside]

I also have a Fulton bracket that just failed. Does anyone have any recommendations on a fixed bracket design that might work or a shop locally that can build one for a T8?

Luckily no damage to my kicker.

Thanks, Riverside

[Road Rage]

http://www.adventuremarine.net/images/product-large/4100HTTM.jpg

This is a great looking bracket. If/when the time comes for me to install a new bracket, I'll be looking at this option. Right now I have one of the hydraulic OMC brackets for my 9.9 Merc XL. I use a tie-down strap to a transom cleat to prevent bouncing when on the road. At over 100-lbs, it's too much of a chore for me to install/remove the kicker for trailering.