10-25-2012, 03:17 PM
[cool][#0000ff]I keep experimenting with different motor mounts on my Fat Cat float tube. Made a new one last month that is lightweight and compact...but seems to be rock solid even with my 40# electric motor.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]This model is designed to fit on the pointy bow of any V-tube. But because different makes and models are of different thickness and design it will have to be custom measured and fitted for anything other than a Fat Cat. In the attached pics I have edited in dimensions on the components I used.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The basic idea is to use a "float pack" with two boat bumpers under the front of the tube...to support the additional weight of the battery and motor. Then the angled downshaft of the motor mount pushes down through the hole at the V top of the tube and down through the gap between the two boat bumpers. That helps lock it in place after you securely bungee the mount and the float pack together...around the top front part of the tube.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]One other new thing I incorporated on this mount was the use of some PVC boards I found at Lowes. They are 3 1/2" wide by about 3/4" thick. They do not warp or crack from moisture and they are tough...tough to saw and hold screws well. I used two thicknesses of those to replace the single piece of 2X4 I had been using for my motor mounts.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The one modification I made after my first trip out with the new model was adding another piece of 1" PVC (see pic) between the two PVC slats to curtail the tendency to squeeze inward when the motor is tightened down on the mount.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have had it on the water about 3 or 4 times now and it seems rock solid. Definitely takes up less space in the vehicle and on the tube.[/#0000ff]
[signature]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]This model is designed to fit on the pointy bow of any V-tube. But because different makes and models are of different thickness and design it will have to be custom measured and fitted for anything other than a Fat Cat. In the attached pics I have edited in dimensions on the components I used.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The basic idea is to use a "float pack" with two boat bumpers under the front of the tube...to support the additional weight of the battery and motor. Then the angled downshaft of the motor mount pushes down through the hole at the V top of the tube and down through the gap between the two boat bumpers. That helps lock it in place after you securely bungee the mount and the float pack together...around the top front part of the tube.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]One other new thing I incorporated on this mount was the use of some PVC boards I found at Lowes. They are 3 1/2" wide by about 3/4" thick. They do not warp or crack from moisture and they are tough...tough to saw and hold screws well. I used two thicknesses of those to replace the single piece of 2X4 I had been using for my motor mounts.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The one modification I made after my first trip out with the new model was adding another piece of 1" PVC (see pic) between the two PVC slats to curtail the tendency to squeeze inward when the motor is tightened down on the mount.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have had it on the water about 3 or 4 times now and it seems rock solid. Definitely takes up less space in the vehicle and on the tube.[/#0000ff]
[signature]