Questions about a MacGregor 25 motor mount replacement

[jollyroger47]

I have to replace the motor mount on my 1983 Macgregor 25 because of wear and tear. I removed the original motor mount form the transom and have taken it to a few fabricators asking whether or not repairing it would be worth it, and have gotten a range of answers. I was considering having it repaired because I did not want to have to drill new holes in the transom by replacing the old motor mount with a new one however, I wound up getting a new motor mount which is smaller.

The problem/ puzzling part of this is for me is that I have a new motor mount which said in the description it was designed for my outboard, but it is smaller then the original motor mount that was on the boat when I purchased it. It is smaller on the part I would have to attach to the transom (meaning I would have to drill new holes and pray I don't mess it up), or take it to the metal shop and have it welded to fit in the holes already drilled in the boat.

Should I just install the new motor mount to the best of my abilities and hope that there are no snags? Or should I have someone weld the pieces off the old motor mount that attach to the hull to the new motor mount and compensate for any differences in height?

Sorry if that doesn't make any sense, I have been doing my best to get this resolved for a few weeks now and it has left me puzzled.

Thanks for any responses,

Jollyroger47

[Maraquita]

My old mid 70's V-25 had 3 sets of holes in the stern for different motor mounts when I got her. In spite of the swiss cheese appearance, I never had any trouble with cracking or even flexing when I used the retractable motor mount that was installed while I owned her.

I would use a bent hook of some kind to ream out the existing holes so as to make sure that there is no rot starting (in case the previous installation was not sealed well). Crawl into the aft berth area and glue a piece of 'glass over the inside of each hole, using either epoxy or polyester resin, whichever you prefer. from the outside, carefully fill the holes with white epoxy (Marine Tex or similar), make it even with the existing gell coat and call it good.

Mount the new motor mount per the instructions, and no-one will ever know the difference. Be sure to bed the mount bolts well with 3M 5200 or similar so that you don't introduce your own problems in the plywood!

Good Luck!

[TIMBOAT2]

Your lucky day. I have one listed on Craigslist. It is off my 1977 V25. The assist spring is broken on this one, otherwise in good shape. I am in Sparks.
PM me if interested.
Tim