MacGregorSailors.com

Has anyone cut out a space on the port side of the rear transom to mount the kicker and make it more accessible from inside the cockpit? If yes pictures please. Thanks

This is what I am talking about this picture is from an earlier model mine is an 81 and does not have the engine well. The other pic is from my V222.

I think about this a lot, but most likely will never follow through. The reason is that the the pivoting brackets, while annoying, do actually solve a problem. That is that the prop has to sit pretty low in order to stay in the water as you pass over waves, but pretty high to not drag in the water when stowed.

A power boat has more weight and more buoyancy in the rear, as it goes over waves the pivot point is pretty close to the transom. But on a sailboat the weight, buoyancy, and pivot point are closer to the center, by the keel. So as you go over waves, the water level at the transom can change dramatically.

If you create a permanent mounting point, you want to put it as low as possible to keep the prop in the water, but that may negate some of the accessibility advantage, and it may drag when stowed. On the example photo, I would be surprised if that prop stayed in the water going over a powerboat wake.

Of course location matters too. On smaller lakes/rivers, maybe typical waves just aren’t big enough for this to be as much of a problem.

I don't know of anyone that has done this exactly,
but there is nothing stopping you from taking it on.
So long as you are up to the glass work required.

This project is on my list of mods to do since my boat has a push pit and I am darned tired
of squeeeezing thru and hanging off the transom when my outboard has some issue.
Getting at my tilt lever quickly is currently a clown act, especially in any kind of seaway and at 0-dark thirty.

I will be doing this as soon as I get up some more gumption to get all itchy again....