Cetacea Page 41

June 15, 2001

Modified Montauks

A lot of us sit all winter thinking about all the things we might do to the boat in the spring, although many of those projects never seem to get started once the weather improves. Two Whaler Montauk owners decided to update their boats this winter by adding an engine setback bracket. Here is a look at these refitted Montauks and the results of the modifications.

Adding an Engine Bracket to a Whaler Montauk

Barry Burtenshaw refitted his Montauk with an engine set back bracket, encouraged by comments and suggestions from the website. He sent in a few photographs that show the process and the results:

"Because of your site, the discussions on setback plates, and your super reference article on engine brackets, I decided to add one to my 1974 Montauk.

"Here are a few more pics to add to your collection. A 'before' shot, a 'during' shot with the engine suspended from a tree limb, and an 'after' shot showing the bracket, new Doel-Fin, and 'new' Stilleto prop (that I purchased used from kingfish). The 'after' was taken the next day in my very cluttered garage. What you don't see in the 'during' is the large limb wrapped a couple of times with a 6' length of 1/4" chain and the shackle. The jackplate is an 8" Rite-Hite that I purchased on eBay. I also added a transom support plate and had to replace the fuel line with a longer one."

1974 Whaler 17 Montauk To begin the process of installing a new engine setback bracket, the boat is strategically manuevered under a stout tree limb. PhotoCredit: Barry Burtenshaw - Reference: 41-1

Fitting an Engine Bracket With the tree providing an overhead support, the engine is unbolted from the transom. The skeg is blocked up to bear some of the weight, too. For a few critical moments the engine hangs suspended. The boat is moved forward, and--hopefully--the bracket slips right into place. Don't forget to reseal the transom bolt holes! PhotoCredit: Barry Burtenshaw - Reference: 41-2

Engine on Setback Bracket The finished installation. The engine is set back from the transom on the adjustable bracket. A new stainless steel propellor should also help improve performance. To transfer some of the load to the trailer, a support brace has been installed for trailering. The black bracket with red trim goes beautifully with the original engine color scheme! PhotoCredit: Barry Burtenshaw - Reference: 41-3

Transom Room Besides the anticipated improvements in performance, moving the engine aft on the bracket cleans up the transom area. PhotoCredit: Barry Burtenshaw - Reference: 41-4

Montauk Make Over

Texan Rex Bettis <rbettis@jb-yachts.com> sent me a wonderful set of scans of his latest Classic Whaler restoration and repowering. The photography was as excellent as the restoration work. It was difficult picking which images to use, so here I concentrate on the bracket mounting in particular. The details of the rest of the boat are equally superb. Rex writes:

"As a kid I grew up running around in a 11-foot Whaler my family had as a dinghy to our cruising boat. The first Whaler I actually owned was a 1978 13-Sport which was featured on Cetacea Page 24.

"My wife and I recently moved up to our next Whaler, a 1986 17-Montauk. We mainly will use the boat for cruising and fishing around the Galveston Bay, Texas area. The 17 proves to be a nice upgrade from the 13 for available space, comfort of ride and overall versatility.

"I have spent many a night working in the garage on my new restoration project project which has recently been completed. The Montauk is now in "like new" condition. I would certainly like to thank all of the folks on continuousWave for their insight and ideas.

"Something you may notice is that I chose not to place the rails back on the boat. The bow rail would definitely be in my way when fishing plus it would rattle alot. The side rails I may place back later on, but it sure is nice being able to sit on the gunnels, etc.

"The following items are totally new in the past seven months since I bought the boat:

• 2001 115HP Evinrude Ficht
• OMC Raker 13.5- X 18-inch prop (40 Kts. at 5700 RPM)
• 24-gallon Pate fiberglass fuel tank
• 2001 Aluminator Trailer w/detachable tounge
• CMC 2 piece manual jackplate
• CMC transom washer plate (engraved with "Boston Whaler")
• Complete Awlgrip paint and non-skid
• Whaler OEM rubrail
• Whaler OEM sternlight
• State registration numbers and Whaler decals in dark blue (just to be different)
• Windshield
• OMC control, tach, hour gauge, wire harness, cables, 1.8 gallon oil tank
• Marinco 12-volt water resistant receptacle
• Garmin 160 Fishfinder
• Garmin 126 GPS with built in antenna
• Icom M45 VHF radio
• Shakespeare 36-inch S/S 3dB whip antenna and console rail mount
• Ritchie compass
• 13.5" S/S destroyer steering wheel
• 2 Optima absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries (mounted in console resting on the deck)
• Guest battery selector switch
• Dual Pro onboard battery charger
• Sunbrella bimini top with boot and S/S fittings
• Igloo 72qt cooler / seat
• Rod holders on front of console
• RPS and cooler seat cushion and rod holder cushions, all with blue trim (From Daves)
• 1-inch thick 60x14 Mahogany thwart seat (I will use as a casting platform, too)
• Racor fuel filter
• Norman pin
• Hella switch panel
• Starboard dash panel

"I have also: rechromed my bow light/chock, applied 8 to 10 coats of Epifanes varnish to all wood, repaired and Awlgrip painted my aluminum RPS legs.

"The 115 Ficht weighs 362 pounds and has logged only 11 hours so far, but I certainly find it more than adaquate. The engine is quick starting, quiet running and just sips fuel compared to the carbureted 2-strokes. The GPS shows the boat will do 20 knots @ 3000 RPM and 41 knots @ WOT, which is 5700 RPM (5750 is the maximum rated crankshaft speed)."

1986 Boston Whaler 17-Montauk with Engine Bracket This clasic Montauk has been repowered with a new 115-HP Ficht engine mounted on a jack plate. The rest of the boat received equal attention and refitting. In all, a wonderful job has been done! PhotoCredit: Rex Bettis - Reference: 41-5

Finely Fitted Ficht By mounting the engine on a jack plate, the effective transom height can be adjusted to an optimum setting. This brackt affords a minimum of set back, which is appropriate for this installation as the modern engine weight is considerably more than was originally contemplated when the hull was designed. (The horsepower is a little over the top, too!) PhotoCredit: Rex Bettis - Reference: 41-6

1986 Montauk Beauty The restoration of this Montauk has been accomplished with outstanding skill. Everything on this boat just gleams! PhotoCredit: Rex Bettis - Reference: 41-7

Engine Well A RACOR fuel-water separator/filter has been added to the fuel system. The engraved transom mounting panel is a nice detail. Has your boat ever been this clean? PhotoCredit: Rex Bettis - Reference: 41-8

Static Trim Comparison Two Montauks side-by-side allow comparison of the static trim. The heavier engine and aft mounting with bracket have put the stern down a bit and the bow up on Rex's boat. The fuel tank is full and so is the cooler, including ice and two trout. This static trim change will need less engine trim when on plane, better aligning the engine thrust and perhaps producing some higher top speeds. PhotoCredit: Rex Bettis - Reference: 41-9

DISCLAIMER: This information is believed to be accurate but there is no guarantee. We do our best!

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Copyright © 2001 by James W. Hebert. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited!

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Author: James W. Hebert