Retro-fitting electric motor on fibreglass boat

[seasponge]

What are mounting options for an electric motor on a 5m fibreglass boat? Would love to see some pics of how others have done it on their fibreglass boats (I'm picturing it not as easy as on an aluminium boat). 

[noelm]

Depending on the boat, any fabrication place can make you a base, but if it’s suitable, you might be able to adapt something yourself. Post a picture of your front deck, not too close so we have no idea what we are looking at.

[seasponge]

I wouldn't look at doing anything myself. Knowing my handyman skills I'll stuff it up and it'll end up on the bottom of the Hawkesbury the first time I deploy it!

I don't have the motor yet, am trying to confirm the feasibilty of mounting before I proceed. Photos of boat bow below.

[XD351]

Sent you a PM .

[Bryant fish]

Good luck nice looking boat

[seasponge]

11 minutes ago, Bryant fish said:

Good luck nice looking boat

Thanks. She's a nice ride. Before I got it, I'd promised myself my next boat would have an electric motor. Got this one to be more family friendly, but missing an electric! 

[JonD]

This was on my boat when I first purchased it.

[noelm]

Getting a Mount made would be pretty simple, but the bow rail will need to go.

[zmk1962]

On 10/26/2023 at 4:12 PM, seasponge said:

What are mounting options for an electric motor on a 5m fibreglass boat? Would love to see some pics of how others have done it on their fibreglass boats (I'm picturing it not as easy as on an aluminium boat). 

I was looking into this a few years back for the Haines ... you may get some inspiration from this old post of mine. To Noel's point, whichever way you go, you will have to do something with the bow rail to allow deploying and stowing the leccy. I was very intrigued with the Cruise Craft approach where they modified the bow rail and incorporated it into making a platform for the electric. I had some sketches and was at the stage of getting a quite from a local s/s fabricator when the good wife and I decided to upgrade the boat. 

Best of luck with it.

Cheers Zoran

 

 

Edited October 29, 2023 by zmk1962

[seasponge]

Thanks Zoran. I had already searched and had seen your old post and wondered how it had panned out.