This will be my off-season project. The fiberglass tube was cracked when I bought the boat and even though I re-wrapped it in glass, using a 5 HP Nissan for the past 4 seasons has taken it's toll. Not sure what to do yet, but I'm leaning toward replacing the tube with a bracket, then mounting a plate to the bracket (on the outside of the transom) that the re-configured mount could be slid into. The idea would be to keep the motor connected to the mount so they could both be removed at once. One of the problems with removing a motor that large (esp. is chop) is that I always end up putting my foot on the post for stability - which isn't doing the glass tube any favors. May sketch something up.

:: Has anyone had problems with the tube the motor mount
:: slides into? I haven't but it looks fragile and I am
:: considering powering up to 5 or 6 hp. (I know I should
:: be sailing but I have some tidal flow issues)

:: I saw an Olsen 30 with a 71/2 hp with an interesting
:: mount. It had a solid mount attached to a slider (same
:: principle as the hatch slide)and a system of blocks to
:: run it up and down. While in the water the motor was a
:: bit closer to the stern than the Express mount and when
:: raised it has to be eaiser to install and remove. It
:: looked very lite. Does anyone use any mounting system
:: other than the origonal?