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For those of you using clamp on outboards, are you using any type of pad or plate to protect your transom? I just refinished a 1969 13 ft. and would like to protect the transom and distribute the clamping force.

The transom has never been drilled for a bolt on engine and I don't plan to bolt on a motor at this time. Several lakes I like to fish have hp restrictions so I want to swap tiller steer motors without much fuss.

Also, do you generally just clamp your transom mount electric trolling motor directly to the stern, or do you use some sort of mount?

Thanks!

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You didn`t say what size motor you are clamping on your 13 footer. I would bolt on any 40hp, or an OMC 35, but anything smaller I would just clamp on, but that's only my opinion. When bolt on motors were commonly used aluminum plates that would go under the screw washers, with small lips that would prevent the motor from moving if it slightly loosened. they would screw on the transom, and also prevent clamp marks on your transom. You will have to look for them. If you change motors back and forth the smaller motor will have a narrower clamp. I built a motor transom mount to clamp my electric trolling motor to. It was also used to mount a 3hp outboard to, but I found the trolling motor has more power than the 3 hp outboard, and will run full speed for about 8 hours on its battery and the starting battery, if need be to get me back to the ramp.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c19...WHALER.jpg