Here is a short story for you. Pictured is a friend and me with a plywood boat that I came across in the late sixties. It was a 15 ft boat. We moved the seat as far back as we could with just enough room for the gas tank and battery to go in. After we had the steering wheel in place we hung a six cylinder Merc on it (in the photo). We had the need for speed. Well in our haste we decided to not bolt the motor, just clamp her good and tight! I just gave away the end of the story, but hang on. So on the brave and crazy wings of youth we headed to the lake to give her a run for the money. I had her running wide open and all was well. Our world was spinning in greased grooves. Then it happened, the fun was over. Kind of like hitting a big pile of dog doo with a souped up weed eater. It was quick. I heard the motor over wind and looked over my shoulder to see what was up. Something was up alright…the big Merc had come off the transom and was moving left and right. Then she just fell over and joined me and Roy in the boat. There was just enough room for it to fit between us. It died instantly with the skeg and prop hanging over the transom and the power head laying on the back of the seat. Someone pulled us to shore and the motor rode all the way home in that position . We were lucky that day. When we arrived back home I got a lecture on bolting motors down and I haven’t forgotten it.
Jerry Lindamood (and Roy)
