Trying to get a feel for the off-shore mounts offered in the market.
Looking for anybodys experience with installation as well as the difference it might have made in the handling of the hull. Are they difficult to install?
Thanks. Going into a Formula
Sheikman

sterndrivespec had one for sale. I was interested but it wouldn't work on my boat. Let me know what you find out. I woudl iek to replace the one sin my boat cus they are funky and rusted and old. But i want soemthign easy to install and hopefully bolts thru the stringer as opposed to my current setup where it bolts ontop of the stringer

I'm in the middle of changing mine right now. I purchased Gill mounts. The price is right but they don't bolt directly to the block,instead they have a stud that would replace the adjustable rubber mount from Merc. I would say in my case it is a O.k. choice but if you had to buy the bolt to the block piece from Merc and your angle aluminum you might be better off shopping for the traditional style.

give tres martin at tres martin offshore a call. the ones like cigarette uses are cool and mount thru the stringers. the mount is actually a saddle that bolts directly to the three holes on either side of your block and then they mount to angle brackets thru bolted to your stringers

I'm in the process of putting an offshore mount in my Formula also. I ended up going with Mercruisers mount on advise from a friend (who is a boat mechanic). It's a heavy cast iron piece that mounts directly to the block (triangle bolt pattern) and across the stingers with L brackets. Does seem to be sturdy and well made though. It was around $180.

I also am installing an offshore mount in my Checkmate. This coming weekend, matter of fact. I bought the standard Merc front mount. My stringers are very close together so Im going to cut down the overall width of the Merc mount to fit between. Then thru bolt aluminum L angle to the stringer on the inside, with flat aluminum on the outside under the nuts. Im using all 1/2" SS bolts.

The only thing that I think is a little tough about this job is that you need to set the mount correctly so your engine/drive alignment is right on the money. I have a broken(junk) 502 block that Im using to set the alignment.

Hope this helps, Eric