MJ Sailingvideo
Installing Our Electric Motor System | Milling, Mounts & First Fitting (MJ Sailing - Ep 366)
August 30, 2025 · 25 min · 38K views
What this video covers
Matt and Jessica install an electric motor system in their catamaran by milling a custom coupler and bonding stainless steel engine mounts to the hull. To ensure a vibration-free fit, Matt modifies an off-the-shelf coupler at a machine shop, boring the center hole from 12mm to 25mm using a four-jawed chuck and a precision boring bar.▶ 1:36 After placing the motor, Matt aligns it by centering the unit within 6mm and using feeler gauges to verify the gap between the coupler and the drive shaft.▶ 17:23 He bonds the stainless steel mounts to the engine bed using Total Boat Structural Putty, followed by six layers of 12-ounce fiberglass cloth for permanent reinforcement.▶ 15:36 The project also includes routing ductwork for a 16,000 BTU air conditioning unit and planning the cooling system layout to prevent air bubbles in the heat exchanger.▶ 7:34 Matt emphasizes mounting seawater pumps below the waterline and ensuring all cooling lines maintain an upward slope to allow air to escape naturally.▶ 22:49
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