I RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT MY GARELICK MOTOR BRACKET IS BENDING AND EVENTUALLY WILL DUMP MY YAHAMA 8 HP 4 STROKE KICKER EITHER IN THE DRINK, OR ON THE HIGHWAY. GARELICK'S WARRANTY SUCKS... ITS BEEN TRAILERED WITH THE MOTOR ON SO ITS VOID (EVERY DEALER I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SAYS THIS IS CRAP, NO ONE TAKES THESE HEAVIER KICKERS OFF, THEY'RE WIRED INTO THE BOAT...) THE DEALER I USE SUGGESTS THE OMC BRACKET, BUT ITS $600 PRICE TAG IS MAKING ME CRINGE. I NEED ABOUT 10 INCHES OF SWING TO GET TO THE WATER. ANYONE EXPERIENCED WITH THESE MATTERS AND CAN OFFER SOME ADVICE?

Hey elkrun,

I just went through the same deal. My 8 hp honda ruined the omc bracket in about three years of fairly heavy use. I ended up having a custom, aluminum, fixed bracket welded and installed. Yeah I have to tilt the motor now, but it sure beats taking it off every time. I don't know what kind of transom you have but this was the best solution for me.

I have the Garick, stainless model that is rated for 115 lb outboard, and after 2 years with the F8 Yamaha on it, it is still fine. Which one do you have? I am hoping that you have a different one than I have. I have seen that the newer ones are reinforced by boxing in the two arms to make them stronger.

I had the one rated for 115 pounds first, six months later it cracked the hull on a brand new hewescraft. The people at pacific marine at hoquim said it was the right bracket when they put it on...wrong. ( On they way home from picking up the boat someone waved me over to say my motor was going to come off. it bounced like it was on a trampoline.) They sent it out to be welded and they reinforced the transom inside and out. Then they put on the "bigger' garelick. Its designed for high torque 4 stroke motors supposedly and rated up to 170 pounds... not strong enough. pacific marine isn't doing a thing to help... ya know its a 2 year old boat now.... never mind they put the wrong bracket again! And garelick was even more worthless!

I have the 8 hp 4 stroke with trim and tilt. Its bigger than I wanted, but once again Pacific Marine in Hoquim said they'd make me a deal!!! ya great deal, a 2000 model boat on its 3rd bracket because they dont know what they're doing and dont back their work. They wont even return my calls now. I WAS being nice too! Westside marine in Port Townsend has great customer service and I wish I'd bought my boat there, but they said I'd have to wait 6 months to get one and that would have missed the entire salmon season. Had to deal with Pacific Marine. Anyway, westside says the omc bracket is warrantied even with the motor left on the boat for trailering... I'll be reading the fine print this time.

I hate businesses that dont back their work or product.... I think when you spend top dollar for a boat, they should take care of you when something goes wrong! Or at least return your calls when they say they will.