So when I go down for a day out, my family have complained about the stink that the tender outboard makes in the boot of our SUV. Especially if I forget to close the valve on the cap and fuel leaks out. One day I have to admit it was completely over-powering and my eyes were watering even with all the windows wound down.

I couldnt find a solution online so I made this bracket that fits inside the towbar of my X-trail which holds the 3hp outboard and a 5L fuel tank. Its probably the correct orientation to transport an outboard anyway. Its pretty handy when the family comes along, cause it also saves room for luggage in the boot. When its just me I dont use it.

The one downside is that for the conventional SUV boot, it cant be opened so I unload the gear from the boot by folding down one of the passenger seats. Not a big deal really.

I have since had it galvanised for durability.

Thoughts?

I think the idea is great, and there may be a limited market.

But...

In your photo it looks like the left hand brake light is obstructed (it may just be the photo). And if you can find a way to hinge the bracket so it could either swing away or down from the tailgate then it would be better. People don't want go buy a product then need a work-around for it to work.

I would've been interested a year or so back

I have carried mine the same way on a tow bar mounted bike rack, works fine although without the fuel container.

That will be handy when you cried your next flooded creek

I close the tank vent and fuel tap and put it in the car. It doesn't leak or smell.
I reckon you need to explain why anybody needs this?

I like the idea, but unfortunately you can't carry a flammable liquid like petrol on your bumper bar. Imagine if someone rear ended your car? Everything could potentially go up in flames. You might have to carry the fuel on the roof.

I've seen outboards replace the 2nd spare wheel on LandCruiser and patrols but as noted the fuel there is a no no.
A good idea that is easily copied unfortunately if you want to sell them. I guess someone on Alibaba would do a production run cheaply and incorporate a licence plate holder for instance but I suspect they'd do your run and a few extra and undercut you even with a patent. I've got no experience just assumptions.
As long as it works for you.

I seem to remember early Land Rovers carrying a jerry can in a holder on the rear door. The spare tyre was on the bonnet.

and the axe was mounted to the mudguard Sam

Great to see you back online HG

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HG02 said..
and the axe was mounted to the mudguard Sam

Haha, I think you're absolutely right HG....really nice to hear from you old mate.

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samsturdy said..
I seem to remember early Land Rovers carrying a jerry can in a holder on the rear door. The spare tyre was on the bonnet.

Diesel can be carried at the rear as it's not as combustible as petrol. Many 4x4s carry diesel jerry cans at the rear. I doubt anyone would ever get pulled over to check the contents of a jerry can but for safety's sake I'd keep my petrol somewhere else.

There may be a market for it, but it would be a much easier track to patent the idea and sell it to a rack manufacturer. If you try to sell it yourself, you'll have to have all kinds of warranties and insurances.

Not everyone's small outboard has a perfectly sealing fuel cap. I can't get a seal for mine and I have to make one on a regular basis..... It does stink the car for a day or so, even just with the fumes.

Hehe good to see some thoughts stimulated. Well I wasn't really going to pursue a patent or anything, just maybe a job lot for other yachties looking to keep their Mrs happy. Or less grumpy.

The fuel can risk is a valid one. Probably better off keeping the can in the boot.

The hinge is also valid. I was going to make it rotate to allow the boot to open but I considered that it would introduce too much movement and i wanted it to be rigid. Maybe if I do gen 2

Last time I took the 9.9 4 stroke for service they said the oil had leaked into the carbie because we hadn't transported it correctly and therefore charged an extra $100 for a carbie clean out. Which I thought was a lot but I have no basis to argue. So next time I'll bring it to them upright.

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FelixdeCat said..
Last time I took the 9.9 4 stroke for service they said the oil had leaked into the carbie because we hadn't transported it correctly and therefore charged an extra $100 for a carbie clean out. Which I thought was a lot but I have no basis to argue. So next time I'll bring it to them upright.

4-strokes usually have only one side that it is safe to lie them on...