Big old outboard, no power tilt. How would you get it out of the water?

[jeff_smith_0423]

Hello all...

I have not had my current boat in the water yet, so i'm running down all the variables before an early march launch.

One of my last concerns is lowering and lifting my non-power tilt motor. It weighs close to 250 lbs. I'm able to move it up and down on my own while it's on the trailer, but that's got a lot of artificial stability since it's out of water. I can't, for the life of me, figure out how i'm going to get it out of the water by myself. Combined with the tiny one-inch lock lever that will have to be flipped, I don't know what i'm going to do.

Anybody out there have some suggestions? A CMC unit is in my plans, but not for this year.

 

[rndn]

Re: Big old outboard, no power tilt. How would you get it out of the water?

There are some levers available for just such applications. I've never used one so maybe someone on here who has used one can tell you how they perform. The lever attaches over the top of the outboard.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Big old outboard, no power tilt. How would you get it out of the water?

Launch and retrieve the boat with the motor down. I do the same thing with mine for the same reason. While my engine is smaller and I can tilt it from inside of the boat, I really don't need to. Just don't use the tilt feature of your trailer, if it has tilt, because that may cause the rear of the boat to drop and drag the skeg.

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: Big old outboard, no power tilt. How would you get it out of the water?

Launch and retrieve the boat with the motor down. I do the same thing with mine for the same reason. While my engine is smaller and I can tilt it from inside of the boat, I really don't need to. Just don't use the tilt feature of your trailer, if it has tilt, because that may cause the rear of the boat to drop and drag the skeg.

I'm certainly going to try. Right now i've only got about three inches of clearance between the skeg and the ground when it's on the hitch... I'll just have to get somebody to keep a good eye on it during the first launch. I could probably get a few more inches by raising the bunks on the trailer up a tad.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Big old outboard, no power tilt. How would you get it out of the water?

When in the water if it has a manual lock down you could release it and have an assistant put it in reverse to get it started.I think they have a tilt lock that can be set and will lock as it reaches full tilt.That lock can be released and will trip when raising the motor to release it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Big old outboard, no power tilt. How would you get it out of the water?

Jeff what motor is it. hp and year?

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: Big old outboard, no power tilt. How would you get it out of the water?

Jeff what motor is it. hp and year?

1977 Mercury 850, 85hp. Long shaft, 245 lbs dry weight according to NADA.

 

[Jack Daniels]

Re: Big old outboard, no power tilt. How would you get it out of the water?

It shouldnt be a problem, you might be surprised. I just put a leg on the transom and pull hard, i can get it up relatively easy. This method works but i have to have the wife lock it in place for me. My outboard weighs about the same as yours. After doing it once, i got the knack of it and now i have no problems. Just give it a shot and see how hard it is.

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: Big old outboard, no power tilt. How would you get it out of the water?

It shouldnt be a problem, you might be surprised. I just put a leg on the transom and pull hard, i can get it up relatively easy. This method works but i have to have the wife lock it in place for me. My outboard weighs about the same as yours. After doing it once, i got the knack of it and now i have no problems. Just give it a shot and see how hard it is.

Yeah.. i'm sure with a second person, it wouldn't be an issue. My girlfriend has absolutely no nautical sense, a slight fear of anything greasy, and i don't trust her with anything of mine mechanical. So, the logistics of doing everything by myself is what the biggest concern is. I certainly don't have the patience to teach her how to drive a stick OR back the boat down the ramp.

I see you're from Indianapolis.. So am I.. Where do you put in at ? I'm considering geist for the shakedown, and then Lieber State Rec Area and maybe raccoon lake for fishing..

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Big old outboard, no power tilt. How would you get it out of the water?

I'm with Jack D on this one, my 67 Rude is a 70Hp 4 cyl. I can get it back like you say one leg up and a big pull rear and up, there is a shock absorber that almost holds it up by itself once you get it tilted back. It's sorta like putting my 1100 v65 magna up on it's centerstand, once you get the knack it just gets easier.

 

[F_R]

Re: Big old outboard, no power tilt. How would you get it out of the water?

Launching with the motor down is a good way to bend the gearcase in some motors, thinking especially about the early V-4 OMCs with the slim gearcase. You'll know it's bent when the drive shaft snaps in two. Yeah, I know, the Merc is tougher--they say.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Big old outboard, no power tilt. How would you get it out of the water?

With only 3 inches of clearance i would not be backing it in with the motor down!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Big old outboard, no power tilt. How would you get it out of the water?

is you trailer level when connected to tow vehicle. if not get a drop drawbar.

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Big old outboard, no power tilt. How would you get it out of the water?

Went through the same thing for years. Buddy had a 70 HP Merc (1978) with no trim/tilt. He bought one of those levers made to tilt up large outboards and never had a problem. The arm is plenty long enough to give you the leverage you need to do the job. It folded down for easy storage also. Don't know where he bought it though.
Nightstalker

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: Big old outboard, no power tilt. How would you get it out of the water?

Yep.. trailer is level to the truck. I looked around for the lever device but couldn't find one rated for more than 40hp.. that number is probably bull, and shouldn't matter worth a stink, but ordering it online and then finding it won't work will be a hassle. I really need to find a decent marina around here.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Big old outboard, no power tilt. How would you get it out of the water?

Get the lever...it's worth the cost, especially if you want to avoid or have already had rotator cuff surgery. Your Merc 850 isn't much heavier than the 70 hp or the Merc 500 50 hp, just two extra in-line cylinders. The lever works off leverage. If you can find a good photo of one online, you can probably make one out of pipe and fittings and a couple of rubber feets. I used one on my Merc 500 years ago and it was like lifting nothing, thanks to the leverage involved.

 

[F_R]

Re: Big old outboard, no power tilt. How would you get it out of the water?

http://www.iboats.com/Motor_Tilter/...59353851--list_time.1201050596--view_id.38002
It does say up to 40hp, but I don't know why. We used them all the time on the old OMC V4s

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: Big old outboard, no power tilt. How would you get it out of the water?

i'd be willing to bet that newer four stroke 40 hp outboards weigh pretty close to the 250 lbs i'm looking at anyways.. i'll probably get one ordered

 

[Jack Daniels]

Re: Big old outboard, no power tilt. How would you get it out of the water?

With the pull bar you should be more than fine lifting it. I am actually from the Noblesville area so i put in at moorse and giest alot. I love to fish but dont know of many places around here to fish, i usually just make a trip up to MI on the weekends with my buddies. Where is raccoon lake? Is it easy to get there from indy? Thanks

 

[HondaPower]

Re: Big old outboard, no power tilt. How would you get it out of the water?

Has anyone out there tried a CMC PT130 power trim. I have an 85 50HP Mariner without power trim and that is what I am looking at $620 to my door taxes in but it should really make my life a lot easier. Can find lots of good reviews on retail sites but don't trust them as far as I can throw them. Anyone know anything about these units and have any comments.