How Do I Remove Outboard Off The Beach

[sasto]

A Sherriff friend notified me yesterday about a drug boat that washed ashore. She has a new Yamaha Outboard that weighs appx. 500 lbs. on her in excellent condition. I need to move it about a quarter mile down the beach, up 6 flights of stairs, across a small boardwalk, and back down the stairs.....and she is mine.

How is the best way to accomplish this?

Thanks for all imput!

 

[robert graham]

Re: How Do I Remove Outboard Off The Beach

Maybe one of these small working tug boat/barges, the kind they use to sink pilings and build docks....they have good lifting capacity and mobility and are accustomed to working in and around the water. Guy might do the entire move for a flat fee of say, $500 or similar...any of these guys in your area?....what kinda shape is the boat in?

 

[sasto]

Re: How Do I Remove Outboard Off The Beach

Maybe one of these small working tug boat/barges, the kind they use to sink pilings and build docks....they have good lifting capacity and mobility and are accustomed to working in and around the water. Guy might do the entire move for a flat fee of say, $500 or similar...any of these guys in your area?....what kinda shape is the boat in?

Thanks for the reply, Robert.

The boat is in pretty rough shape now. She is sitting mid tide in some rough surf. I don't want the boat, just the motor. Anyway, the seas are just to rough to have anyone safely float her off the beach. The beach is pretty secluded with no access for a vehicle. Looks like we must do this by manpower.

 

[jsimms724]

Re: How Do I Remove Outboard Off The Beach

Post a pic of the surrounding area and terrain, there are some really smart folks on this site that think outside the box.

 

[sasto]

Re: How Do I Remove Outboard Off The Beach

Post a pic of the surrounding area and terrain, there are some really smart folks on this site that think outside the box.

How correct you are, jsimms.

I'm under the gun on this one and have no pics. I am removing the motor today after the tide recedes. The sandy beach is pretty well compacted. I'm thinking a sheet of plywood under and pull it with a couple lines. My delima is how to get it up the short flight of steps. I can get some manpower. I don't know how to carry it.

Wonder if I could use a dolly or hand truck??? I know somebody has done this!

 

[lncoop]

Re: How Do I Remove Outboard Off The Beach

Since you're already thinking of a plywood sled why not carpet one side of the plywood so it will slide more easily then secure the motor to the plywood with any of a number of strap or cable configurations and slide the whole thing up the stairs? For example, you could drill two holes in the top of the plywood to run heavy duty ropes through for pulling, then cut six equidistant (approximately) slots in the plywood and run cable around three places on the outboard into turnbuckles on the back of the plywood. Then snug 'er down and get after it.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: How Do I Remove Outboard Off The Beach

High school football team with free pizza offered after the job.

 

[halfmoa]

Re: How Do I Remove Outboard Off The Beach

^^^ that and a couple of old water skis screwed to the bottom may reduce drag on the sand.

I'm thinking a refrigerator cart with a rachet strap to get it up stairs. 500 lbs is a lot, not so much that a few stout men couldn't move it but it may be more that the stairs can handle....just keep that in mind.

 

[matt167]

Re: How Do I Remove Outboard Off The Beach

I would build a cradle that can be strapped tight to the hand truck. Few 2x4's,that go down to the foot on the hand truck, and basicly build a smaller version of an outboard stand. Then just ratchet strap it tight. You should be able to get it across the beach and up the stairs with little issue

 

[robert graham]

Re: How Do I Remove Outboard Off The Beach

This would be that perfect job for a small lifting helicopter with a strap...pick it up, set it down where you want it....maybe google around for one?...they use them to put A/C units on top of buildings. Chopper might cost you a few bucks for "1 hour of flying time", but he'd get it done without tearing up the motor or anyone getting hurt!...Check the local airport...he'll know who to call!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: How Do I Remove Outboard Off The Beach

You have a number of engineering challenges and also major safety concerns if any of your rigging fails; above all, be safe. That includes just lifting at ground level.

I hope the 5 flights of stairs are a series and not a 5 storey lift--although if so, a crane , backhoe or other lift device may be what you need. Anyway, you can get it off the boat then leave it at the steps for another set of adventures.

Don't underestimate removing the motor. You will need some way to lift, even slightly to remove pressure to back it out, adn the foot will be dug in the sand. And the position the motor is in now (tilted or down) is what you will deal with; after a couple tide cycles it's sanded in solid, most likely. You may have some digging to do, too. You have to disconnect steering, etc. Bring a hack saw!

I've never done this, but would it be worth it to disconnect from the bracket and leave the bracket behind for another time?

But once it's off, seems like dragging a plywood sled is the best bet, at least to get it to dry sand. Consider a big sheet of solid plastic or sheet metal if you have one, that will slide better than wood, or lay the plywood on a plastic tarp and drag it. Carpet won't slide on sand with 500# on top of it. Borrow the 2 man sled from the football team.

Forget wheels.

Consider a good block and tackle rig, but you need to anchor it: tie to steps? Bury a big boat anchor?

Alternative, if the surf allows: drag a small boat out there; remove the motor and flop it into the boat; walk it down the beach when the tide comes in to an accessible place for a pick-up. Jon boat, 12' fiberglass, zodiac? You're going to have to lift the motor out there anyway to get started on whatever rig you have.

And after you get to the top step, you get to hand it over to the Federal marshalls assigned to seize and sell the drug runner's assets. He will be most grateful. (Do not attempt to use the "law of salvage" or worse, listen to the advice about what it says and how it applies).

And SASTO stands for....

 

[oldman570]

Re: How Do I Remove Outboard Off The Beach

A piece of old roofing tin and long rope will get the job done better than plywood as it will slide easy the sand. Long rope hooked to a truck and 4x4's at the top of the bank for the rope to slide on and attach the motor to the tin with blots thru the tin and some chain to hold the motor on to the tin will get the job done or use a small dingy inplace of the tin. If using a dingy put the rope thru the grab handles on the back of it and completely around the dingy so the total weight will be on the transom and not on the front eye that could pull out.
It's called rocket science.
Oldman570

 

[ajgraz]

Re: How Do I Remove Outboard Off The Beach

Maybe take it apart and haul it off in three pieces: powerhead, LU, and mid-unit/bracket

 

[lncoop]

Re: How Do I Remove Outboard Off The Beach

Teleport it.

 

[steelespike]

Re: How Do I Remove Outboard Off The Beach

There is a 2 wheeled dolly with a power lift they use to move vending machines.
I saw a 60 year old man demonstrate one. By himself he moved a fully loaded Coke machine of and down a flight of stairs.
Quite amazing.If you can get the motor on one and someone that knows how to use it.
Also years ago after 6 guys tried to get an upright piano down 3 stories 4 flights of stairs 3 corners in a big old house.
A friend and I did it with a come along and some boards. Including getting it on and off a truck and down a flight of stairs at the end.
A come along and a lot of rope you might be able just drag it to the steps. A piece of plywood on the stairs with the motor on it
To slide up the stairs it would seem like about half the weight.

 

[jsimms724]

Re: How Do I Remove Outboard Off The Beach

I wish could be of some help here, but I got nuthin. please post your progress and results as I am finding this thread really interesting.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: How Do I Remove Outboard Off The Beach

Cordless sawsall will make short removal work! Cut it and lay it on a plywood sled or dolly ......... too bad I am so far away....my atv would tow that w/o problem

 

[82rude]

Re: How Do I Remove Outboard Off The Beach

i will take the lower unit end you take the powerhead end if you drop your end going up the stairs im going to be peeved off. good luck cant wait to see how this is done.me and a friend lifted my 90 rude off my boat and put it in the garage but thats only 300 lbs.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: How Do I Remove Outboard Off The Beach

Hi SASTO. Congrats on the possible new toy! Too good to pass up. Almost as nice as catching one of those "Square Groupers" that wash up around here from time to time I'd come help you myself, if I was closer. I think you've got the right idea with a dolly, but the tires are probably too skinny to make it through the sand. It may be worth it to simple build a cradle out of PVC/EMT and use some cheap wheel barrow tires, or something like that. Kind of like the PVC surf fishing carts folks use on the east coats. It would only need to last for the one trip, but you could probably slap one together for under $40. Keep us posted!!!

 

[Willyclay]

Re: How Do I Remove Outboard Off The Beach

Use the sheets of plywood for a temporary path to roll a PWC trailer down to the water. When the motor is on the trailer, "leapfrog" the plywood to stay ahead of the trailer. You might need somebody like "Two Guys and a Truck" to get that beast up those stairs. Good luck!