How do YOU change your outboard height?

[Circles47]

I'm thinking about raising my 125 hp Merc outboard 1 bolt hole, and am wondering how the best way is to do it? This motor is almost 6 feet tall and 375 lbs, and I'll prob be doing it myself. The last thing I want to is end up with a motor laying on the concrete, or worse yet, me under it.

I figure there are lots of ppl on here who have raised/lowered their outboards, so.....any tips?

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: How do YOU change your outboard height?

I use an engine hoist.

 

[Bondo]

Re: How do YOU change your outboard height?

I'm thinking about raising my 125 hp Merc outboard 1 bolt hole, and am wondering how the best way is to do it? This motor is almost 6 feet tall and 375 lbs, and I'll prob be doing it myself. The last thing I want to is end up with a motor laying on the concrete, or worse yet, me under it.

I figure there are lots of ppl on here who have raised/lowered their outboards, so.....any tips?

Ayuh,... Get a proper lifting ring, 'n lift from the Top of the motor....

Otherwise, you'll get what ya Don't want, layin' on the floor...

 

[Circles47]

Re: How do YOU change your outboard height?

Ayuh,... Get a proper lifting ring, 'n lift from the Top of the motor....

Otherwise, you'll get what ya Don't want, layin' on the floor...

This lifting ring screws into the top of the flywheel?

This is the thread that recommends I lift my motor....does everyone agree?

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=551473

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: How do YOU change your outboard height?

Yes. I borrowed one from local marine dealer. Left $50 deposit. Got $50 back when returned.

 

[mommicked]

Re: How do YOU change your outboard height?

Be carefull lifting the " tower of power "

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: How do YOU change your outboard height?

If you have a garage or solid structure to hang the motor from, Position the boat under the support structure, Lower the trailer tongue as far as possible and attach the motor to the structure via the lifting ring. Unbolt the motor, raise the tongue to the appropriate level and rebolt the motor to the transom.

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: How do YOU change your outboard height?

If you have a garage or solid structure to hang the motor from, Position the boat under the support structure, Lower the trailer tongue as far as possible and attach the motor to the structure via the lifting ring. Unbolt the motor, raise the tongue to the appropriate level and rebolt the motor to the transom.

I have a slight mod to your method that I use. Block the trailer tires on both sides front and back. Block up the engine under the skeg and then all you need to do is tie it off from above. You really do need to tie it off from above so if it gets away from you it won't go very far but you don't need the tie off point to support the entire engine weight.

 

[Circles47]

Re: How do YOU change your outboard height?

Do I need to re-apply marine grade silicone around each of the new bolt locations?

 

[NYBo]

Re: How do YOU change your outboard height?

Do I need to re-apply marine grade silicone around each of the new bolt locations?

Yes.

 

[Circles47]

Re: How do YOU change your outboard height?

Can I ask why you believe you need to raise it?

Sure, Bubba. I started a thread a couple of weeks ago under "prop questions", because I was certain that I wasn't getting all the speed I could with my 125 hp outboard. With lots of excellent advice, and 2 S/S props later, the boat was performing more to my expectations. But the conversation has shifted to motor height, and after researching it on my own, and taking into consideration an aluminum hull, I think I could stand to raise it one bolt hole.

Long story short.......I'm a normal guy, and want as much power/speed as I can get! Actually, you'd have to read the thread to fully understand the whole story. It's referenced in this thread.

 

[skibrain]

Re: How do YOU change your outboard height?

I have done this with a on a OMC V4 with a floor jack under the skeg.
Block trailer wheels or have it hitched to vehicle.

DO NOT REMOVE ALL FOUR MOUNTING BOLTS!

On my OMC one set of holes on the outboard were slotted, the other had to be removed. I just loosening the slotted ones then I could slide the motor up and retighten everything with no risk of dropping motor. Raising motor 3/4" gained me 4 mph.

If the Merc brackets are all separate holes without slots, this would not work.

 

[5150abf]

Re: How do YOU change your outboard height?

I only have a 50 but is still too much to lift, I have used skibrains method and also used a ratchet strap on a joist in the garage, both work really well.

I agree, up and out, it is kind of a pain to keep messing with but raising the engine is the easiest way to get free speed, I would take it all the way up and run it, if it blows out to easily drop it hole until you find the sweet spot.

On mine it will only cavitate in corners but you get used to droppng the trim when you turn and don't even think about it after awhile, I went up 2 holes on mine and got 6 mph, I doubt all of that was from raising the engine, more likely some was wind and current but none the less it was a big jump for an hours work.

 

[Circles47]

Re: How do YOU change your outboard height?

Well, thanks for all the info and advice. I ordered a lifting ring and a chain hoist. May as well do it right. I am wondering though, do I need to disconnect the steering cable, or can I leave it attached if I'm careful?

 

[BlkY2k]

Re: How do YOU change your outboard height?

If you are going to use the rafters in your garage too do this, I would recommend sliding a 8" 4x4 across the the rafters so that the load is spread out across more than one rafter and lift from the 4x4. I lift car engines in my garage this way. I try to place the 4x in the bottom of were the webs come together.

 

[Circles47]

Re: How do YOU change your outboard height?

If you are going to use the rafters in your garage too do this, I would recommend sliding a 8" 4x4 across the the rafters so that the load is spread out across more than one rafter and lift from the 4x4. I lift car engines in my garage this way.

My shop actually has attic truss made from 2 x 10 on 24" center, and I have a treated 6 x 6 I was going to use across several of them. The only thing I'm not sure about, is how to hook the chain hoist to it, as the bottom side is finished with OSB, and I was hoping to leave the hook up point there permanently. I don't want it to look cobbed up!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: How do YOU change your outboard height?

Have you considered having your boat weighed to make sure you're not hauling and a bunch of waterlogged foam that will slow you down?

Do you know how to operate the power tilt and trim for more speed?

Are you prepared to buy trim tabs when your boat won't perform right after the lift?

If you don't plug and seal your bolt holes properly we'll be seeing you in the restoration forum with a rotten transom.

Is your motor at the factory installed height right now? Did you buy this boat new or used?

 

[Circles47]

Re: How do YOU change your outboard height?

Have you considered having your boat weighed to make sure you're not hauling and a bunch of waterlogged foam that will slow you down?

Do you know how to operate the power tilt and trim for more speed?

Are you prepared to buy trim tabs when your boat won't perform right after the lift?

If you don't plug and seal your bolt holes properly we'll be seeing you in the restoration forum with a rotten transom.

Is your motor at the factory installed height right now? Did you buy this boat new or used?

The boat isn't waterlogged. It has always been stored inside since new, tilted up, and plug out. Besides, changing from an aluminum to S/S prop took me from 16% slip to 6% slip. A boat with 6% slip probably isn't waterlogged.

Yes on the power trim/tilt, not my first boat.

Negative on the trim tabs.....if it performs that badly, I'll drop the motor back down where it was.

Planning on sealing holes with marine grade silicone, but there shouldn't be new holes.

Motor is at the dealer installed height right now, as the original motor was upgraded from a 115hp. I'm the second owner.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: How do YOU change your outboard height?

Use 4200 on holes.

Putting a ratchet strap around the motor hooked to your stern eyes will keep it from falling over.

Some idiot put the steering tube in backwards when re assembling my V4. ( yep that's me)

So I just stuck some wood under the skeg, ran a strap off the hooks and jacked the trailer up until the weight was on the wood. It was easy, way easier than I thought when I was standing there wondering how could I make such a silly mistake.

You should be able to do the same basically to yours.

 

[BlkY2k]

Re: How do YOU change your outboard height?

My shop actually has attic truss made from 2 x 10 on 24" center, and I have a treated 6 x 6 I was going to use across several of them. The only thing I'm not sure about, is how to hook the chain hoist to it, as the bottom side is finished with OSB, and I was hoping to leave the hook up point there permanently. I don't want it to look cobbed up!

I would cut a small door opening, run some 1x around the top of the opening. Some cabinet hinges and a latch and voila. leave the hook up mounted and just open the door when you need it. I`m getting ready to sheet in my garage myself, just have to finish running cat5 and a few more boxs for lights.