How to save my back from the 156 pound outboard...

[Pack Rat]

I think I got it boys. Took me awhile but the lift table will meet all my needs. This is a one minute video on my youtube account showing the Mercury 25hp on the table right next to the work bench where I bolted its stand to.

http://youtu.be/4fkw-fZFDeY

I needed something for three area's where I didn't want to have to man handle 156 pounds with my poor back muscles:

1) outboard motor stand
2) pickup or trailer
3) boat transom

The video shows me lowering the OB to 11" and raising it to 33" and sliding it up to the stand atached to a work bench. The homemade wood cradle is the key. It comes in three detachable simple parts.

1) fake transom
2) 2x8's bolted to outboard bracket
3) 2x4 stabilizers with a channel cut down them for the lower unit fins. Prevents the motor from tilting left or right suddenly which might pitch it off the lift table.

All I need is a little tweaking, mainly attaching the OB cradle frame to the table. I'm really excited over this little invention. I found out pretty fast I didn't need the deluxe lift table I got. The basic model they had for half the price would have worked fine.

Stay tuned for more pictures/video's of the contraption in use. Got the lift table at "Northern Tool."

 

[abdiver7777]

Re: How to save my back from the 156 pound outboard...

So How do you install it onto the transom?

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: How to save my back from the 156 pound outboard...

Yeap, was wondering that same issue Why don't you lock both sides of anticav plate into a inside carved wooden base placed/bolted on top lifting table. Rise table, center engine, lower table to secure opened clamps on transom and that's it, reverse when removing from transom.

Happy Boating

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: How to save my back from the 156 pound outboard...

Exactly Sea Rider. What I call the fake transom (number 1) is a snug fit and its sole purpose is to provide a little more stability of balancing the OB on the table. It slides right on and off.

Originally I only started out with the 2x8's (number 2) and though I could lift and move the OB around on the table it seemed tippy. Adding (number 1 and Number 3) made it rock solid. I think you can see that as I push it around on top of the lift table on the video. Once I bolt the cradle to the table the OB will be very secure in transit.

abdiver7777 I remove the fake transom (number 1) and push the OB up to the edge of table. It drops right down on top of the transom slick as snot as I lower the table.

I'm shooting for Thursday for a field test and will post results.

Here's a couple more close up pictures:

This picture shows the OB on the stand attached to the work bench. It was when I first wondered about utilizing the OB bracket. I cut the 2x8's down to 24" and bring the table right up under the 2x8's. And yes I'll have to bolt these on when I bring the boat out of the water...but it only takes two minutes.

All I can tell you is when I picked this motor up at christmas and brought it into the house it was all I could do not to drop it and get it inside by myself. I realized a 18/20 hp would have been a better option for me. I didn't think an extra 40-50 pounds would make that much difference but it did.

The old Mariner 2 stroke 28 hp I had was only 98 pounds and never a problem hauling it down to the waters edge to the old Zodiac SIB. I actually used to put the OB in the trunk of the car and the boat in the back seat. Life was simple.

 

[azzurro]

Re: How to save my back from the 156 pound outboard...

Brilliant!

 

[emoney]

Re: How to save my back from the 156 pound outboard...

That's a really cool motor stand you built there!
But, it might be time for a trailer too to save all that lifting, lol.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: How to save my back from the 156 pound outboard...

Looking at the pics, got the idea right, very cool. Would you need to have the prop removed to place engine on transom, or it's just for better pic looking idea ? Will engine ever be in a complete vertical posiiton ? or at a 45? angle to place and retrieve from transom ? All inventions are welcome to make your boating life easier and to avoid back harm now that we are not that young

Happy Boating

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: How to save my back from the 156 pound outboard...

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: How to save my back from the 156 pound outboard...

cool!

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: How to save my back from the 156 pound outboard...

Would like to see a practical installation. Is your the idea to have a inflated sib with trasnsom rollers placed on a flat surface, place cart next to it to lower engine on top transom for use at a marina boat ramp ?

Happy Boating

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: How to save my back from the 156 pound outboard...

Yes. I'm going set up the SIB in the Marina parking lot and once it's ready slide two dollies under it and lash them down to it. They're 90% wood so they'll float when I'm launched and I'll walk them back up the ramp.

Once the SIB is on the dollie I'll use the lift table to bring the outboard out of the truck bed and lower it perfectly onto the SIB transom. I'll push/pull the SIB and outboard up and down the ramp using the dollies which in theory should be pretty stable.

I was able to move them in the driveway which is gravel and sloped, pushing around the SIB on just one dollie. The asphalt/concrete parking lot/ramp should be about the same after I add the weight of the floor and outboard, but now I'll have two dollies to spread the weight out.

Just for giggles I lifted the SIB up too with the lift table and it balanced fine.

The lift table has also proven itself to be another item to deal with. The plan was to not use a trailer for various reasons, unfortunately, it became obvious I'm going to have to use my 5x8 cargo trailer so that means modifications will postpone yet again the maiden launch of the "Pack Rat."

Just as well since the outboard has never even been fired up so I'll do that today and can post pictures of the lift table placing the outboard on the trailers tail gate. My heart was set on launching in Lake Superior anyway instead of the stinky ole' Mississippi River. I think this picture from 2008 shows why.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: How to save my back from the 156 pound outboard...

If sib will be inflated/deflated often for anyday boating, why don't you install transom wheels and forget all about wooden dollies once sib is on boat ramp; just grab front Super D'ring/Handle with raised engine secured on transom to balance better for launch/retrieve to/from sea and complete your final take home procedure.

Happy Boating

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: How to save my back from the 156 pound outboard...

I may have too...to cut back on bulk. And a boat trailer is not out the question next year or so since I have to use one now anyway. At least I got the engine fired up today (first time) and I've enclosed a few pics of the table lift mounting the engine on the trailer. It worked very slick.

I'm determined for Lake Superior next weekend...!!

This next picture is just before I lower it. You can see it's shoved up tight. Oh and I'm not hauling the OB down the highway like that...it's just for maintenance and flushing. She's going in the truck bed, lashed down against tipping.

And here's the outboard fired up for the 1st time on the trailer. She ran sweet. I think it's going to be a quiet one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-N4a23Mero

 

[riverandocean]

Re: How to save my back from the 156 pound outboard...

Great ideas Packrat.

I too had to come up with a system to install and remove a 175 pound motor, both at home and on the road. I came up with a hoist that attaches to the truck (or garage) and I use transom wheels on my boat when not using the boat trailer.

Here is my lift just getting set up attached to the truck.

Here it is being used at home attached to the garage to install the motor with the boat on a trailer. The hoist is a simple block and tackle setup, and the hoist block rolls along the 2x4 using roller blade wheels found at a free store.

I have looked at the Harbor Freight truck hoists like this one
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-ton-capacity-pickup-truck-crane-1647.html

Just sharing other ideas for future readers.

Good work on your lift packrat.

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: How to save my back from the 156 pound outboard...

I remember finding your post riverandocean as I searched the archives. I still might try the truck bed mini-crane but use it in the reciever.

I loved the Splitzlift but the price is out of my league.

 

[Pack Rat]

Re: How to save my back from the 156 pound outboard...

1st launch with it and it all went according to plan. Hauled the OB in the truck bed, lashed it down so it wouldn't slide forward or backward and cushioned it good on both sides in case it did go over.

The dollies worked (floated) but need some tweaking, mainly bigger wheels. The ramp concrete had some heaving on it creating a couple lips that required lifting coming up the ramp.