Moving a 85 hp evinrude

[bishopcherrycoke]

Hey there folks. I want to move my motor up a few holes higher to hopefully get a little better performance. If I can't find a few big friends, does anybody think it's a bad idea to put a floor jack on the fin and just jack it up? Thoughts anybody??

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Moving a 85 hp evinrude

Well...... Do it under a tree so you have the motor tied off to something. Yes you can move it up/down with a floor jack and a bock of wood however....... you have 300 lbs so go slow.

I would go to tractor supply and buy a ratchet come along (they have cable ones or strap ones) and use a tree to lift from or a main beam in a garage.

Any friends with an engine hoist?

Any friends who operate a forklift at a business?

I have used all of the above suggestions.

I would not lift the anti ventilation plate any higher then 1 to 1 1/2 inches above the keel. Do not expect that much performance change and watch your water intake.

 

[sutor623]

Re: Moving a 85 hp evinrude

Hey there folks. I want to move my motor up a few holes higher to hopefully get a little better performance. If I can't find a few big friends, does anybody think it's a bad idea to put a floor jack on the fin and just jack it up? Thoughts anybody??

You got any pics? What exactly are you trying to accomplish? How high is the anti-vent plate vs. the bottom of the boat?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Moving a 85 hp evinrude

Build a 2X4 frame to support the A-V plate and gearcase. Now Loosen the mounting bolts (remove the ones that do not adjust) and jack up the trailer tongue a bit and the motor will lift.

 

[bishopcherrycoke]

Re: Moving a 85 hp evinrude

Sorry, no pics. I can snap some if interested. The anti ventilation plate is just under the keel. From what I read it should be 1/2-1 inch above. Moving the motor up 2 inches will put me right there. It's by no means a performance boat but 40 mph in a 16 foot boat jumping waves is a blast. I would like to get a little more speed. I'm also going to take the hydro fins off and see what difference that makes. Thank you for all the great ideas.

 

[sutor623]

Re: Moving a 85 hp evinrude

Bishop, what boat is this on?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Moving a 85 hp evinrude

I had an 85 on a 15' boat and my best speed was 41 mph by gps. Do not expect too much more and as asked above allot depends on the hull.

 

[bishopcherrycoke]

Re: Moving a 85 hp evinrude

Its a 1975 checkmate mx 16. The boat weighs about 720 pounds plus 300 for the motor.

 

[bishopcherrycoke]

Re: Moving a 85 hp evinrude

I can hit 39 mph gps with a full tank and 2 people in the boat. Even loaded with 5 people it will do 34 mph.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Moving a 85 hp evinrude

Has it ever been restored? They are very prone to striinger and transom problems from that era! You might be hauling 300 lbs of wetness around............

 

[bishopcherrycoke]

Re: Moving a 85 hp evinrude

I'm not sure if it's ever been "fully" restored. The floor and stringers are rock hard. The transom is unknown. The glass on both sides look to be in good shape however there is a 2x4 wrapped in fiberglass on the inside of the transom. It definitely looks like somebody either replaced the whole transom and added that or just added the 2x4 as a band aide. I say that because the fiberglass work doesn't match anything else on the boat. I would love to replace the transom just for my own piece of mind but if it came to that I would probably just upgrade to something a little newer.