Outboard Motor Cart/Lifting Device

[SeniorProject]

I'm a senior in a mechanical engineering senior design class and we are designing a product which would transport, lift and lower, and allow maintenance access for large outboard motors that a person could use by themselves. To help us design an ideal product, we have a few questions:

1.) What size outboard motors do you use?
2.) How often is it used? Is it stored during the winter?
3.) How is it moved & positioned on/off boat? How many people are needed?
4.) Have you ever used a cart for moving/storage? How does the cart work? Does it work well?
5.) What other features should a cart have?
6.) Would a mechanism build into a moveable cart which moves the motor up and down to help with attachment to the boat be desirable?
7.) Would it be worthwhile to be able to perform maintenance on the motor while it is still attached to the cart/lifting device?
8.) How much would you be willing to spend on this product?
9.) What size would this device optimally be?
10.) Any additional desired functions?

Any and all responses are appreciated!!

 

[lakelover]

Re: Outboard Motor Cart/Lifting Device

I'll start the ball rolling with my own experience. I use three diifferent size motors, 9.9, 20 & 50 hp. The 9.9 is light and moved by hand, stored on a motor dolly; the 20 has never been off the boat and probably never will be while I own it; and I put the 50 on the boat during a rebuild, and there it will stay probably "forever". I only did that because I was rebuilding the boat, if I hadn't done that, I probably would never have removed/changed any larger engines (200+ lb). I have to admit it was't real easy handling it alone, but my budget would not have allowed spending on such a device for one use.

I guess my point is that if you hope to design these for the general public, I doubt there would be anough profit margin to make it successful because the market would be so small. I believe the average, every day boat owner "never" removes his outboard. If you're thinking of your market being boat/motor repair facilities, I believe such devices already exist. If you would be able to make improvements in a current design, then you might be onto something, I don't know. Maybe a mechanic with experience in commercial repair will chime in.

As far as actual design, I think your questions are good. Good luck.