Power Trim Recommendations Please

[Shosh]

I just purchased a '92 Bayliner Bowrider, 16 ft, with a 70 hp Force motor, and need to install a power trim. It seems that my two options are the CMC Hydraulic Power lift Transom Jack 65002 or the Panther Trim and Tilt 155 -- is there anything else out there I should be looking at? As between these two options, is one better than the other?

Thanks.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Power Trim Recommendations Please

cmc has been around for 50 years, just hate to see you spend more on the system than the motor is worth.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Power Trim Recommendations Please

I hope you understand that CMC make power tilt/trim units as well as jack plates. The model you are looking at is a power jack plate, NOT a power tilt unit. It allows you to LIFT or LOWER the motor in the same manner as you would by unbolting and mounting it higher on the transom. These are typically used on very high performance boats -- which you don't have.

 

[Shosh]

Re: Power Trim Recommendations Please



OK, now I really am confused about what I need.

Here's the thing -- most of the time it is just my 9 yr old daughter and I taking out the boat, or doing so with non-boating friends. I'll admit it -- I'm a weak girl, and I can't trim the motor (not to mention clip it up or down at the same time) by myself -- it's at least a two person operation, and my daughter is no help. So I need to install something -- anything really -- that will make it easier for me to raise and lower the motor and hold it in place. Now, I'd like to be able to do that while boating as well, as we're on a lake with some low water areas, but that's not as essential as being able to raise/lower for putting in and out. So, what *should* I be looking for?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Power Trim Recommendations Please

You are definitely NOT looking for a jack plate. Google or Yahoo "CMC PT130" and you will see the difference between what you were looking at (jack plate) and an "add-on" tilt and trim unit. Again, a jack plate allows adjusting the vertical position of the enigne on the transom -- as in straight up and down to provide optimum performance on high performance boats. A tilt and trim as its name implies, PIVOTS the motor (swings it on its axis) to allow adjusting the boats attitude on plane, or to simply tilt the motor to get you through shallow water.

 

[Shosh]

Re: Power Trim Recommendations Please

OK, got ya ... is the Panther model I listed what I need?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Power Trim Recommendations Please

It appears the Panther 135 is the model you need. Your motor doesn't weigh over 350 pounds. It appears to be more expensive than the CMC unit however. Although some folks swear by Force motors, others swear at them. In view of the fact they are no longer made, parts and service for these motors makes one wonder if investing in excess of $500 - $600 (plus installation costs) is a cost effective solution. Consider selling the Force and buying a newer and more popular outboard that already has power tilt and trim. 70 HP Yamaha, Johnson, Evinrude, and Mercury engines are all very popular, and service and parts readily available both from the dealers as well as after market sources. Even NAPA auto stores can order parts for you.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Power Trim Recommendations Please

It appears the Panther is considerably more expensive than the Panther.

Right here on iBoats = $522.75 - CMC Power Tilt and Trim Kit - PT-130 W/O Gauge Part # 13002

 

[Shosh]

Re: Power Trim Recommendations Please

In view of the fact they are no longer made, parts and service for these motors makes one wonder if investing in excess of $500 - $600 (plus installation costs) is a cost effective solution. Consider selling the Force and buying a newer and more popular outboard that already has power tilt and trim.

Wouldn't a newer motor, including installation, run at least $4-5,000?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Power Trim Recommendations Please

Depends on what brand you buy, what year, and condition. I'm only offering a suggestion. Some folk's ideas on the economics of things is totally different than mine. Look at it this way -- if something happend to that motor that ended it's useful life, you would likely do one of two things: 1) trade the boat with a bad engine for a new/newer one in which case you essentially give away the expensive trim unit, or 2) replace the engine with a new/newer one. In that horsepower class, they have power tilt an trim almost without exception. So that would leave you with an aftermarket tilt and trim unit that you no longer need. Yes -- you could sell it but it would be worth far less than the original investment. Don't forget that your existing engine running is worth far more than if it is non-functional. Just food for thought.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Power Trim Recommendations Please

I believe she could sell the aftermarket trim unit for much closer to what she paid for it that you think. Have you seen what those things go for on eBay?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Power Trim Recommendations Please

That's certainly an option -- but there are two labor charges involved with this: once to install it and another to remove it and the bother to sell it. Look at the example below. I paid $1500 for this engine (less than 25 hours on it) and traded my 40 HP Evinrude that had 600+ hours. Selling price was $3000 - $1500 for my old motor. This would be much smarter way to get tilt & trim (and an engine upgrade at the same time).

 

[rob711]

Re: Power Trim Recommendations Please

dont know if this would help, but, i had a boat with no power trim that i got from an old man...in the boat was this lever type of thing that would sorta clamp to the top of the motor and give u a handle to help pull the motor up...i 'm sure someone will know what i'm talking about and maybe have a picture of it...it still requires some muscle though..good luck

 

[Shosh]

Re: Power Trim Recommendations Please

Rob --

I just bought one of those and while it will certainly make trimming much easier when I have another adult on board (which, admittedly, is most of the time), unfortunately it doesn't solve the problem of holding the motor up at the same time I need to make sure the clamp is secure and put in the pin in place -- for one person, you need to be a bit of a contortionist to do it.

 

[Shosh]

Re: Power Trim Recommendations Please

That's certainly an option -- but there are two labor charges involved with this: once to install it and another to remove it and the bother to sell it. Look at the example below. I paid $1500 for this engine (less than 25 hours on it) and traded my 40 HP Evinrude that had 600+ hours. Selling price was $3000 - $1500 for my old motor. This would be much smarter way to get tilt & trim (and an engine upgrade at the same time).

That turned out to be a sweet deal. Can I hire you to be my buyer/negotiator?