Springs for manual motor tilt? Homebrew ideas?

[ac439]

So, as my first boating experience was a disaster, I'm planning for a better one next time. One of the problems was the motor tilting. It is completely manual and the motor is so heavy.

Buying an aftermarket electric/hydraulic tilting system is definitely beyond my reach mainly due to funding. I've read a posting in this web site that there is a design that use springs to assist the manual tilting. Where can I get these springs (or a kit)?

I've have also read another posting that someone thought of using electric winch to tilt the motor but the replies point out problems with the idea. I have been thinking about using those automotive rear hatch door pneumatic shocks for manual tilting assist. Any other ideas about a homebrew tilter?

Thanks.
-AC

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Springs for manual motor tilt? Homebrew ideas?

so fast we know you have a motor, and having problems tilting it. What motor? give us something to work with.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Springs for manual motor tilt? Homebrew ideas?

AC - My '58 Johnson Fat Fifty had a fat spring built into the transom clamp to assist tilting it. It worked pretty well, although I was always afraid that it would somehow smack into my body and break something. That motor had a lock down for reverse, since it was so easy to tilt up.

Presuming you have a more modern motor like a 4 cylinder Merc or something, you may have "shock" absorbers which help hold the motor down. Make sure that they do not bind and lubricate 'em a bit. That will help.

 

[F_R]

Re: Springs for manual motor tilt? Homebrew ideas?

There used to be a nifty gizmo that was a simple couple of hinged bars, one hooks to the tilt handle, and the other had a hand grip. When unfolded, they were about 90 degree angle to each other. To use, you simply hooked the horizontal one under the motor's tilt handle, and hauled back on the verticle arm. Simple leverage.

I tried without success to find a picture, maybe somebody here has one. I believe they were made by Garelick/Eez-in, but might be wrong. Watch e-bay.

 

[JB]

Re: Springs for manual motor tilt? Homebrew ideas?

This is an outboard engine question. Going to Non-repair Outboard

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Springs for manual motor tilt? Homebrew ideas?

picture of Garelick handle for up to 40hp. slipsinto handle notch at the back, or bolt a angle on the back of the motor. once actually saw one bolted to an older motor cowl.

 

[ac439]

Re: Springs for manual motor tilt? Homebrew ideas?

Thanks for suggestions. The engine is a Chrysler 55HP (1972). So the handle may not be strong enough to handle my engine? Any other ideas?

 

[gewf631]

Re: Springs for manual motor tilt? Homebrew ideas?

Thanks for suggestions. The engine is a Chrysler 55HP (1972). So the handle may not be strong enough to handle my engine? Any other ideas?

Seems like you could easily fabricate something similar out of some short pieces of 2-by, with a C-clamp or 2 to hold it down. You're just trying to increase your leverage. so even if it was just a foot or so taller, that might be all you'd need.

If this works, you could fabricate something that would work without the clamp - so you could just hook it on as needed.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Springs for manual motor tilt? Homebrew ideas?

bolt 2 electrical conduit clamps on the back of the motor, then slide a pipe down into them, so it't 2 feet or so above the top the cowl, would give you great leverage. then just stow the pipe with the paddle.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Springs for manual motor tilt? Homebrew ideas?

My first boat had a 4 cylinder mercruiser I/O on it. There was no trim or tilt and I spent everything I had at the time just rebuilding the motor and repairing the boat. After I got everything going, the bow was plowing seriously and if I set it to where it rode well at speed, I would see nothing but blue sky when I was getting on plane. I rigged up a ratcheting lift with a come-along and a pulley that attached to the top of the outdrive. I could crank the strap from the helm and trim the drive. It was a little crazy, but it worked pretty well!

​

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Springs for manual motor tilt? Homebrew ideas?

funding and the value of the motor, rules this out. http://www.iboats.com/CMC_Power_Til...07843179--list_time.1179530049--view_id.13581

 

[ac439]

Re: Springs for manual motor tilt? Homebrew ideas?

bolt 2 electrical conduit clamps on the back of the motor, then slide a pipe down into them, so it't 2 feet or so above the top the cowl, would give you great leverage. then just stow the pipe with the paddle.

That's great idea and shouldn't cost me much ! thanks ! - AC