Should I use the lift or not?
Posted by Goosullah@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 32 comments
Decided on a brand spanking new motor instead of repairing that relic. New motor weighs 103lbs and has 20" shaft. Don't know much about the lift but motor is in weight spec for comparable lifts I see online. Old motor also has 20" shaft so I presume there was a reason for having the lift. Can I use the lift as is? Any reasons specifically to or not to?
Terrible_Stay_1923@reddit
I've seen a 9.9 Honda 4 stroke on what looks like the same lift, which is a little heavier than the Merc I assume. <- Complete scientific irrefutable answer right there.
Goosullah@reddit (OP)
Haha appreciate the info and honesty
Terrible_Stay_1923@reddit
I pride myself in running an outboard older than my wife. Just saying
Goosullah@reddit (OP)
I'm jealous of that. I feel like I have decent set of skills, but motor and engines are not among them.
Terrible_Stay_1923@reddit
Mechanics is nothing about skill, its 100% about finding parts and knowing what instructions to follow.
Goosullah@reddit (OP)
That's fair. I guess it'd be more accurate to say that I've not committed time to understanding it better.
MrSnowden@reddit
Just inspect it well. I had that lift and an overweight 4 stroke 15hp. One day it just kind gave way and the motor fell off.
Goosullah@reddit (OP)
Holy hell yeah I don't want that at all.
henkraks@reddit
If it is the one rated for 20 hp, it looks identical to https://panthermarineproducts.com/outboard-motor-brackets/ 55-0021 . Rated for 115 lbs. But also says not to be used with a 4-stroke.
ImogenStack@reddit
I would think the brackets only care about weight/HP and not whether the motor is 2 or 4 stroke? The only obvious thing is if you look at HP alone at the same power the 4-stroke is likely going to heavier
henkraks@reddit
Thats what I would expect too, but I don’t understand why they would put it in the manual if it wouldn’t matter.
pheitkemper@reddit
No. 2 strokes are lighter. If you look online, you'll see that these lifts are rated by max weight.
SourChunks@reddit
I made the same switch on my Hunter 25, same lift, same motors except my 9.9 Merc has the electric lift so is 120 lbs. It works fine for the tiny bit i used it last year, although does not inspire confidence. My boat was initially stuck in a too shallow bay full of muck and unseen berms that I ran aground on, so I had to goose it a few times back and forth to get unstuck. Been great so far.
Now how did the previous owner get a 4.9 draft boat into a 4.5 foot bay? No idea. I did wonder why I got such a great deal on it...
Wizzigle@reddit
Insane amount of motor. You’re going to cooking! Sailing performance may take a hit with all that weight on the transom
markph0204@reddit
I can see from a picture and using Grok you have a Fulton performance lift. Sadly it seems they don’t make them and their website is outdated. A search on Amazon found this. Similar. Look for a decal or number stamped on the side perhaps it has more info like a model number or capacity in lbs. Like someone else said. You could be pushing it with a 4 stroke that size on weight.
RelaxedPhoton@reddit
Here's their lineup as it was in 2006, courtesy of the wayback machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20060315185438/http://www.fultonperformance.com/products.php?group=46&subgroup=47
It's got specs on their models, just need to figure out which one this is.
Anstigmat@reddit
That bracket is likely not rated for 4 stroke motors. It looks like the one I’m replacing now and same story. Looks like your swap will be easy relative to mine.
Nikon_D750@reddit
Always
markph0204@reddit
That old motor two stroke or four? That older may be a lot lighter.
I had similar on back of my prev sailboat. It is handy to have to lift the motor out of water when not in use. The idea is keep the motor out of the elements. But with a long shaft like I had, you’ll never quite get it all the way out.
Goosullah@reddit (OP)
The old one is definitely lighter. Just trying to gauge whether I can use as-is or if I'll need to yank the lift and install directly on the transom. Got the boat in the fall and it's first splash is in a few weeks, so if I need to do any hull work taking that out I want to get a jump on that now and not while it's in the water.
jh937hfiu3hrhv9@reddit
What is the HP of the new one? Two smoker or four?
Goosullah@reddit (OP)
New one is 4 stroke 9.9hp
jh937hfiu3hrhv9@reddit
I am willing to bet that mount is only rated for an 8hp two stroke. Your new motor is way heavier and has more thrust.
Goosullah@reddit (OP)
The mount says max 20hp.
jh937hfiu3hrhv9@reddit
Sorry I meant the lift. Does the lift have a rating?
Pararaiha-ngaro@reddit
Why not it looks sturdy
__slamallama__@reddit
I think it's fine, you should make sure there isn't any wood that rotted out but the aluminum isn't going to go wrong.
But the effect of a lift failing is a very serious bummer and is going to give you a sporty docking situation in the best of times. Personally I would consider replacing it just because the motor is expensive and the mount is cheap (comparatively)
daysailor70@reddit
The new motor is about 30lbs heavier. The Merc weighs 84 lbs, probably 92 if electric start. The safest thing to do is to see if there are any identification marks on the mount and find specs, though I agree, it's probably rated for 100lbs or so.
Loud_Impression_710@reddit
Hang the new one on the transom. It should be able to tilt and lock out of the water.
Icy_Respect_9077@reddit
The lift was probably there so you get the whole unit out of the water while sailing. (Reduces drag) Also, you need to have enough space between the rudder and the motor.
Large_slug_overlord@reddit
The kicker jack is nice because when you are under sail power you can get the motor out of the water and reduce drag.
mortadinpoeritukaze2@reddit
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO