Lifting my outboard sucks
Posted by checkpointGnarly@reddit | sailing | View on Reddit | 15 comments
So I’ve got a hunter 25 with a 8hp outboard on an adjustable bracket. I can get it up and down but it’s always an awkward position reaching under the stern rails, and around the back stay. I think my wife would have a pretty hard time getting it up or down if she could at all.
Anyone have any creative solutions to lifting the outboard up and down? I’ll take the bracket off and give it clean and lube to help the springs along but I feel like there’s gotta be a little less awkward way to get the thing up and down.
670979@reddit
If you have trouble getting it up or down, and your wife has trouble also getting it up or down as you said, perhaps some outside help is in order to remedy the tilt of the shaft That is all can say on this matter.
vanalden@reddit
Try a radius lift. Make an A or H frame from 4x2 or steel poles or aluminium channel. Make it pivot on a bottom plate. Run the topping lift or main halyard over the top and tie to your outboard. As you pull the line in with a winch, the outboard rises and swings in to your mount on the pushpit.
HelicopterUpbeat5199@reddit
Are you talking about lifting it on/off the boat, raising or lowering it on one of those spring loaded outboard brackets or tilting it up and down on a transom?
bright_yellow_vest@reddit
Put a spare main sheet or boom vang setup between the stern rail and the lift handle on the motor mount
the-montser@reddit
The springs should have enough tension that it takes very little effort to lift the engine.
Make an extension on the lift handle so you can control it without having to bend over so far.
sailingtroy@reddit
Should, yeah. I'm a 200lb man and I have no problem with my outboard bracket. When I have a 120lb friend along for the Women's Skipper's Regatta, she really struggles with it. Maybe it's body weight, or just technique, but there's something more going on.
seamus_mc@reddit
This is why I got a power tilt for my 100lb wife with our 20hp for our dinghy
Infamous-Adeptness71@reddit
Good question. I've often wondered if a line could come down from the end of the boom or some other raised point and attach to the outboard. Then you would have improved leverage and even be able to winch it up.
LameBMX@reddit
on my SC I lashed a block on the stern rail and installed a cam cleat below it. still have to reach over to tip the engine and disengage the over center locks high and low... but it was a lot easier to pull it up or guide it down in the cockpit.
Icy_Respect_9077@reddit
There's a type of engine bracket that has a hydraulic lift. Motor is raised by pumping it up.
geants@reddit
You might be thinking of the O.B. Up brackets. Not cheap though
Waterlifer@reddit
Sure.
1) Don't lift it. Optionally, tilt the motor instead of lifting the bracket. (Assuming you're not racing)
2) Replace it with a fixed bracket and an extra-long shaft motor, that way you can tilt the motor and get it out of the water even on port tack (or whatever tack puts it low). You may be able to convert the shaft length of your existing motor
3) Replace or augment the spring on the bracket so that it's balanced properly. Or replace the whole bracket.
futurebigconcept@reddit
On the boat I race on we hoist the main, then take the outboard completely off to stow below. We drag the jib halyard around the shrouds to help with the lift. Takes min two people.
ratafria@reddit
Well, find a strong point and build a rig. A couple of double pulleys can do the job of 4 men.
LateralThinkerer@reddit
Here's an opinion without knowing anything more: Backtrack the bracket itself and see what the weight range of outboards listed for it. Look up your motor's weight. It may be that a beefier spring set/different bracket would make it easier. If this isn't the problem, remember that sailboats are tension structures (rigging everywhere) and a well-positioned block (stern rail?) with a lifting line can be a big help. My 2¢