Home brew outboard trim ?

[stratus5]

I have an idea, am I re-inventing something I can already buy?<br />I would like a few degrees of trim, controllable from the seat. <br />My outboard does not have trim, my boat can't handle the 40~50lb. electro-hydraulic trim with 5" setback. <br /><br />I want to take a motorcycle hydralic brake assembly, and arrange it so an input by me on the master cyl. will actuate a slave piston, placed where the adjustment pin goes on the outboard, will push the motor out, say, 3/4in.<br />I get VERY different results moving the pin just one hole. This could be adjusted while underway, with a simple, lightweight device, instead of heavy motors & pumps. So I would step on a bar, or twist a large knob on the dash, instead of an electric switch, to kick the motor back for speed. <br />How do the hydro's do it? <br /><br /><br />-Dan<br />What would MacGiver do?

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Home brew outboard trim ?

There was manual trim made about a million years ago. I have also heard of hydro cylinders from floor jacks used. I am sure you could come up with something. Have you tried to find a stock setup you can just swap on?

 

[stratus5]

Re: Home brew outboard trim ?

Originally posted by JasonJ:<br /> There was manual trim made about a million years ago. I have also heard of hydro cylinders from floor jacks used. I am sure you could come up with something. Have you tried to find a stock setup you can just swap on?

I was not aware I could retrofit a stock setup. I had a hard time finding any information on my motor, a 1975 stinger 75, so I wonder how hard it would be to find those parts?<br />Im all for the manual version, however, for weight & simplicity. Im considering the floor jack idea.<br />-Thanx, Dan

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Home brew outboard trim ?

Originally posted by stratus5:<br />

a 1975 stinger 75, so I wonder how hard it would be to find those parts?<br />

I believe those motors were raced in the 14 footer class, (brain fade setting in). All were 3 cylinder Mercs and Rudes. I had a 14 Allison with a Merc 70. Gotta be race trims laying around. Check ebay, ask the sellers on similar items questions. <br />PS, Not enough travel on brake calipers.

 

[stratus5]

Re: Home brew outboard trim ?

Originally posted by Robby6950:<br />

Originally posted by stratus5:<br />

a 1975 stinger 75, so I wonder how hard it would be to find those parts?<br />

I believe those motors were raced in the 14 footer class,<SNIP><br />PS, Not enough travel on brake calipers.

I wonder about the travel, I need to move the motor 1/2 hole to get the results I want, so maybe 1/2" <br />Thanks, <br />-Dan

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Home brew outboard trim ?

If it is a fixed amount of degree you want, and will not be moving it, you could always machine some aluminum shims to go between the transom clamp and the transom. Just make sure the shims are a wedge that will give you the angle needed to allow for that 1/2 hole. Optimally you really should just get some power trim. A stinger 75 is still basically an OMC outboard, I can't imagine you couldn't retrofit power trim from a similar vintage OMC of the same power range. They didn't make a lot of different trim setups, I think you can find what you want easier than you may think. My 69 Merc 1250 did not come with power trim, but I know I can retrofit any inline 6 Merc trim setup onto my motor, yours shouldn't be any different.

 

[stratus5]

Re: Home brew outboard trim ?

Originally posted by JasonJ:<br /> If it is a fixed amount of degree you want, and will not be moving it, you could always machine some aluminum shims to go between the transom clamp and the transom. Just make sure the shims are a wedge that will give you the angle needed to allow for that 1/2 hole. Optimally you really should just get some power trim. A stinger 75 is still basically an OMC outboard, I can't imagine you couldn't retrofit power trim from a similar vintage OMC of the same power range. They didn't make a lot of different trim setups, I think you can find what you want easier than you may think. My 69 Merc 1250 did not come with power trim, but I know I can retrofit any inline 6 Merc trim setup onto my motor, yours shouldn't be any different.

I did make some aluminum shims to reach the best compromise, but I would still like to adjust while underway.<br />I did a search on e bay, & didn't find anything in the time I spent, but I'll I'll keep looking for a retrofit trim. Wonder how much weight it will add?<br />I've got a new cook mfg tilt & trim, but it's 40lbs or so & sets back 5". Can't handle it.<br /> If you see a link or resorce, pass it on.<br />Thanks, <br />-Dan

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Home brew outboard trim ?

Soooo...what is this motor on that it can't handle another 50 lbs? Is it one of those low profile tiny pickle deals? Please don't tell me you have it on a canoe that was cut in half...

 

[stratus5]

Re: Home brew outboard trim ?

Originally posted by JasonJ:<br /> Soooo...what is this motor on that it can't handle another 50 lbs? Is it one of those low profile tiny pickle deals? Please don't tell me you have it on a canoe that was cut in half...

Almost... It's called an adventure. If you know the addictor 245, it's similar, but a foot longer. <br />So, more like 2 canoes cut in half.<br />The motor is 220lb, and the boat floats it fine. Another 50lb plus 5" setback is too much.<br /> http://www.stratus5.ckz.us/Boat/boathull805 011X.jpg <br /><br />-Dan

 

[BF]

Re: Home brew outboard trim ?

Well... I'm all for bodging something together (just as a matter of principle). Just last weekend I used a paddle stuck under my 6hp to make a "shallow water trim" for going up a shallow creek... Problem was the blade end of the paddle stuck out the side of the boat and got whacked by a lump of weeds. Made a nice clean break Of course the silver lining is that now I have a nice 1' piece of paddle handle that will ride in the boat and continue to be my "shallow water shim" ... and I also have a new, handier filleting board (the blade). <br /><br />I don't think I have a better idea for you, but did think that maybe using an asymmetrical pin (that acts like a cam) in the trim holes would be another direction. You'd still need a way to turn the pin/cam while underway. Maybe a cable attached to a lever on the end would work (?).<br /><br />I agree with posts above... power t/t for a 3 cyl OMC must be one of the easier things to find... if you had real t/t you'd wonder how you managed without it. If you got a factory unit off a wrecked motor, there wouldn't be any set back.

 

[Chief101]

Re: Home brew outboard trim ?

You could use a hydraulic clutch master and slave cylinder, by using the clutch pedal you could do some interesting stuff..

 

[stratus5]

Re: Home brew outboard trim ?

Originally posted by shortly:<br /> You could use a hydraulic clutch master and slave cylinder, by using the clutch pedal you could do some interesting stuff..

Good call. Pretty much what I've got in mind. Although I'll likely set it up so I won't need to hold my foot down on a pedal, more like an adjustment knob. <br />I have a BMW motorcycle that uses pretty much what I need, you turn a knob to remotely ~ hydraulically adjust the rear shock pre-load spring up or down. Gives at least 1/2" travel.<br />thanks. <br />-Dan

 

[stratus5]

Re: Home brew outboard trim ?

Originally posted by BF:<br /> Well... I'm all for bodging something together (just as a matter of principle). Just last weekend I used a paddle stuck under my 6hp to make a "shallow water trim" for going up a shallow creek... Problem was the blade end of the paddle stuck out the side of the boat and got whacked by a lump of weeds. Made a nice clean break Of course the silver lining is that now I have a nice 1' piece of paddle handle that will ride in the boat and continue to be my "shallow water shim" ... and I also have a new, handier filleting board (the blade). <br /><br />I don't think I have a better idea for you, but did think that maybe using an asymmetrical pin (that acts like a cam) in the trim holes would be another direction. You'd still need a way to turn the pin/cam while underway. Maybe a cable attached to a lever on the end would work (?).<br /><br />I agree with posts above... power t/t for a 3 cyl OMC must be one of the easier things to find... if you had real t/t you'd wonder how you managed without it. If you got a factory unit off a wrecked motor, there wouldn't be any set back.

The cam shaped pin with a lever was the first thing I thought of. Problem is, how do you get the cam shaped pin through a round hole?<br />Im goint to mind-fork my idea some more, while I shop out an omc rig. Done right, however, I think my klooge would work.<br />Im open to suggestion to where I might find the omc parts locally, <S.F.Bay><br /><br />-Dan

 

[BF]

Re: Home brew outboard trim ?

Problem is, how do you get the cam shaped pin through a round hole?

You'd have one end machined small enough to fit in the hole (or pin welded on end of cam), and for the other end of the cam, you'd drill/tap and use a bolt through the other pin hole into the end of the cam. You'd need to have the bolt bottom out in the hole, so it wouldn't tighten down on the pin hole (and lock the cam).