Ideas with working on Outboard while in a Boat Slip

[WhiteRice]

I have recently moved my boat from my garage to a boat slip at a house on Galveston Bay in TX. I normally did most of my routine maintenance and minor repairs at home but I am hesitant to start taking things apart with the motor suspended over water. I've been trying to keep an eye out in the neighborhood to see if I can catch someone else working on their motors but most of these boats are "for show" and rarely get used (real pitty).

So, I've been debating on putting a small "Kiddie Pool" under it while I'm working or trying to fab some type of collar around the lower unit that would catch any fluids or jumpy parts that may want to go for a swim. Any pointers / ideas for those of you that keep your boats at the water?

 

[Grub54891]

I usually do that kind of work hanging on to the tools and equipment as if my life depended on it. The main thing is work slowly and carefully. Rushing makes ya drop things. They do make them magnetic sleeves you wear for that purpose, but I've never tried them.

 

[WhiteRice]

Yeah. I have several magnetized tools but they don't work very well with stainless hardware

 

[Grub54891]

Yeah. I have several magnetized tools but they don't work very well with stainless hardware

Exactly. That is why you work slow and carefully.

 

[MTboatguy]

Clarify for me, do you have the ability to lift the boat out of the water? I have a friend that specializes on working on boats in slips that are lifted, he designed a platform that goes from side to side on the docks and has a catch pan that goes under the motor so he can change fluids and it catches any tools and such that may inadvertently fall.

 

[WhiteRice]

Yes. The boat is on a strap hoist while in the slip. That's why I was thinking about putting a plastic pool underneath but I just need to figure a way to secure it so it doesn't move around with the wind or current

 

[MTboatguy]

Yes. The boat is on a strap hoist while in the slip. That's why I was thinking about putting a plastic pool underneath but I just need to figure a way to secure it so it doesn't move around with the wind or current

That is easy, couple of long bungee cords secured to the docks on either side or a couple of ratchet straps secured on either side of the boat and the pool won't move out from under the motor.

 

[ahicks]

Maybe I'm old school, but it seems to me once your annual maintenance is done (properly), there should be little reason to be working on an engine over the water? If it needs work, pull the boat and work in a place where there is no hurry, tools are handy, and you can work comfortably - and do it right. Once done right, it should not need attention again for quite a while.

 

[tpenfield]

Still got your trailer? Just pull the boat when you need to work on it.

 

[MTboatguy]

Still got your trailer? Just pull the boat when you need to work on it.

As we all know, common sense is not always that common!

:lol:

 

[444]

This sounds like a nightmare to me. I would pull the boat and deal with it at home where my shop and tools are where I can get work done without being rushed and gawked at by onlookers.

 

[WhiteRice]

Once done right, it should not need attention again for quite a while.

Evinrude owner here... I wish it was that simple. Lol

 

[roffey]

If I were working on the lower unit over the water I would need sever set s of tools. I drop every thing no matter how hard I hold, arthritis is a bugger, lol. If it were me I would pull the boat and get a stool that I can sit on while I work besides where do you put your beverage?

 

[JimS123]

Oh I feel so nostalgic tonite. This thread has brought up memories long forgotten.

When I was a real youngin we had a cottage and a dock. Grandpa was always working on the outboard. His tools were all old school, he hardly ever dropped one and if he did the magnet would retrieve them.

However, he always fell out of the boat and ended up in the drink. Grandma would yell at him and he was embarrassed. But it was every year.

Sorry for the digression.

 

[southkogs]

Oh I feel so nostalgic tonite. This thread has brought up memories long forgotten.

When I was a real youngin we had a cottage and a dock. Grandpa was always working on the outboard. His tools were all old school, he hardly ever dropped one and if he did the magnet would retrieve them.

However, he always fell out of the boat and ended up in the drink. Grandma would yell at him and he was embarrassed. But it was every year.

Sorry for the digression.

Similar stories from our place Jim. But it was multi-generational: Great Grandpa, Grandpa, Dad, my brother and I all have tales of taking the unexpected bath.

:focus: