Launching and retrieving advice please

[lhutrack165]

So I recently purchased a boat that does not have the power tilt option for the outboard that weighs about 250 pounds. What I'm trying to figure out is how I'm going to launch the boat, I want to leave the motor up when backing down the ramp to avoid hitting anything, the problem occurs when I want to lower the motor once it is in the water and I have no idea how I'm going to accomplish this. Should I just put the motor down when backing up and be careful not to hit anything?? Please give me some advice or suggestions on what has worked for people on this situation, thanks!!!

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Launching and retrieving advice please

If you could manually put the motor down just before backing down the ramp . . . then why couldn't you put the motor down once it was in the water? the only difference would be that you are in the boat on the water versus being on land . . .

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Launching and retrieving advice please

My last boat had a '73 Johnson 85 on it which had no power tilt or trim. When it's tilted up in the trailer position, you just flip the lever, and pull the motor towards you a bit and drop it back down. No big whoop. The hard part is when it's time to retrieve and you have to pull that beast back up. It was manageable though. One of these may help: http://www.iboats.com/Garelick-Outb...87245700--session_id.721127843--view_id.38002

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Launching and retrieving advice please

My last boat had a '73 Johnson 85 on it which had no power tilt or trim. When it's tilted up in the trailer position, you just flip the lever, and pull the motor towards you a bit and drop it back down. No big whoop. The hard part is when it's time to retrieve and you have to pull that beast back up. It was manageable though. One of these may help: http://www.iboats.com/Garelick-Outb...87245700--session_id.721127843--view_id.38002

I did the same with my '72 Starcraft w/ Merc 800. It was a pain, but all do-able from inside the boat.

If, when retrieving, you can't tilt the motor up from inside the boat, you'll have to do it by getting wet (standing on the ramp behind and lifting it from there).

 

[lhutrack165]

Re: Launching and retrieving advice please

If you could manually put the motor down just before backing down the ramp . . . then why couldn't you put the motor down once it was in the water? the only difference would be that you are in the boat on the water versus being on land . . .

You cant put it down while in the boat, you have to lower the motor down to a selected angle and then place a pin/rod through the hole that holds it in that position, if the pin/hole is submerged I dont think Ill be able to do this, especially when holding the motor.

 

[lhutrack165]

Re: Launching and retrieving advice please

I'm less worried about retrieving than launching, I just didnt know the best way to do it, I dont mind standing in the water, but was worried if the rod and angle holes were submerged or if it was too deep to hold the motor in place when trying to secure it

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Launching and retrieving advice please

You cant put it down while in the boat, you have to lower the motor down to a selected angle and then place a pin/rod through the hole that holds it in that position, if the pin/hole is submerged I dont think Ill be able to do this, especially when holding the motor.

That pin should be in your desired trim position permanantly... It only comes out to change trim angle, or, if your reverse lock mechanism fails and you can't tilt it up without removing the pin (ask me how I know this )

There should be a lever on the tilt mechanism itself that allows you to lock it up in the trailer position, or let it down for operation.

 

[lhutrack165]

Re: Launching and retrieving advice please

That pin should be in your desired trim position permanantly... It only comes out to change trim angle, or, if your reverse lock mechanism fails and you can't tilt it up without removing the pin (ask me how I know this )

There should be a lever on the tilt mechanism itself that allows you to lock it up in the trailer position, or let it down for operation.

Ok, Ill have to look at again and hope its that way, I'm new to the manual tilt so havent figured it all out yet. Thanks

 

[Philster]

Re: Launching and retrieving advice please

My late 70's 115HP Evinrude had no tilt/trim. I raised and lowered the 115 by hand from inside the boat, leaning over the splash well.

The cowling had a grab handle inset into it. There was an 'unlock' lever, which I would flip, then I'd give the motor a tug from the handle that was inset into the cowling. When she was as far up as she'd go, I'd flip the lever back to 'lock' and she'd fall back and rest on the mechanism in full tilt position. Guess it took 5-6 seconds. Don't think power trim would even work faster. When I was a kid doing this, I didn't even know power tilt/trim existed.

Good times.

For example, a similar engine/year:

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Launching and retrieving advice please

You cant put it down while in the boat, you have to lower the motor down to a selected angle and then place a pin/rod through the hole that holds it in that position, if the pin/hole is submerged I dont think Ill be able to do this, especially when holding the motor.

Yeah you're doing something wrong. This pin doesn't get messed with. What motor are we talking about here?

 

[lhutrack165]

Re: Launching and retrieving advice please

Yeah you're doing something wrong. This pin doesn't get messed with. What motor are we talking about here?

Yea I think I was overlooking something on it, I think I'll be good now...

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Launching and retrieving advice please

you need to (a) tell us what motor you have and (b) find someone with a similar make and year motor, like someone at the ramp or a marina, and ask him to show you how to work your motor.

If you are removing the "pin" because the motor is hooked to it, you have to figure out the release mechanism.

On older motors the devices may be broken--but how did you get the motor to stay up for trailering?

PS you should never have to go overboard, or more than ankle deep, for any part of the launch/retrieve process

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Launching and retrieving advice please

Yes that pin is for adjusting the trim angle and shouldn't be moved once set. There should be a locking lever on the transom mount. Check it out. If your not sure snap some pics and put them up and I'm sure we can help you figure it out.