Removing motor without a hoist

[Tacklewasher]

Figured I'd post here cuz I'm sure someone has done this in getting ready for a restore.

I want to re-do my transom. I don't have a cherry picker and need to remove the 115 hp motor.

I'm trying to think of a way to do it without spending money renting something etc.

Here is my basic thought. Treat this about the same as I've done to raise the motor.

Drop the trailer tongue to raise the motor up.

Put a block under the motor skeg to support the weight. Build a temporary support to hold the motor in place.

Loosen the 4 bolts.

Raise the trailer tongue to drop the transom and pull the boat forward.

Put in place a support at the front to hold the motor upright while still sitting on the skeg. No real difference from a motor mount except there would still be weight on the skeg.

Reinstalling would just be the opposite once the transom is done.

All of this would be with a couple guys helping/holding things in place until the motor is fully supported.

Anyone done anything similar.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Removing motor without a hoist

Hang cheap come-along from something high, attach to lifting eye, lift. Done. Mine's hanging in he back of my garage right now. I'll probably have to build some kind of stand for it when I go to paint it.

 

[Josh P]

Re: Removing motor without a hoist

i did almost the same thing except i used a floor jack on the skeg , my skeg was broke at that time so didnt worry me to much. i tho built a outboard motor stand that i found plans for i this forum i believe.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Removing motor without a hoist

Hang cheap come-along from something high, attach to lifting eye, lift. Done. Mine's hanging in he back of my garage right now. I'll probably have to build some kind of stand for it when I go to paint it.

Boat is under a Costco car canopy type thing that would not support the weight of the motor. I hope to be able to leave the motor there until I re-install.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Removing motor without a hoist

The method you described works well and only takes a few minutes.

 

[McGR]

Re: Removing motor without a hoist

For my project, I had a couple of friends come over and we muscled it off onto a furniture dolly. I ended up buying them lunch for their troubles, so I guess it wasn't free. Now I have to figure out the best way to get it back on (I'm not too sure the friends will volunteer as easily for the reinstall job).

 

[Damifudo]

Re: Removing motor without a hoist

I just installed my motor back on the boat. Removal is easy. Install not so much. Oh and remember this very very very very very very very important step. Make sure you install the steering before you bolt everything up. Other wise there are not enough curse words in the garage to make you feel better. Dont ask how I know.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Removing motor without a hoist

you can man handle it off, but remember you are responsible for any injuries. it is much easier to have a stand built and ready to receive the motor. reinstalling, get a cherry picker, makes it so much easier, and safer.

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Removing motor without a hoist

I just installed my motor back on the boat. Removal is easy. Install not so much. Oh and remember this very very very very very very very important step. Make sure you install the steering before you bolt everything up. Other wise there are not enough curse words in the garage to make you feel better. Dont ask how I know.

I've already got that t-shirt.

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: Removing motor without a hoist

I borrowed a tractor off the neighboring property. Hooked a chain to the bucket and lifted the motor on and off using that.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Removing motor without a hoist

Your method will work fine...have a couple of BOB's on hand to steady and hold it...Big Ole Boys. As TD said, it works best when you have a stand already made up to hang it on...put casters on the stand so you can push it around wherever you want it.

 

[Genonbamagirl]

Re: Removing motor without a hoist

Your method will work fine...have a couple of BOB's on hand to steady and hold it...Big Ole Boys. As TD said, it works best when you have a stand already made up to hang it on...put casters on the stand so you can push it around wherever you want it.

Sounds a bit odd to me. Pull the cowling and there are rings made for lifting it. If it's under something flimsy, throw some two by sixes together to make a stand high enough to get it lifted off the boat. Think old kid's swing set as to what it should look like - just smaller to fit the needs of the area involved. Hanging it from something solid will prevent the tip over that I would cringe while thinking about.

A single half way decent come along will lift it, then a piece of chain will hold it securely as long as needed.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Removing motor without a hoist

That'll work too...method chosen depends on the resources at hand, especially if some nimrod has removed the lifting ring.

 

[funk6294]

Re: Removing motor without a hoist

Perhaps find a sturdy tree to hang a block and tackle off of...

 

[Tacklewasher]

Re: Removing motor without a hoist

Sounds a bit odd to me. Pull the cowling and there are rings made for lifting it. If it's under something flimsy, throw some two by sixes together to make a stand high enough to get it lifted off the boat. Think old kid's swing set as to what it should look like - just smaller to fit the needs of the area involved. Hanging it from something solid will prevent the tip over that I would cringe while thinking about.

A single half way decent come along will lift it, then a piece of chain will hold it securely as long as needed.

Have to think about this. No tractors/trees in the area. I've got a stand that I think will hold it. Just won't be able to move it around as the ground is too soft but that's okay. I could see the use of a mount but was trying to avoid the cost of lumber etc.

How would something like this look at the top?

 

[ddrieck]

Re: Removing motor without a hoist

Yep, have done it a few times with no ill affects

1) Strap the outboard to a hand truck or refrigerator using ratchet straps.

2) Unbolt the transom clamp or transom bolts, depending on how its attached.

3) Have a couple of people hold the outboard steady

4) Slowly lift the front of the trailer tongue until the outboard/dolly touches the ground.

5) When you are sure the outboard has been steadied by your helpers, continue to lift the trailer tongue until the transom clamp clears the top of the transom.

6) Once the transom clamp has cleared, pull the boat/trailer forward

7) Run back and help the helpers to move the now free outboard to where ever you wish.

To install just reverse the above.

My sons and I have removed and reinstalled 4 outboards this year with the above steps. All four were heavy multi-cylinder motors from 50hp - 150hp

Just go slow and everything should work out OK.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: Removing motor without a hoist

I used the exact same method you are thinking of using to remove my 200 horse v6 evinrude a few years back. It was a bit awkward but wasn't that bad, I had myself and two friends to support the motor wife drove boat away once motor was clear then she pushed the pre made stand right up to where we needed it and we lifted it just a bit onto the stand. It sat on the stand until I got the transom finished and we did the process in reverse to re attach the motor onto the new transom. As stated don't bolt motor up until steering is hooked up. Good luck it is doable, may not be the best way but it will work.

 

[18Starcraft]

Re: Removing motor without a hoist

I had same problem swapping a non running 80 Merk with my 115 Evirude. Used a two person lawn swing frame. I've seen the swing hold 2 200pound people & just u-bolted a 2X4 across the top for extra strength to top bar. Lowered the front of trailer, raising the transom. Chained the motor up and raised the trailer front, Pulled it out the way. I built a wooden motor stand from links found on this site and rolled it into place. Putting the motor back on was just the opposite.
It worked fairly smoothly. Good Luck

 

[JimbC]

Re: Removing motor without a hoist

Jeez Rent a engine hoist man. They rent for like 35 to 40 bucks per day. No need fighting all of this dilema and trying to figure out what to do. Build the engine stand as seen here cost is pretty cheap.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=266975
Just git er done already.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Removing motor without a hoist

You can support the motor by the lower unit and anti-cavitation plate but the result won't be very stable unless you build and attach the blocks as one assembly. I wouldn't attempt it by just stacking up some lumber and expecting it not to collapse or move when you need it most.
I did a few like that years ago, but it didn't take me long to realize I needed a cherry picker and a good come along. I now use a 12' gantry crane to pull motors which also doubles as a boat lift when swapping trailers.

Don't you have a tree with a solid limb to hang a chain and come along from? It's far safer, not to mention easier to hang the motor from a hook than to try to balance it on some blocks.
Think of something else, what are you going to do if the steering cable is stuck and won't pull right out of the motor bracket tube? It will be tough to maneuver the motor and/or boat to get a stuck cable free.