Take a look and give me ideas, if any....!

[emoney]

Ok, I wasn't even sure where to put this thread, so.....let's just get to it, shall we.
First of all, take a look at these two pictures please;

Now, let's 1st establish that I know I can pull it out and do what I need to do, but mainly, it's raining right now and I'm bored. What I need to be able to do is pull that prop off for a couple of reasons. The boat, as you can see is on the lift and what you can't see (well, you know what I mean) is that this is on a main channel to the Gulf of Mexico. What that means, of course, is that tide in the pic is at the apex and will drop (or is dropping as I type) to about 4' or so below where it is now. Not sure why I thought that was info to share, but I did.

So anyway, has anyone got an idea, not too "cray, cray", for me to be able to manuever back there? :facepalm: Notice there's not a "walkaround" to get to the starboard side, it's "get in the boat/get out of the boat". I'm not so sure who engineered this set-up. I can only imagine that the PO of the house was one to never do his/her own maintenance. It's even a booger to wash this thing after it's time to put up. I know I can float it and back it stern 1st to the dock, but again, I'm just searching for ideas of maybe someone that's dealt with this and came up with a "neat trick" so-to-speak. I mean, this IS the place for cool "back yard, shade tree engineering" and we all know that.

Thanks in advance and if the rain would finally go away when I'm home (why does it only rain after I get OFF work?), I'll try not to clutter the forum with more hair-brained plans....or least the search for one

 

[nphilbro]

Re: Take a look and give me ideas, if any....!

I've switched out props on the water a few times. While not fun, it's a good skill to have. Put it in gear and Tilt it all the way up and drop the travel lock (assuming it has that, can't tell from the photo) and climb on back. My big socket/torque wrench has a small attachment hole on the back I can tie on to in case I drop it (haven't yet). Don't try to salvage the cotter pin, just replace it.

Oh...be sure to have a couple buddies with a six pack and a camcorder watching!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Take a look and give me ideas, if any....!

Put your boat on the trailer and work on it on dry land?

If you don't have a trailer, have 3 of everything you're going to take off because you're probably going to drop something in the water.

 

[emoney]

Re: Take a look and give me ideas, if any....!

The trailer idea is a given, but I looking for those "odd ideas". You know, the "I had one of those and we laid a ladder across it" things. WHich, btw, I've thought of, just not sure how to secure it. I've dropped enough stuff in that dirty water to know anything that gets done gets a bucket or a beach towel below.

 

[jdlough]

Re: Take a look and give me ideas, if any....!

Just wait for low tide, lower the boat, walk out there into the muck, and change the prop!
That's what I do, even to change the lower unit oil (with bucket and rags).

You're in Florida. The water's not cold.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Take a look and give me ideas, if any....!

Ok, didn't realize you were looking for "odd ideas".

Here's an odd idea, rent one of these!

http://allamericanrentals.com/rentalRates.php?subPage=1&item=3

 

[emoney]

Re: Take a look and give me ideas, if any....!

Haha! That might be a lil too much, even for me! But it would be cool to own one of those......

 

[emoney]

Re: Take a look and give me ideas, if any....!

Just wait for low tide, lower the boat, walk out there into the muck, and change the prop!
That's what I do, even to change the lower unit oil (with bucket and rags).

You're in Florida. The water's not cold.

It don't get low enough, or I would!! It's 6' at low tide, 11'-ish at high right there.

 

[emoney]

Re: Take a look and give me ideas, if any....!

What stinks about that is, if I go OUT of the channel, into the Gulf, then it's 2' deep at low tide. But, at that point I might as well head to the trailer because it's too far to walk back if I forgot something, lol.

I've got an 8' hard-bottom dinghy that I'm thinking about airing back up and using it to stand on, but my wife says that I will somehow injure myself that way? Surely I could tie it off enough to keep it steady? It's just so dang heavy, because it's old.

If I could fabricate, I'd probably take a scaffolding plank and weld tabs to it that just "snap" over the lift platforms...raise the motor, slap that on, snap it in, and presto; instant "floor". I should design that and market it to lift sellers!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Take a look and give me ideas, if any....!

Oh, Come on! Easy-peasy.

I do it all the time next to the dock, leaning over to the engine. Turn the engine hard to port and tilt it up 'till you are comfortable working. Stand or sit on the protruding boat bunks and do what you need to do. If you are uncomfortable, throw a length of 2 X 12 across the bunks.

 

[eng208]

Re: Take a look and give me ideas, if any....!

Oh, Come on! Easy-peasy.

I do it all the time next to the dock, leaning over to the engine. Turn the engine hard to port and tilt it up 'till you are comfortable working. Stand or sit on the protruding boat bunks and do what you need to do. If you are uncomfortable, throw a length of 2 X 12 across the bunks.

This is what I would do. Should be fairly easy. Of course, someone once told me "It it looks easy, it's going to be hard. If it LOOKS hard, it'll be da n near impossible."

 

[colbyt]

Re: Take a look and give me ideas, if any....!

Whatever crazy scheme you settle on be sure to have someone there with a video camera. You might even win the grand prize on one of those TV shows.

 

[emoney]

Re: Take a look and give me ideas, if any....!

You reckon a 2x12 would sit there? I mean, I guess I could clamp it, but I'm not 100% sure how I'd loosen the far side when I was done. This is exaclty what I've been thinking, but.....will it hold my 235lb frame? (6'2" of chiseled frame I should've added I guess). I've already taken 2 "swims" in this channel, none of which were "saved to video I might add", altho' Momma had a great laugh both times. That woman has lost ALL her empathy I tell you.

 

[81_chapparel194]

Re: Take a look and give me ideas, if any....!

you could try this... you said crazy ideas http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2lYkiXkU6U
or borrow a buds pontoon boat or your inflatabe boat as a work platform.... maybe even look for an old pontoon deck that has been stripped of motor and seats used for a work platform. i have seen these on craigslist cheap even free for the haul off

 

[eng208]

Re: Take a look and give me ideas, if any....!

If all you are wanting to do is take the prop off, just get you a pool float, put shorts on and tie yourself to the transom of the boat. Use quick clips or something to make it easier. Lower the boat to the level of the water and sit on your nice float to take the prop off.

 

[shaun77]

Re: Take a look and give me ideas, if any....!

I'd use a canoe or kayak. Be like a floating tool box and everything you need is within reach. There really is no room for rigging it looks like.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Take a look and give me ideas, if any....!

Just drop her down into the water and swing the stern over to the neighbors dock and tie it off. Borrowing the neighbor's dock should cost you about 3 beers, or 1 scotch.

 

[emoney]

Re: Take a look and give me ideas, if any....!

Roscoe, that's going to be my "2nd to last resort". That dock on the right is mine and I know I can remove the top rail, so I'm thinking raise the outboard and float it stern 1st to the dock and it should rest right there. My only worry is channel traffic as I'd be blocking most of the "lane" if my boat was perpendicular to the dock. Plus, out of view, to my right, is my neighbor's sailboat that butts right up to the property line and I'd be sick if I broke loose and hit him.

@eng...I do have one of those "lawn chair" pool floats......

 

[jdlough]

Re: Take a look and give me ideas, if any....!

Can you get a ladder, stick it in the muck, and lean it against the transom?

I also do that when I don't feel like mucking around.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Take a look and give me ideas, if any....!

Can you get a ladder, stick it in the muck, and lean it against the transom?

I also do that when I don't feel like mucking around.

I was headed in a similar direction ... extension ladder down into the drink, lash it to the pier or transom (I'm thinkin' pier). Turn the boat hard to port.