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Method to Remove Outboard?

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MartinJW
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USA
241 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/25/2009 : 07:26:59

Hello Everyone,

We've left our outboard ('08 Honda 9.9HP, 25" shaft, elec start & tilt; about 130 lbs) on the boat all winter, but now it's time to think about getting the engine serviced. So I need to get the outboard off the boat so that I can get it to the Honda dealer.

It took 3 men to lift the outboard up onto the transom/mount last spring (while the boat was on the trailer), and we've never removed it since. I'm looking at that heavy outboard sitting way up there and wondering how I'm going to be able to easily remove it.

Any suggestions, tips, hints in terms of removing the outboard? (Suggestions for re-installing the outboard are welcome, too!)

Thanks!

--Martin

C25/250 Int'l Ass'n Member
2008 C-250 WK #973
"Bluebell"
Lake Tahoe, CA/NV

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2009 : 07:53:04

On my boat (not a C250) I lower the outboard mount as low as it will go, then back up to it with my truck's tailgate open. This allows me to lift/slide the outboard off the mount at a more comfortable height.

Edited by - on

MartinJW
Navigator

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USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2009 : 07:59:51

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 On my boat (not a C250) I lower the outboard mount as low as it will go, then back up to it with my truck's tailgate open. This allows me to lift/slide the outboard off the mount at a more comfortable height.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks for the response, Don.

You've found the heart of the problem: The C-250 does not (usually) feature a typical outboard mount; the outboard sits in a portion of the transom that is designed for this purpose. Unfortunately, this precludes any raising/lowering of the outboard that would, as you've described, make removal/installation of the outboard much easier.

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2009 : 08:05:36

I've used 2 methods to remove & then install my Honda 9.9.

From the boat to the ground and back aboard:
1. Attach a 3/4" dock line around the OB and over the cover as a harness to lift it. Rig the main sheet to the main halyard. Loosen the OB from its mount. Hoist first with the halyard on a winch & belay the line on a cleat. Hoist with the main sheet while wiggling the OB out of the motor mount. Slide the OB slowly along the rail until it hangs next to the mast. Lower to the ground. Reverse the steps to install.

From the boat to the dock and then back aboard:
2. Move the stern of the boat to 6" from the dock. Work before the tide shifts and the dock line tension changes. Rig a 9 ft. long 3" dia. aluminum pole (Sunfish mast) as a davit with one end at the cockpit bulkhead against a board and cushions and held sideways by a line to both winches on the port and starboard coamings. Hold up the stern end of the pole over the OB with the mainsheet attached to the main halyard, and hold the pole sideways with a line to both stern cleats. Hang the boom vang from the top end of the pole to the OB harness. Hoist with either the main halyard, the main sheet or the boom vang, each of which lifts the OB up off the mount. Wiggle the OB off the mount and move it sideways a bit then lower it to the dock. Reverse the steps to install the OB.

Sorry, no pictures. I prefer the temporary davit method which gives more control over the OB movements while it hangs in the air.

Edited by - on

KD4AO
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USA
202 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2009 : 09:05:55

Martin, you have asked the "$64" question, thanks for bringing it up. Maybe we can get a few more possibilities posted. The Honda 9.9 is seriously heavy and very hard to get hold of on the back of the C250. I gave up last fall and had a Dockside guy come and do the service but he said I will still need to get it off to service the lower unit. To compound the problem the mounting screws, which should only be hand tightened, seem to be frozen which looks like will result in the pot metal "handles" being broken trying to free the screws. I am sure many others have worked thru this problem in the past and I am anxious to hear every bit of information available. We have a large number of people on this forum who are absolute genius's, maybe they will provide a few more suggestions. Thanks.

Edited by - on

glen
Captain

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359 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2009 : 10:09:49

Martin we use a system similar to what John uses, for our Honda 9.9. We have a 25 so I don’t know if this will help you on a 250. But to make the lifting part easier, we connect our vang between the extension pole and the motor

Edited by - on

MartinJW
Navigator

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USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2009 : 10:14:22

Has anyone tried the Forespar Nova Lift?

http://www.forespar.com/onlineCatalog/2009/Sailboat/sailing_novaDavitNovaLift2009.shtml

Edited by - on

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2009 : 10:23:29

Martin, I have a 8 H.P. Honda, obviously not that heavy but what works for me is I crank the trailer down all the way in the back until the motor is in a good position with my tailgate. It's basically a jerk up and slide onto the tailgate motion. JMTCW.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2009 : 12:46:29

Is the boat still in the water, or on it's trailer?

Edited by - on

MartinJW
Navigator

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USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2009 : 12:55:00

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by delliottg
 Is the boat still in the water, or on it's trailer?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The (wing keel) boat is on its trailer, so the outboard is WAY up there.

I think I'm going to try Bear's suggestion: (1) crank the tongue of the trailer up, thus the (2) stern will come down a bit, (3) back the truck up to the transom, just under the outboard, and (4) muscle it in with a helper.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2009 : 13:10:57

Hah, I know exactly what you mean. I enlisted my neighbor kid to help me lift our Tohatsu up onto it's mount last year. It's good to have a 21 year old around sometimes.

Maybe you could rig your boom as a gin pole with your boom vang or a handy-billy as a purchase to lower it? Rig it to your stanchions alongside the engine so it can't move sideways, raise it up off the transom, pull it out to clear & lower away. Keeps you from talking to the hernia doc.

Edited by - on

JJM
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USA
170 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2009 : 14:04:03

I had a friend help me remove my Honda 8 and take it in to be serviced at the Honda shop. Backed the boat into the slip and found that removing the engine with the transom at the dock was easier than I feared...

But then after we put her back on, the engine would not start!!! Arrgggh! I called the shop and the owner of the shop came to the dock to check out the problem - he was very apologetic because he knows that time on the water to boaters is precious, and this was on a Saturday. Well the crux of the matter is that he found out that he could service the engine while still on the boat, even to service the lower part of the engine. He was really surprised himself! He said to remind him of this so that I don't have to go through the trouble of removing the engine for servicing in the future.

He really turned an almost bad experience into a great one that will ultimately save me time and effort.

So if you can find a certified Honda guy that is willing to come to the dock...

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2009 : 14:18:02

I have a spring loaded motor mount and, when lowered, I can back my Ranger pick-up to the boat and the tailgate is at the perfect height for removal.

If what you mean by service is change the oil (upper & lower), change the spark plugs, you probably could just as easily do that from a step ladder and leave the motor on the boat. I'm not sure what other service you might be looking at in a practically new motor.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2009 : 14:24:09

Leave the motor on the boat. We never remove our Honda 9.9. You can do the annual service (motor oil, fuel filter, gear oil, spark plugs) with the motor on the boat. Takes about 30 minutes to do the whole service. Even impeller replacement and other more in-depth work can be done with the motor on the boat. I used to pay the Honda dealer to do the service on our 8HP on our old C22 but now do my own maintenance. Turns out it is very easy.

These things are too heavy to be taking on and off, IMHO.

Edited by - on

MartinJW
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USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2009 : 15:26:28

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 Leave the motor on the boat. We never remove our Honda 9.9. You can do the annual service (motor oil, fuel filter, gear oil, spark plugs) with the motor on the boat. Takes about 30 minutes to do the whole service. [edited] Turns out it is very easy. [edited]
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

This is brilliant, Randy. Thanks!

I actually own the Honda shop manual for this outboard, and, heck, I used to do all my own service on my various VW, Toyota, Subaru, and Isuzu vehicles when I was too young to afford to pay someone else to do this, so I don't know why I didn't think about this option myself.

Even better, when/if I do ever have problems with the outboard when I'm on the water, I'll have much more familiarity with the engine and a greater likelihood of diagnosing and fixing the engine on the spot.

Thanks again!

--Martin

Edited by - on

frankr
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256 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2009 : 17:39:54

I made a temporary tripod out of 2x4's and used a come along to lift if off the boat and back on the boat. If you remove the engine cover there is usually a lifting strap on top of the engine (metal loop) to facilitate the operation. I weight 140 pounds and could handle it that way. I also used a cart with wheels on it to move the motor around and store it upright inside for the winter.

Edited by - on

MartinJW
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USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2009 : 19:06:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by John Russell
 [edited]
If what you mean by service is change the oil (upper & lower), change the spark plugs, you probably could just as easily do that from a step ladder and leave the motor on the boat. I'm not sure what other service you might be looking at in a practically new motor.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks, John.

You're right, the engine is essentially brand new, but I do want to at least change the oil(s) & filters annually, even if I only have something like 20 hours on the engine. As Randy also pointed out, I should just do this with the engine in place.

Thanks again,
Martin

Edited by - on

Dave Brown
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USA
174 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2009 : 21:15:56

If the motor will not come to you, then ( if its on the trailer) go to the motor.
Get out your saw horse's, and a good sheet of plywood, call some friends over and ask what they think. This is what I did. By the time it was all over, the motor was down and back on, and we all had a good time. Of course keep in mine, the more friends the more idea's.
Just my 2 cent's.
Dave B.

___________________/)_______________/)____________/))))_________

.

Edited by - on

MartinJW
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USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2009 : 19:34:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 Leave the motor on the boat. We never remove our Honda 9.9. You can do the annual service (motor oil, fuel filter, gear oil, spark plugs) with the motor on the boat. Takes about 30 minutes to do the whole service. Even impeller replacement and other more in-depth work can be done with the motor on the boat. I used to pay the Honda dealer to do the service on our 8HP on our old C22 but now do my own maintenance. Turns out it is very easy.

These things are too heavy to be taking on and off, IMHO.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You were absolutely right, Randy.

I have some basic mechanical skills - I used to tune up and adjust the valves on my 1973 VW Bug - and I bought the Honda shop manual.

The plugs and filters were less than $40.

In only a little more than an hour, I changed the engine oil filter, fuel filter, engine oil, lower end oil, and both sparkplugs. I think that I'll be able to do this a little faster the next time. I backed my pickup to the boat on the trailer, and the bed of the truck turned out to be the perfect platform from which to do this work.

The BEST news is that the engine started right up, and it's been running like a champ on the water.

Thanks again,
Martin

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/14/2009 : 21:04:14

Glad it worked out for you! These outboards are too heavy to be moving them around. Plus, with the money you save by doing the work yourself you can buy stuff for the boat!

Edited by - on

JJM
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USA
170 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2009 : 16:47:13

Is there a Tech Tip on this? I would love to try this myself. Or is the best thing to get the Honda manual and review it for servicing instructions?

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MartinJW
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USA
241 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2009 : 20:04:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JJM
 Is there a Tech Tip on this? I would love to try this myself. Or is the best thing to get the Honda manual and review it for servicing instructions?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I bought the official "Honda Marine Shop Manual BF/BFP8D*BF/BFP9.9D" ($36.95 + shipping from Helm Publications; HelmInc.com), and I found it to be very, very thorough. There are step-by-step instructions and nice drawings, too.

If I had more experience, I think that I could have pulled this off with only the owner's/service manual that came with the outboard. However, since this was the first time I ever worked on anything like this, I was glad to have the comprehensive book to guide me.

Good luck!

Martin

Edited by - MartinJW on 06/17/2009 21:55:26

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
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Response Posted - 06/17/2009 : 21:37:37

John, I just used the owners manual that came with the outboard. It has the instructions for fuel filter, lubricants and spark plugs. The detail repair book would be handy to have also, especially if you got into more in-depth repairs or impeller replacement.

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Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 06/18/2009 : 06:55:15

Any chance the maintenance can be done with the boat in the water? I'm sure the plugs could be changed and fuel filter but probably not the oil.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/18/2009 : 07:17:18

You can do the spark plugs, fuel filter, and engine oil in the water if you use a [url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/27074/377%20710/0/oil%20pump/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710&Ne=0&Ntt=oil%20pump&Ntk=Primary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=0&keyword=oil%20pump&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=6&subdeptNum=169&classNum=170"]pump system[/url] to drain the engine oil. I don't see how you could do the lower unit gear oil in the water.

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Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 06/18/2009 : 07:28:39

Although ours is a C-25, I think what we do could work for you.

I have an old, crappy GMC Safari/Astro which is used as the vehicle of choice for all things outdoors, muddy, construction or adventure oriented.

If I back it up to the boat, and stand on its roof, I am at perfect work height for the OB with the boat on the cradle. Now its easy to adjust tilt so the OB is overhanging the van, undo the bolts, and lower it onto the roof of the van.

From there I can pass it down to a helper, or put it in the back of the van fairly easily.

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