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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

How to safely unmount outboard?

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tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/31/2002 : 02:43:51

We hopefully are bringing home a new boat this Friday. During my initial survey of the boat I noticed the transom flexing under the weight of the 15 hp Evinrude with alt. and elec. start. I definitely want to remove the motor to tow the boat home on the trailer and then I'll deal with a bigger backing plate and the mount itself.

I am trying to figure out how to get the motor off without either dropping it in the harbor or dropping it 6 ft onto the pavement. I have a two sided ladder. Could two people safely remove it while the boat is on the trailer? (wing keel draft) I have thought about rigging a safety line up to a winch in the cockpit and having somebody there belay the motor while we lower it down.

My second worry is once I get it off how do I carry it home? I have visions of a 100 pound missle destroying the boat if I try and trailer it inside the cabin. There is no room in the cockpit (wheel steering). If I run all the fuel out of the lines while running the motor will I be able to carry it in the back of the suburban without gassing myself? Can I lay the motor on its side or do I have to build some kind of motor stand to hold it in about the same position it is in when raised? If I spill gas or oil in the back of the wife's new (to her) suburban I will be sleeping in the boat - in the driveway.<img src=icon_smile_blackeye.gif border=0 align=middle>

Any advice here would be appreciated. See a separate post for more info on the boat.

Todd Hansen
San Luis Obispo, CA

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osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2002 : 05:55:08

Todd,

I've taken osmepneo's motor off while the boat is in the water and while on shore. It was actually easier to do it while in the water. I positioned the motor as close to the dock as possible. Backing it into a slip would be best. Then, after loosing the clamp bolts, squatted and lifted. I also had tied a safety line onto the motor in case I dropped it. Motor lifted off quite easily.

This year I took the motor off when the osmepneo was on shore. I climbed a ladder, and lifted it off. Had a little trouble getting both sides of the motor clamp to clear the bracket. but it worked.

I transport my o/b in my car, placing the prop inside, and the engine housing in the trunk. It has never moved, but I never recall having to make a panic stop. If I carried it in my sones truck, I would tie it down, just to make sure it didn't slide around.

Now my o/b only weighs 80 pouinds, another 20 would make the whole process a bit more difficult for me, but still doable.

One other option would be to rig a block and tackle to motor and the end of the boom. Lifting the motor with the block and tackle and then swinging the o/b over the dock.

Hope this helps . . ..

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk
The Great Sacandaga Lake, NY

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n/a
deleted

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163 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2002 : 08:20:31

I've positioned the dinghy under the motor and dropped it into her. Also, with the motor mount in the full down position I've been able to pick it up enough to clear the mounting plate and then lower it slowly to the ground. If done over water, Don's suggestion of a safety line is a very good idea. I transport mine (1985 Johnson 8 hp Sailmaster w. an xl shaft)in the back of my Caravan, wedging it in with sail bags and berth cushions.

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Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2002 : 09:19:07

Hi Todd,
One thing to remember if the "Evy" is a 4-stroke; check the engine manual for transporting the engine on it's side. Some 4-stroke engines have a nasty habit of filling the cylinders with crankcase oil if transported on the wrong side. This makes them impossible to start next time - until you have extracted all of the oil from the combustion chambers.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

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jandrus
1st Mate

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USA
79 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2002 : 09:19:37

I unclip the mainsheet from the travler, sling it over the rail, and attach it to the engine. Then use the boom as a crane to lower the engine to the ground - this is usually with my fin keel boat up on blocks.

YMMV

c25 #1942 s/v tako kichi

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2002 : 09:51:36

We have a 1978 Johnson 9.9 its only a 2 stroke, but it is gonna come closer in size and weight than the guys with 2 stroke 8's and 6's...not that those motors are feathers either.

We attach a teather from a harness setup over the stern pulpit to the motor and also to the stern docking cleat. Unscrew the motor and then one guy lifts the motor up off the bracket. Then and only then will the second guy move in and assist him in getting it over the pulpit and into the cockpit. from there its just a step off to the dock. Our entire setup is about 90 to 95 lbs.

We are praying that the rope breaks and the motor slips. But unfortunately we haven't been that lucky of late.
dw

D. Wolff - "The Flying Wasp" #401 sr/sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://www.flags.com/dreamimages/Flags/measurer.jpg" border=0>

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Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2002 : 13:10:17

All I can say is do it once its on the trailer. Its a lot easyer to pick up a droped motor than fish one out of the drink.

Doug&Ruth
Triska (Alberg 29)
Tacoma Wa.

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Shelby
Navigator

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USA
155 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2002 : 13:28:24

This may seem like alot of work..but it works. I have my boat on the trailor, then I back up my truck as close as I can get under the motor and gently lift it off the mount and lay it down in the truck. I like the idea of using the boom though. Sounds like a lot less strain on the back. I have a Honda 9.9 and it is a little on the heavy side.

Shelby
'82 C25 "Third S" #3208, SKSR, Honda, Lake Pleasant AZ

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2002 : 14:09:58

I would only, as a last resort, lift a motor off of a boat while it is in the water.

When I remove my motor(singlehandedly) at the boatyard on dry land, I first lower the mount as low as it will go, unhook the fuel/electrical lines, and loosen the motor mount. Next, I take about 4 cinder blocks and a 2x10 plank(these items are all over the place at my marina) and construct a platform that I can stand on to lift off the motor and then set it on the platform. I then step off and lift the engine from the platform. My elderly boatyard neighbor was starting to rig a block and tackle to lift his 15hp Mercury off of his boat, and as he was rigging it, I threw my platform under his motor, lifted it off and set it in his truck before he could untie the knot in his rope.

When transporting the motor in my truck, I set it down as it was designed, rear side down. I then put things around it to keep it from falling and sliding around.

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
C25 SR/FK
On the hard, 200ft from Lake Erie

Edited by - dlucier on 12/31/2002 14:12:20

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Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1038 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2002 : 17:11:29

If you remove the outboard from the boat before putting it on the trailer, how do you get the boat to the launch ramp and on the trailer? I think paddling it would be hard to do. As Doug said if it is dropped on the hard it won't sink. That makes the repairs much less costly.

Bryan Beamer
Daylight Again
C250wk #495

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Shelby
Navigator

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USA
155 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2002 : 17:36:25

Bryan, that brings up an interesting point. I usually walk my boat onto the trailor, I'm standing on the doc. Does anyone motor onto the trailor?

Shelby
'82 C25 "Third S" #3208, SKSR, Honda, Lake Pleasant AZ

Edited by - on

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2002 : 20:03:23

Todd,
I think if you back the suburban up to the motor that four hands could remove it and set it on the tail gate. I have an 8
H.P. Honda four stroke on "Brandy" and found that if any thing goes wrong doing this either in the water or on the ramp that 80 pounds gets awful heavy in a hurry. Also I agree that the motor should be laid down I/A/W manufactures instructions, on my Honda it is stamped on the motor which side is to be up during perods of movement when off the boat, also you should really consider running motor out of gas and use an old mattress to set it on in the "Admirals" suburban.
"Good Luck" Bear on Brandy C250 WB

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tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2002 : 20:19:17

Thanks for all the ideas. Shelby's idea is great but the Suburban does not have a tailgate. Don's idea will work in a similar fashion. My ladder comes apart and makes sturdy scaffolding with the addition of a couple of planks. I'll throw those in the truck. We can then use two people to lower it to the scaffolding and then into the truck. I'll put an old shower curtain under it so if it leaks I'll contain it.

Thanks, I have been lying awake at night sweating this. It scares me more than lowering the mast.<img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>

Todd Hansen
San Luis Obispo, CA

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osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 01/01/2003 : 06:14:46

<b>If you remove the outboard from the boat before putting it on the trailer, how do you get the boat to the launch ramp and on the trailer?</b>

When I have done this, twice because of the *&^%**&%*&& o/b wouldn't function properly, I removed it at the slip. the other time it was at the launch ramp and I needed to move the boat back to the slip. We did that by running ropes between the osmepneo and the slip and pulling it into the slip, stern first. that was an asset when I put the motor back on the boat. I just moved the boat closer to the main dock and "dropped the o/b onto the motor mount.

Like Todd I lay awake nights worrying about doing this, fearing that I'd drop the &*&^ thing into the drink. Retrieval was never a mjor concern (I always have a life attached), just the idea of having the whole thing underwater. Now I'd use the main sheet to lift and boom as a crane to assist accomplishing this task.

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk
The Great Sacandaga Lake, NY

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