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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

removing 100 lb outboard while in a slip

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/30/2003 : 18:30:41

Although my Honda BF8A ran at 100% reliability for my entire 2 week cruise, on the last day it would not start no matter what.

It's almost impossible to work on it while hanging off the stern and working on it while in the slip and leaning over the water from the finger pier is also very difficult. I am sure a jet or other small part would be lost if I work leaning over the water. If I can't get it running reliabily with carb cleaner and starting fluid I may have to pull the 100+ pound motor.

I was thinking to make a tall A-Frame out of 2x4s and wedge this down between the cockpit seats (around the drains). Then I could put a block at the top and lead a line from a motor bridle over the block and down to a block near the bottom of the A-Frame and then to the winch. My wife would winch while I would lift and try to pivot the motor to set down on the dock.

Also could lenghten the main halyard and use this with winch to lift the motor but the angles don't look right.

Any better ideas?

<img src="http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/pictures/icon.jpg" border=0>Indiscipline 1978 FK #398

Edited by - on

gerdo
Navigator

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107 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2003 : 19:50:49

I just took mine off in a similar manner. Backed boat into slip and made thing out of one inch pipe that looked like a car motor hoist. It was a two feet by two feet plywood base clamped to dock/slip on that was a flange with a two foot length of 1 and 1/2 pipe with a 5 feet length of pipe inside that with an elbow and four foot length on that with a diagonal brace and a pulley on the end. No winch, had to muscle it up but was easy.

Why don't marina leave two piles very high in a designagated slip with a cross beam and a block and tackle for pulling outboards?

Edited by - on

jsummerfield
1st Mate

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USA
96 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2003 : 20:12:24

The frame is creative and a good idea for removing the outboard. I usually try to get one of my two sons to help manhandle the 9.9 hp 4-stroke electric start Mercury outboard - also about 100 pound. I back into the slip with the outbard near the dock. For my only tip, before anything else, I tie a short line from the outboard to the rail, just in case. I untie the line after the outboard is on the boat or in a dock dolly.

Sometimes the sons are useful. I just had work done on my outboard when I was out of town. The mechanic charges $100 just to remove the outboard.

John
C25 3973 FK/SR
"Texas Tango"

Edited by - on

Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1038 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2003 : 20:18:40

How about a motor davit.

Here is a thread from February, about one installed on a C25

http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2792

Bryan Beamer
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d935b3127cce8ab87c3b48020000000010" border=0>
Daylight Again
C250wk #495
2003 National Champion

Edited by - bryan beamer on 07/30/2003 20:37:58

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Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2003 : 20:34:39

I recently pulled my outboard, not quite 100 lbs., to replace the motor bracket. The motor is to starboard, so we snubbed the starboard dockline with the starboard stern touching one finger and the port bow touching the other finger. One person loosened the outboard from the bracket, while two others lifted it off and onto the dock. Put back on in reverse. Of course, we used a 3/8" lanyard tied off to the starboard stern dock cleat; just in case.

J.B. Manley, Antares '85 FK/SR #4849
Grand Lake O' The Cherokees, NE Oklahoma

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rustynbigd
1st Mate

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31 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2003 : 20:58:47

My problem is that I am too short to get the leverage required lift the motor retractor on my Honda 9.9 hp. Can I use a davit to do that, or is it only for lifting the whole motor?

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2003 : 04:35:26

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
One person loosened the outboard from the bracket, while two others lifted it off and onto the dock. Put back on in reverse. Of course, we used a 3/8" lanyard tied off to the starboard stern dock cleat; just in case.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Exactly, one guy on the stern and two on the dock makes for easy and quick removal, reinstallation.

Edited by - OJ on 07/31/2003 04:41:07

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2003 : 10:21:09

I reach out with my left hand and grasp the motor using my thumb and index finger. Holding the motor at arms length, I lift it off the mount and toss it onto the dock. (only kidding)

I back the boat into an 'end' slip so the motor is right up against the dock, snub the mooring lines so the boat won't move and tie the motor off with a safety line.

Usually get a helper to lift it off but have done it myself in a pinch (Honda 8AF long shaft). Important thing is making sure your body position is proper and having a PLAN on where/how you're going to lift and set it down.

I'm sure if it was the newer, heavier motor it would be a 2 man lift all the time.

The biggest help once on the dock is having an engine dolly...

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25

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Dave B
Admiral

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Mali
863 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2003 : 10:31:44

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I'm sure if it was the newer, heavier motor it would be a 2 man lift all the time.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
You got that right!

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 #5032 "Passage" SR/FK/Dinette/Honda in SW CT

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osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2003 : 11:21:20

I removed my 8 Honda a couple years ago while the boat was docked. Just me. Worried about for a week. Positioned the boat so that ob was next to the dock. Unscrewed the holding bolts and lifted. no safty line, nothing but me. Put it back the same way.

That was dumb!I've been thinking that the main sheet might be a way to lift the motor off the bracket, then swing the boom over the dock, and lower the motor to the dock.

Works for me!

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

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2003 : 13:08:46

I never thought about using the mainsheet. Just disconnect from the traveller and connect to a lifting point on the motor. Snug up the topping lift and hoist away. I wish the boom was 4 feet longer!

<img src="http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/pictures/icon.jpg" border=0>Indiscipline 1978 FK #398

Edited by - on

Dave B
Admiral

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Mali
863 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2003 : 13:09:46

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I removed my 8 Honda a couple years ago while the boat was docked. Just me.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>
Are you talking about the pre-2001 82-pounder or the new 108 pounder with the smooth, rounded cover you can't get a grip on? Two very different animals!

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 #5032 "Passage" SR/FK/Dinette/Honda in SW CT

Edited by - on

JoergK
Navigator

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USA
140 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2003 : 14:09:25

Jim, using the main sheet and boom - if you have no topping lift but a boom kicker, would he support a 100 lbs load augmented by the leverage of the boom length? And, how do you cope with the "short" boom? You also have to clear the stern rail.

Joerg
86C25 SR-SK Second Wind

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JoergK
Navigator

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USA
140 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2003 : 15:32:04

My mouth (or fingers) are faster than my brain. Why not using the main halyard, attached to the boom end, as a hoist, maybe with a tube extension lashed to the boom which extends out a few feet? Such extension, with blocks, would be considerably cheaper than a commercial hoist. What's wrong with such a set-up?

Joerg
86C25 SR-SK Second Wind

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Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2003 : 15:54:22

I don't know about the rest of you, but my topping lift is only a (too old) 1/4" line. I've been needing to climb up on the boom to Dremel off the compression fitting for the pigtail, and have been concerned about the topping lift's ability to handle the load. The main halyard makes more sense, but with the wire line configuration it doesn't reach the end of the boom. I'll be interested to hear what you guys come up with for a possible solution.

J.B. Manley, Antares '85 FK/SR #4849
Grand Lake O' The Cherokees, NE Oklahoma

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Doug
Captain

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USA
457 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2003 : 22:22:04

My Honda has provided me with more than a few opportunities to remove it <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle> I just pull the stern in snug, lossen the motor up, and pull it off to the side. It's heavy, but can be done sliding it off sideways instead of going up. Just remember this: TIE A LINE TO THE MOTOR AND THE BOAT! Grunting, cursing, and banging the dock is one thing. Watching the air bubbles come up as your $2,000 motor goes down is another.

Doug - #1913 Noeta

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77Gypsy
Captain

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USA
356 Posts

Response Posted - 08/03/2003 : 01:01:30

i've dropped an engine in the drink a few years ago. tie a rope to it.

Steve
78 C25 SR/FK - Gypsy
<img src="http://www.websdf.com/logo_web.jpg" border=0>

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 08/03/2003 : 07:31:53

I have a new Honda with the smooth edges. It is a bear to handle, mostly from not having handholds with the smooth edges.
I installed a Garhauer lifting davit and rigged up a sling with some old webbing. The Davis lifting sling I bought was not big enough.
This rig was very handy while I was replacing my motor bracket, taking it off, putting it back on, taking it off etc. to get it right
This was in my driveway.
I also mounted a piece of 2 x 12 to my hand truck and bolted a couple of 2 x 6 legs to the bottom platform of the hand truck for balance and it gave me a pretty good motor carrier.
Now I can install, remove, and move around my Honda extra long shaft by myself.
I'm looking for a better motor sling to use. Any suggestions?

Frank Gloss
89WK/TR

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osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 08/03/2003 : 09:35:28

My $^E# Honda is an older version, so it weighs about 80#. It was a stupid current owner thing to try to get it off with out a secure line.

Seems to me that as the ob is lifted to the boom using the main sheet, and then swung over to the dock, that it would be long enough to work. Seems I've been taken out by a swinging boom whist I was standing on the dock!

It would a good Idea to use the main halyard to hold the boom up, and not rely on a 1/4 inch topping lift. Boom Kicker will not hold my weight up (230#) so I'd want more support to hold up the boom with ob on it.

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

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 08/03/2003 : 19:27:39

Following your advice, I pushed the boat all the way forward in the slip, pulled the port stern all the way over, tilted the motor all the way up, and basically slid it over onto the dock. I used my harness tether to tie it off while lifting.

Since it was easy to lift, I weighed it today (80 lbs). Piece of cake.

Please see my new thread on the main forum about troubleshooting the engine problem.

<img src="http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/pictures/icon.jpg" border=0>Indiscipline 1978 FK #398

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