Getting Motor off Boat At Dock

[ayukon]

Hello,
My father has a 20hp four stroke which is pulls up on land every fall and turns over. He takes the engine and stores it inside. Trouble is that it is a heavy thing to get off of the boat and put on every year, and he is becoming no spring chicken.
Is there a product that attaches to the dock (nothing above the boat) that I can get for him so it is much easier?
I'm open to products, creations, whatever...

Thanks for you help on this.

 

[David Greer]

Re: Getting Motor off Boat At Dock

Take the motor on and off when the boat is on land, presumably on a trailer. There are motor dollies and to assist lifting, use a chain fall or come along on a tree branch or swing set frame to go from boat to dolly. You rmotor might have a lifting ring under the cowl.
Otherwise a mechanic's cherry picker might reach out far enough if you have the stern flat against the dock. If it's just twice a year see if you can rent one, even from a private garage.
Or build a boom on the dock--copy half of a davit system, or the type of boom you see on trawlers. Can also be used to load coolers full of beer and unload coolers full of fish!

 

[ayukon]

Re: Getting Motor off Boat At Dock

Thanks for that. I figured it would be some type of boom. No road to the cottage, so no trailer. He has a little trolley that he brings the engine up to the house.
I'll look around to see if I can find a lift. Again, I'm open to ideas, and anything that carries beer and fish, I like....

Thanks,

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Getting Motor off Boat At Dock

You have some big brass ones pulling a motor while the boat is in the water! One screw up and you're going diving!

 

[ayukon]

Re: Getting Motor off Boat At Dock

It is only about 18inches deep at bow and 4 feet at stern. Having said that, it is easy if you are young and strong, Not too easy if you are an old fart trying to be young still. I've seen people in the drink before...

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Getting Motor off Boat At Dock

It would not be difficult to fabricate a swing boom from 3 inch round stock bent or, cut and welded 90% and attach a hook for a winch, block and tackle or come-a-long. Swing it out, hoist the motor, swing it in and lower the motor to the cart.

 

[thetimerman]

Re: Getting Motor off Boat At Dock

4 strokes are heavy by nature. I agree that it's better to perform removal on land. One possibility is to buy a cheap engine hoist for mounting at your dry storage location. Another method is to use a simple floor jack to assist with lifting the motor so it can be laid down on your wagon or cart. Just put a wood block on the lift point of the jack and place it under the skag. The skag will be strong enough to lift vertically, but not for side loads. Caution: This will still be a two person, single beer job. Also, if this is a tiller, don't lay it down on the shifter side. Shift arms break!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Getting Motor off Boat At Dock

one of these. and a lifting ring on motor.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Getting Motor off Boat At Dock

What TD said. Those pickup-mounted boom hoists aren't that expensive at places like Northern Tool or Harbor Freight. It would make lifing that 20 a piece of cake, and add safety. Just mount it on the dock.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Getting Motor off Boat At Dock

Let the "old guy" think it was his idea or he may resist any and all forms of help. Good luck!

 

[David Greer]

Re: Getting Motor off Boat At Dock

If you're dragging the boat up on land anyway, why not do the motor there?

 

[marquette]

Re: Getting Motor off Boat At Dock

the simplest thing is called sons and grandsons. it's an excuse for a father a to get to gether with his kid and grand kids.

 

[ayukon]

Re: Getting Motor off Boat At Dock

Thanks for the pic of the Boom. I'll look into that for him.

As a note on the old fart thinking for himself, he's asked for ideas, and his PC skills are not up to forum speed yet, so he's enlisted me.

Can't store the motor outside the cottage, definitely wouldn't be there in the spring.

I'd do it, but I moved 10,000 kilometers away.

Thanks everyone for the help.