First time owner, landing boat on beach without power trim

[alex2293]

Hey guys,

I've been reading this forum for a while, but I have a question to which I can't find an answer.

My dad and I just bought a small 14 ft. fiberglass boat from the 80's. It is powered by an 60 HP 2 stroke mercury outboard with two levers OMC Simplex.


It has the electric star, however, it does not have power trim/tilt.

My question is how can we land the boat on a small sand beach if we can't trim/tilt the outboard up. The propeller and the lower unit will hit the sand?

Thanks a lot,
Alexandre

 

[saumon]

Re: First time owner, landing boat on beach without power trim

Give some (or a lot of) gas before, shut it off, raise it and let you drift onto the beach.

 

[alex2293]

Re: First time owner, landing boat on beach without power trim

Yes that's what I did with my 12 ft aluminium Princraft and 6 hp. But the 6 hp was a lot lighter to raise.

I've seen some kind of lever to lift the engine could this be useful?

But how do I leave the beach? With the outboard raised, I give it a push and when there is enough water I lower the outboard and start it?

 

[foodfisher]

Re: First time owner, landing boat on beach without power trim

Without tilt and trim you're left with muscle.

 

[alex2293]

Re: First time owner, landing boat on beach without power trim

Yes that's what I tought, I think the best method is to install some sort of lever to raise it, and to have a small trolling motor to accost at the beach and to leave it. It would also be used for trolling.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: First time owner, landing boat on beach without power trim

Not knowing where you are or what you're doing, you could look into those mud motors on another forum.

 

[alex2293]

Re: First time owner, landing boat on beach without power trim

I'm in Quebec, I'll be fishing and water skiing on a small lake ( 1 mile x 5 miles) and there is a small beach that would be nice to be able to go with the boat without hitting sand with the propeller.

 

[alex2293]

Re: First time owner, landing boat on beach without power trim

My dad and I usually repair all the stuff we have, so I think I'll try to install a gas spring between the bracket and the outboard, there is already some kind of bolt holes one the foot that could be used to install a gas spring.

I think that some older outboard had some kind of tilt assist?

Just to relief some weight to make it lighter to raise.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: First time owner, landing boat on beach without power trim

Not familiar with, but have seen a handle that hooks to the cowling to assist in raising the engine. Surely someone will chime in.

 

[southkogs]

Re: First time owner, landing boat on beach without power trim

A lot of outboards have a shallow water "lever" on them somewhere. On our Johnsons, it was a metal bracket that sat just under the motor head on the back. That would tilt up a little for coming on shore.

A good set of oars will get you there too

 

[saumon]

Re: First time owner, landing boat on beach without power trim

Power handle

You could do a search for "manual tilt assist", that's the hydraulic cylinder you are refering to, common on larger engines without power trim. You'll need something that retract under the powerhead weight but still relieve most of it. You'll also have to make sure it doesn't interfere with the reverse locking mechanism...

What year is your Merc 60hp? I know for sure that those from the '90's have either the power trim or the tilt assist cylinder...

 

[alex2293]

Re: First time owner, landing boat on beach without power trim

Yes the lever with the manual lift assist would fit what I need. Thanks I'll check tomorrow what should be te retracted length and extended length of the cylinder.

Basically it is a gas spring like the ones that opens the car hood?

 

[saumon]

Re: First time owner, landing boat on beach without power trim

Maybe your engine used to have one, that have been removed? Did you know your serial number?

 

[ddrieck]

Re: First time owner, landing boat on beach without power trim

You could add a CMC PT-130 aftermarket tilt Tim unit.!!! CMC Aftermarket Hydraulic Tilt & Trim Units for Boats and Marine Outboard Motors