Re: help this thing is so hard to pull up out of the water
Fleur, I don't want to be over simplistic, but is the tilt shaft well greased? While it's on the trailer, lift it by the foot[for leverage] and see if it tilts smoothly without binding.There should be a grease fitting on each side of the mounting bracket for the tilt shaft. I had an 18HP of this vintage and I remember it being a big, heavy motor. Maybe it is just the weight and the position. Good luck.