Moving large quantity of outboards

[reelfishin]

I am looking at a big move soon. I've accumulated a lot of stuff here over the past 45 or so years and now am looking at moving everything to a new location.
My biggest concern is how to move roughly 1,000 to 1,500 various size outboards safely over 1000 miles.
The big machines are no problem, moving things like tool boxes, cars, tractors, and household items is no problem but how to secure and efficiently pack 1200+ motors for transport will be the big issue. The rough count is about 1,200 or so give or take a few hundred. Most are big twins, some are V4s, and about 1/4 of them are 25hp or smaller. All are running or 'will run' motors that I've saved over the years, I've sold off about 1/3 of what I had over the past summer, so I'm now down to only three 45' semi trailers, or so I hope. I'll be driving one, I've got two volunteers to tow the other two if they can find return loads home around the same time.

I thought about building rails in the trailer but figured that the trailer body wouldn't support much weight on the sides, and I'd only get two rails down the middle which wouldn't make a dent in the full load. Making multiple trips will cost too much in fuel, so it all must go in one trip.

Any ideas?

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Moving large quantity of outboards

Have no answer to your question, but have you thought about taking a load or two to the metal salvage? What are you going to do with 1200 outboard motors?

 

[BonairII]

Re: Moving large quantity of outboards

Jeez, you should be on that show "Hoarders". It would be easier to sell the motors and get yourself on some medication for "OCD".

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Moving large quantity of outboards

If I was hoarding outboards, I'd have far more than I do. I only keep those that are in good condition or those that can be gotten up and running with basic maintenance.

I sold off more then two thirds of what I had, along with a dozen or more boats and about 30 trailers.

I don't collect outboards, I buy auction lots and estate sales, you never know what turns up. I only save the cream of the crop so what I have are all good motors and parts. It would take me years to accumulate it all again after the move.
I sold off over 1900 motors and parted out many more, some new motors were parted out as well if they didn't sell. Many were shipped over seas.

I basically sold off all the Mercury stuff and any odd brand motors, I kept the later model motors, and any really nice OMC motors, plus a handful of early Chrysler motors. I kept one of each of the 1966 model year Chrysler motors and a couple of late model Mercury injected motors just in case I come across a boat that needs one. Most are 40 through 60hp Johnnyrude twins, with an assortment of early 33hp through 40hp pin drive OMC motors, a few of them are in mint or new condition. I still have a dozen boats that I'm working on, and another dozen awaiting my attention. A few of those will be gone by the time of the move. Many are small skiffs or aluminum boats that don't take much room.

The problem still lies in how to arrange and pack a trailer with outboards. Right now they are on rolling stands in the shop, most stands are wood, and likely won't handle a long bumpy ride in a trailer. It's the V4's and triples I am most concerned about, the lighter motors can hang on stands. The motors will most likely remain stored in the trailer after the move, (I own all of the trailers and shipping containers that will be used in the move). I am not against making some sort of permanent racks inside the one trailer. Especially if the racks free up space for other items. I am sort of leaning towards doing this to a container rather than a box trailer since they have stronger structure to weld too.

 

[sje0123]

Re: Moving large quantity of outboards

Sheesh, I'm having trouble finding a cheap small kicker motor and here you are w/ over 1,000

Couldn't you weld mounts on the sides and run a board across the trailer w/ a beam in the middle for support? Mount the motors to the boards. I'd think you could stack them 2-3 high this way saving a ton of room.

 

[Jerryh3]

Re: Moving large quantity of outboards

I bet your neighbors love you. I gotta see pics of your place. Please post!

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Moving large quantity of outboards

I'm figuring that at 8' of height, I'm only getting two rows height wise. I also want to keep the trailer loaded pretty evenly.
I'm not sure how many 180lb motors I can hang on one 8' board. Also keep in mind the whole trailer will be bouncing down the road, so not only does the weight of the motors all come into play, so does the fact that they need to be spaced enough so they don't back against one another or flop side to side. They need to be secured and not allowed to move at all.
I also don't want to run the rows crossways if I can help it, it'll take up too much room and put all the weight up front. If I can rail the sides of the trailer double height, then maybe a section with rows three high, I can maybe get 75 motors not counting any center racks. I also don't want 275lb V4's hanging 6' off the floor.
My biggest fear is to open the trailer doors and fine a pile of broken aluminum all over. All of the larger motors will fit along two lower rows in a 20' container, but even if I get 200 in each container like that, I'm not even close.

My neighbors don't see a thing, I don't keep much at my house, I have a building in an industrial area where I keep everything indoors both to keep things in good condition and for security. I'd loose ten motors a day if I had them hanging all around my yard. Its bad enough when I loose or can't find something in the warehouse.

I've got about 6 boats in the yard but I'm fenced 6' tall all around, so no one sees a thing. I have enough trouble with the township over me parking my truck in the driveway here. These type of problems only add to my reasons to make a move.

 

[Jerryh3]

Re: Moving large quantity of outboards

Have you though about just wrapping the smaller ones in moving blankets and just stacking them on the floor of the containers? You could probably get a couple rows high.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Moving large quantity of outboards

Sell all of them but 3 for the 3 boats you might use in a given year?

Take the gigantic pile of cash that you just made from the sale (and the savings from not having to haul them cross country) and buy a super nice water front homestead maybe?

Just shooting from the hip here.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Moving large quantity of outboards

I gotta see pics of your place. Please post!

This^^

So what's the reason for keeping them? Is your intention to eventually sell all of them? Or is this a "collection".

 

[robert graham]

Re: Moving large quantity of outboards

Only a photo could help me visualize 1000 outboard motors...send us a snapshot!

 

[scipper77]

Re: Moving large quantity of outboards

This is definitely a hoarding situation. However it sounds like you have done well for yourself and the hoarding is not taking over your life (AKA home is seperate from your collection) so who are we to judge?

Maybe consider that expanding foam that comes in a bag. Not sure what it's called but it's used for shipping all the time. The foam expands in the bag so the foam does not touch the motor. Might be pricey, I don't know.

 

[Dewaynep]

Re: Moving large quantity of outboards

Can you flat stack several motors on a pallet with moving blankets or even carpet padding (cheaper than moving blankets) between them and strap them down. That way you could also categorize them into: This pallet (or more) is for 20hp Johnsons, this one for 25hp Evinrudes, etc... Also makes it very easy to load and unload as well as optimize weight distribution.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Moving large quantity of outboards

Flat stacking was the first plan but it takes up too much room and sorting things out on the other end will be a nightmare. If I lay some on the floor wrapped in blankets, I won't be able to stack them as the compiled weight will no doubt damage those on the bottom. They have to be secured. Larger motors don't do well laying down either, the lower part of the cover isn't made to support the motors weight, and I'd most likely then have to pack the covers separate.

I have access to foam packing in 3" thick sheets, I already bought 400lbs of it to use, my original plan was to use this between each motor to prevent contact damage side to side.
The big problem is still how to build or arrange some sort of racks to hold the motors.

 

[nwcove]

Re: Moving large quantity of outboards

i dont think you have any other choice but to build sturdy racks, from say 2x10's from side to side, and put your smaller motors up high. if its a "spare no expense" move, build a good sturdy crate that will securly hold a few.....but make many and stack em! how do the factories ship them in quantity tho?
i would also love to see a pic of that many motors in one spot! ( i thought my nine motors was a bunch! lol)

 

[GT1000000]

Re: Moving large quantity of outboards

Sir,
Just a sketch with some possible use in your upcoming move. Hope it at least gives you a couple of ideas to work with.
Best of Luck and Godspeed,gt.

View attachment 114965

If the attachment is not clearly visible, I sent you a PM regarding this issue.

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: Moving large quantity of outboards

I would sell the business name along with the outboards to somebody local. Your never going to live long enough to fix and sell that many outboards. I have about 40 motors up to 50hp and I can't seem to find the time to work on them.

If your determined to keep them then lay 6-8 (or more) of the larger motors on their backs in front of the trailer and then build some kind of shelf system over them and then stack the smaller outboards up there. Grab a bunch more of the larger outboards lay them down and build more racks/shelves over them until you work your way to the back of the trailer.

 

[mxcobra]

Re: Moving large quantity of outboards

I bet their are comlpeate us. states - that have less then 1000 outboards in the whole state!!!!!

 

[RandyJ]

Re: Moving large quantity of outboards

Convince yourself that you don't NEED all of this stuff and sell it! Believe me... I've been there (but not that far!). I got rid of 35 vehicles by selling for scrap, made very good money and had gazillions less headaches and much less to deal with or worry about. Now, I've got 15 boats, 7 jet ski's and not sure but probably 30 -40 outboards. If someone comes along wanting one it doesn't take much to get it or parts... I don't need it or want it. I've just got it.... I'd rather have a decent house to live in.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Moving large quantity of outboards

The motors are currently stored all over the shop, some in a back storeroom, others in several trailers just leaning against the walls. Those trailers are junk and won't be going. The trailers I bought are much newer and are road worthy. The containers are those which I use now mostly to complete large buyouts. I have a container or two dropped and picked back up when it's loaded.

I won't be junking any outboards, even the least desirable motors bring money in parts. What don't sell, then can get scrapped but I'm not going to part out and sell 1000+ outboards just to clear out some space. It would leave me with nothing after the move, as well as a big loss of potential cash in the end. Also, scrapping an outboard still requires total dis-assembly to get good money, you have to separate the steel from aluminum to get clean aluminum prices.

If you have too much change in you pocket, do you throw some away to lighten the load?