Outboard Power Trim

[Kper]

I currently have a 9.9 two cycle and was considering changing my motor mount since it has no spring or hydraulic assist and my shoulders aren't what they used to be. Not being very familiar with engine or mount options, I was also considering power trim to get the prop out of the water without having to heave up on the mount.

I have 2 questions; can I get some feedback on what some of you here are using for mounts and if your happy with the manual lift assist?

Second; is the power trim feature a part of the mount or is that usually an engine option? I noticed another sailor using it to level his motor out of the water and I became immediately envious.

Thanks.

 

[Ward H]

My first sailboat, a 17' Newport, had an engine mount that was so awkward and hard to use I was worried I would pull my self out of the boat.
My 25 came with a hydraulic assist mount and an old Yamaha T9.9 OB. Much easier to raise the mount but still needed to tilt the OB to get it out of the water while sailing. A bit hard on the back, especially in rough conditions.
Fortunately for me, we had OB problems and the Admiral decided we needed a new OB. Marina owner suggested I go with the power tilt so we got a new T9.9 w/ power tilt.
What a back saver. I no longer need to raise the mount, just tilt back the OB. Yes, it added cost but with the power tilt and electric start even the Admiral can start the OB.

I think there are power raise mounts also but I sure love my T9.9 w/ Power Tilt.

 

[Joe]

This is actually a pretty good topic.... I've seen some creative solutions... one is a lever/cable rig that allows you to tilt the motor up without leaning over the transom. Another I saw used a hand crank to reel up a removable harness that was simply a block of wood that fit neatly into the cowling's handle pocket. Nifty... On your boat, a traditional tilt mechanism that is part of the bracket will have clearance issues unless it's in the up position. So the solution is to move the motor farther away from the transom, or figure out a way to power the vertical lift. Add to this the hoses and remote control cables ... it's a nightmare because of the transom.... on a power boat you don't have those issues. I'll be interested to see the ideas and solutions presented here.

 

[Kper]

I'm starting to realize that the tilt feature is probably a part of the motor and not available on the mount. I can also understand how there may be a clearance problem between the motor and the transom. One thing I noticed on the boat that had to power tilt was the motor seemed to be mounted higher on the transom.

I also found that Mercury is the only brand I have found locally to offer the power tilt. It's the 9.9 model coming in at $3400. Ouch.

 

[Brian S]

If you search around, you will find some examples of folks who have rigged a multi-part purchase from the stern pulpit railing down to the motor/motor mount, to assist in lifting the motor. Perhaps a rig like that would help you?

 

[Swamp Witch]

I got a 15 hp Honda outboard on my S2 8.0B that came with electric start and lift. I like.

 

[BILLNPR]

A power outboard lift could be used if you can find one on craigslist, CMC Power Tilt and trim.

 

[Tom G P-21]

Don't know much about it but a quick search turned up a Garelick manual hydraulic lift. Seems like a nice compromise between a power lift and doing it the old fashioned way.

http://www.garelick.com/Manual-Operated-Easy-Pump-Hydraulic-Lift-Outboard-Motor-Bracket

 

[Ward H]

Here is how it worked on my boat, which has a high free board.
It came with an OMC hydraulic assist bracket carrying a 9.9 OB. When in the down position the OB was too far down for me to tilt it back out of the water.
When I raised the bracket it almost but did not clear the water so then I would tilt back the OB.

With the power tilt I do not have to raise the bracket to tilt back the OB. I was already buying a new OB so the extra cost was well worth it to me and my weak back. As already said, now the Admiral can help by lowering or raising the OB to start/stop it.

 

[Kper]

A lot here to chew on.

Thanks everyone.