Outboard Bracket Lifting System.

[aquaplane]

When I want to get the prop out of the water on my 20 footer, I need to lift the outboard up before I can tilt it.
It’s on a bracket like this:

http://www.marinescene.co.uk/images/brackettrack-big.jpg

When leaning over the stern it’s a bit heavy and awkward to lift. There is some friction in the sliders which I can work on but I don’t think that’s going to make enough difference. Lowering the raised bracket into the top notch on the sliders means letting the top edge move out and drop to engage in the stop. This is not easy to do when supporting the weight of the motor and bracket.

I’m sure I have seen similar outboard brackets with a little block and tackle to raise them but would like to see some pics before I try to design my own system.

Has anyone got one, seen one, or know where I can go to look at something similar?

 

[Pye_End]

Don't have one now, but did, so no photos I am afraid.

It had a small tackle, just attached to the guard rail I think, and the top of the bracket. One problem I did have was that if you pulled too much the top of the bracket came out of its runners, and it was a pig to put back in. Don't know if this is still the design, but I drilled and pinned the top of the runners after that incident.

 

[MonniotC]

Having struggled with a similar bracket for years, I can only say that investing in a spring-loaded one was money well spent.

 

[VicS]

What you really need the sprung cantilever brackets like the one below.

The engine on it at the moment is a little on the heavy side for it and the springs are getting a bit tired but when new and with lighter engine it required almost no effort to lift it , in fact need a little push to get it right down.
There are heavier models and I ought to replace it really but I am afraid it will have to see me out now.

 

[Nigel_Ward]

My Dehler 22 has a 4:1 block and tackle with a clamcleat to hold the engine up.

Unfortunately I only have a photo with the engine raised but you can just see the top block behind the engine.

The bottom block is attached to the cross bar between the two tracks.

 

[Haven't-a-Clue]

I want one of those.........the engine in question tips the scales at 49kg, so what model might be suitable, about how much should I expect to pay and where might I get one? I have tried google but without much success, prolly using the wrong words I expect.

edit, replying to VicS

 

[Lakesailor]

Like this? Outboard Bracket

 

[VicS]

I want one of those.........the engine in question tips the scales at 49kg

Google for "outboard bracket" and you will find them suitable for engines up to 25hp/55kg
Youll find prices from under £100 to over £200, not that I would not feel inclined to trust some of the cheaper ones. (like the one LS has found)

THIS looks better

OR THESE

Some beefy looking ones on the US market. http://www.iboats.com/Adjustable-Ou...0214220--session_id.350565435--view_id.217143

Mine I think is rated for up to 8hp. The 6 hp Evinrude on it weighs in at 27.4kg. A little closer to what I would image would be suitable for the OP's Copland Harrier

 

[Gunfleet]

see me out - thread hijack with apologies

There are heavier models and I ought to replace it really but I am afraid it will have to see me out now.

What age do you think we start thinking this in earnest? I'm just under 60 but must admit, when I bought a new car this year I did think... I wonder if I can make this one last me out? As for the boat...

 

[William_H]

OB bracket

There is another option which is to fit bungee (shock) elastic cord to the bracket to assist you to lift the motor. The thickest bungee with several turns ie like a 4 purchase pulley can give a lot of elastic power.
You need to run the bungee around something smooth at top and bottom. However a pulley system
would perhaps be best.
My OB bracket is very similar in design to VicS photo. Except I think it was home made. Actually made by the boat builder but as the boat was a prototype effectively home made. The down side of this type is that when the motor is down low it is also extended out from the transom. This gives greater leverage and load in the transom and the bracket. It gets heavy when low and hard to reach to lift. If I used nit more I would fit a pulley sytem.
Now Vic I was going to comment about words like "Seeing out my days" (and not the first time) I know what you mean but think you should act like there is a lifetime ahead if you. Likewise Gunfleet don't worry about old age it will come soon enough just not yet for while. Always keep it just beyond the horizon.
olewill

 

[aquaplane]

Pulley system

Thanks for all the input so far.

Perhaps if I was starting from scratch I would get one of those spring loaded jobbies, Aquaplane had one and it worked OK.

I'm wondering if the existing bracket was chosen for lightness, it's a trail sailer and everything else seems to be pared down weight wise

Since I already have a bought and paid for bracket, with all the holes in the transom filled with bolts and not leaking, I'm reluctant to buy another bracket and drill more holes in my transom. The motor can always stay in the water if push comes to shove.

I still want to have a go with a little block and tackle. I tried to jury rig a lash up with the kicker last night but it wasn't very good, the mounting point was a bit flimsy and there was a lot of friction. I did take some pics though, but not of the lash up. One problem is the lack of any mounting point above the bracket. Back to the drawing board.

 

[Gunfleet]

Now Vic I was going to comment about words like "Seeing out my days" (and not the first time) I know what you mean but think you should act like there is a lifetime ahead if you. Likewise Gunfleet don't worry about old age it will come soon enough just not yet for while. Always keep it just beyond the horizon.
olewill

I was thinking of the £20,000 more than anything!

 

[prv]

One problem is the lack of any mounting point above the bracket. Back to the drawing board.

Looking at your photo, what I'd do is weld up a little upside-down-L-shaped bracket. Bolt the long side to the transom and fit a small block under the tip of the short side. But then not everyone has a MIG welder in their shed and an old stainless fuel tank to chop up for free material.

Pete

 

[aquaplane]

A bit of an update.

I have polished the groves and lugs that slide up and down with a scourer and then rubbed candle wax all over the mating surfaces. The friction is much reduced so I'm going to see if it makes enough difference when used in anger.

 

[rogerthebodger]

If you mount a bullet block

on the top of your transom and run a line from the cross bar over the block to you deck winch it should then be very easy to winch up the motor and bracket

 

[Quandary]

Outboard Bracket

I have a cast alloy sliding version broadly similar to Nigels photo above, sound but much older and cosmetically not nearly as good, needs painting. Last used many years ago on a Trapper 300 with an 8 horse Ob. If any one wants it and is willing to pay carriage, I will hunt it out of the garage and take a photo.

 

[minsted]

I have one of these on a Folkboat - which works very well, pulls up with a block and tackle

http://folkboat.wedoithost.eu/shop/4560-outboard-bracket-p-454.html


... but came with the boat and I can't believe how expensive a replacement would be.

 

[aquaplane]

If you mount a bullet block

on the top of your transom and run a line from the cross bar over the block to you deck winch it should then be very easy to winch up the motor and bracket

I hadn't thought of using a winch, I was looking at getting an advantage with a block and tackle, but the winch idea could work. One of the hard bits doing it manually was letting the top edge of the bracket fall back to drop in the holder, without the whole job droping and without me falling over the stern.