Outboard engine transport. Problem?

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jack-davies

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Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum so il start by introducing myself! I'm jack and I'm hoping to get some advice and ideas from you.
I'm currently in my second year of sixth form, and I'm studying product design as one of my a levels. Now I have a small boat and 8hp 4 stroke outboard, however I'm no expert and I'm fairly new to the sport. I'm wondering how everyone transports their outboard motors around the house and/or to the water.
I was thinking of making a system to transport the motor in a vehicle to the beach safely. Or even a trolley type system to get the motor from the car to the beach and onto the boat ( as I will be leaving the boat at the beach through the summer ).
This was just my initial idea, as I know the outboards are heavy and can be awkward to carry. However if anyone has any other suggestions or maybe problems that you might get to do with your boat or engine it would be much appreciated. Thanks :)
 
I usually use a marina trolley if moving the outboard from the car to the boat.

The main problem with most trolleys is that the centre of gravity is in the wrong place.
A lot of the weight of an outboard is in the powerhead, and this usually high up.

If I had an outboard trolley, I would want it to be more like my luggage: not trying to fall on top of me or running away.

.
 
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jack-davies said:
Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum so il start by introducing myself! I'm jack and I'm hoping to get some advice and ideas from you.
I'm currently in my second year of sixth form, and I'm studying product design as one of my a levels. Now I have a small boat and 8hp 4 stroke outboard, however I'm no expert and I'm fairly new to the sport. I'm wondering how everyone transports their outboard motors around the house and/or to the water.
I was thinking of making a system to transport the motor in a vehicle to the beach safely. Or even a trolley type system to get the motor from the car to the beach and onto the boat ( as I will be leaving the boat at the beach through the summer ).
This was just my initial idea, as I know the outboards are heavy and can be awkward to carry. However if anyone has any other suggestions or maybe problems that you might get to do with your boat or engine it would be much appreciated. Thanks :)
Click to expand...

Morning Jack, welcome to the forum.

I'll follow the thread with interest. Whilst there are a few commercial trolleys on the market, none really do the job properly. Whilst I think ultimately, the only real way to move them around is with lots of lifting and grunting, I'm sure with alittle fresh thinking, something can be done.

Where I berth in Mercury, I see lots of people (mainly quite elderly) struggling with outboards and tenders, trying to get to their boats which are berth on buoys mid river.

Good luck with your project.
 
Hi Jack
Theres plenty of comments about trolleys already but remember if you lay it down it must be done on the proper side (depends on make/model which side) as the oil will run out or down the inlet into the cylinders on 4 stroke motors, you can lay a 2 stroke either side.
If new to boating and going off a beach do a bit of reading up (day skipper theory course is useful) as it's very easy to get caught out in quite benign looking conditions, tidal rips/races/overfalls can all be a problem if unexpected and with an offshore breeze it gets bumpier the further you go out.
Good luck and take care. (and always make your sacrifice to the gods when you see an rnli collection tin)
 
Sorry for the late reply. Thanks for all the replies I will gladly take all the advice and input on board ( no pun intended! ). I will have a look at what's already on the market. I agree that with a bit of thought I could hopefully develope the idea. The reason for the post was to just see whether the idea was worth carrying forward and I'm happy your input. If anyone has any suggestions they'll be much appreciated. Thanks a lot
 
Sounds like Jack is up for a challenge but it looks like the original problem may not be one that is open to solving within the scope of an Upper VI project (or ever).

If forumites could suggest some simple challenges of everyday boating of the ( ... I'm sure if I had time I could make this easier / safer / cheaper ... ) variety I'm sure the crowd sourced wisdom of the forum combined with Jack's enthusiasm to make it happen could result in some innovation.

For starters ... A seagull scarer that actually scares seagulls. (I'd settle for making the seagulls even slightly apprehensive and work from there).
 
Lower Limit 1909 said:
Sounds like Jack is up for a challenge but it looks like the original problem may not be one that is open to solving within the scope of an Upper VI project (or ever).

If forumites could suggest some simple challenges of everyday boating of the ( ... I'm sure if I had time I could make this easier / safer / cheaper ... ) variety I'm sure the crowd sourced wisdom of the forum combined with Jack's enthusiasm to make it happen could result in some innovation.

For starters ... A seagull scarer that actually scares seagulls. (I'd settle for making the seagulls even slightly apprehensive and work from there).
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I need! Every day problems on the water would be a good start. I'm open to any ideas.
I actually do like that idea, as it is a genuine problem. However I'm not sure if it would go down well in the school with wildlife involved! Thanks for input :)
 
Jack
I admire your ambitions and keen thinking...especially as a tired mid life engineer who finds himself in a job with less of an engineering input, but more of a highly paid admin and clerical specialist....haha.
Although there are many devices out there to deal with your suggestion....might i encourage you not to give up on inspirational thinking. It's young British engineering minded folk like yourself who have shaped out modern world...and we shouldn't forget it.
Now....if you could just turn your attention to somehow altering the weather to permit a longer boating season in the UK...that would be just grand....no pressure and as soon as you like!
 
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