Where to get a simple outboard hoist?

Rivers & creeks

Rivers & creeks

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I need to make a simple outboard hoist - it weighs 30kg which is too heavy to lift up from the dinghy below. It lives on a bracket hung off the stern and my plan was to use a piece of stainless tubing, straight for the first 4 feet until it reaches the handrail, then bend it over the next two feet by about 8 inches. Now I'm getting cold feet after researching how difficult it is to bend stainless tube! Am I being a wuss and actually it's not as difficult to do, or is there a simple off the shelf solution? Lots of cheapest davits about but only in pairs and they project outwards far too much.
Thanks.

Sorry I should say I looked at the "easy lift" products and they are either too expensive at almost £400 or not long enough for the cheap model as it needs to be taller than the handrail.
 
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I looked into this extensively last year as we have a 35kg outboard which we need to lift on an off the dinghy before sailing and it's always awkward. I could see lots of lovely options - none cheaper than about £400 as you say.

I ended up thinking that a second hand 2hp motor would actually be much cheaper and easier, and give me a chance to sell the 5hp if I found the 2hp did the job for a whole season. If not then the occasional lifting down of the 5hp would be ok.

Alas the world of gadget seeking took over and I ended up with the most pleasing boating gadget I've ever had, and I blew my budget totally. I now have a Torqueedo which I can lift down with one hand and assemble in a couple of seconds. 5hp gathering dust and will try to sell this spring. Refuel by putting into cigar lighter socket overnight and let an 1/8th of my domestic supply wind down if the Torqueedo is fully discharged, which it never is.
 
The budget alternative to proper bending and shaping of stainless tube is to use these fittings from SeaScrew:

tubefits.gif


https://www.seascrew.com/browse.cfm...---TUBE-FITTINGS--BOAT-HANDRAILS&l=0000000031

My gut feel is that a simple inverted L shape won't be strong enough at the bend, and would need a diagonal brace to support it. You can probably find a suitable combination of fittings that allows the brace to slide or disconnect and the horizontal arm to fold down.

Pete
 
I agree about the Torqeedo. But it won't push a 360 rib with two adults and two children at more than hull speed :)

prv said:
The budget alternative to proper bending and shaping of stainless tube is to use these fittings from SeaScrew:

My gut feel is that a simple inverted L shape won't be strong enough at the bend, and would need a diagonal brace to support it. You can probably find a suitable combination of fittings that allows the brace to slide or disconnect and the horizontal arm to fold down.

Pete
Click to expand...

That's an interesting idea. I agree about the strength of the L bracket but a reinforcing brace may do it.
 
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Lazy Kipper said:
I agree about the Torqeedo. But it won't push a 360 rib with two adults and two children at more than hull speed :)
Click to expand...
That is true - but our main use is for 3m rib with max 4 adults and shopping and we realised that as our motoring is almost all threading between anchored boats in a harbour or anchorage then we never get near full throttle anyway - even with the Torqueedo.

If we don't keep the 5hp hanging there then we do lose the ability to go off exploring tiny bays with short open sea passages - but have to be honest about how rarely we do that.

The expensive hoist I liked the look of most was a hinged thing that attached to a halyard and held the engine way out over the dinghy to allow it to drop in. When fully hoisted the engine is left permanently attached to it, instead of to a board on the pulpit.
 
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There's a chap based at Harry Kings (Pin Mill) who does a lot of stainless work. He has the bending gear and could very easily put that together for you with a diagonal welded in to add support. Give Gus a call and he'll put you in touch.
 
Salty John said:
You'll need 32mm tube and someone with a mandrel to bend it. Look for tube bending companies.
Click to expand...

I Googled thinking no chance and there are a number near Ipswich - cheers SJ

Champagne Murphy said:
There's a chap based at Harry Kings (Pin Mill) who does a lot of stainless work. He has the bending gear and could very easily put that together for you with a diagonal welded in to add support. Give Gus a call and he'll put you in touch.
Click to expand...

Will do - good tip thanks.
 
Do you have to lift it over the rail,?Most hoists for this purpose normally get it high enough so as to get the clamp bracket on a board on the rail .I have a Garhauer one based on a bit of Channel and what look like rudder pintles to allow it to pivot ,but it wasn't high enough to lift it inboard.image.jpg
We can bend 32mm tube ,do have some in stock too.
Cindy
 
wilkinsonsails said:
Do you have to lift it over the rail,?Most hoists for this purpose normally get it high enough so as to get the clamp bracket on a board on the rail .I have a Garhauer one based on a bit of Channel and what look like rudder pintles to allow it to pivot ,but it wasn't high enough to lift it inboard.View attachment 48087
We can bend 32mm tube ,do have some in stock too.
Cindy
Click to expand...

Yes, I see what you mean. Just high enough to get it go clamp on the brachet that sits just above the level of the teak handrail that runs round the top of the stanchions.
 
Tam Lin said:
It is, he converted her to a sloop this year. It's amazing what you read on the motor sailer thread!
Click to expand...

True. She sails better for it, much less weather helm. Way less string and wire and we don't miss the pocket handkerchief sized mizzen. LK was built as a sloop and badly converted later.
 
prv said:
The budget alternative to proper bending and shaping of stainless tube is to use these fittings from SeaScrew:

tubefits.gif


https://www.seascrew.com/browse.cfm...---TUBE-FITTINGS--BOAT-HANDRAILS&l=0000000031

My gut feel is that a simple inverted L shape won't be strong enough at the bend, and would need a diagonal brace to support it. You can probably find a suitable combination of fittings that allows the brace to slide or disconnect and the horizontal arm to fold down.

Pete
Click to expand...

I've made a hoist for the outboard using these sort of fittings and 25mm ss tube. It's a simple L shape with a bracing strut at about 35 degrees below the horizontal. It's also braced with a wire from the horizontal arm down to the pushpit so as to stop the upright taking all the weight. However, it's for a lighter engine than the OP who would need to use thicker tubing to support the weight, certainly for the upright but not necessarily for the 'boom' and supporting arm. I use a simple 4 to 1 set of pulleys for the hoist and a homemade harness for the engine (made from 25mm nylon or polyester webbing).

I'd include a photo but can't find one and the boat's in Greece at the moment.
 
We'd have to lift it back over the railing to get it on the bracket. Then in again to take it to the boom, etc etc. With the mizzen it might have worked though.
 
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