Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
I currently have a 1986 9.9 two cycle Sea Horse 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. The admiral has given approval to purchase a 4 stroke with electric start and possibly a power tilt feature to get the prop out of the water without having to heave up on the mount but I'm concerned about clearance issues.
Would folks mind sharing what your using to keep your props dry without separating your shoulders?
my honda power tilt is great. no strain at all on my index finger :) plenty of clearance when tilted. I still have to lift the mount to clear all the way on port tacks, but the four spring lift works fine.
I may start looking at the spring lifts. The only power tilt I found locally was a Mercury @ $3400. Bass Pro carries Nissan but said the only power tilt they sold was Merc. I may have to talk to another employee.
Kyle, I installed a Garelick mount on my boat a few years back when I got a new Tohatsu outboard. It doesn't have power lift, and I will admit it's a bit of a pain to lift it myself, but Rita (who's 5' & 120lbs) can do it with some coaching.
Once my spring-loaded bracket (Fulton) was in the up position, I only needed to tilt the 108 lb. Honda 8 XLS one notch to get the skeg out of the water--not hard to do without power tilt. Today, I'd probably choose the Garhauer 4-spring bracket (available from CD) for easy lifting, long travel, and good clearance from the transom. I would probably skip the power tilt, although I loved my electric starter. (I'm currently 69 and getting weaker by the month... )
Lifting is the issue. My XLS doesn't clear the water without tilting, but the pivot point is fairly close to the center of mass. My pneumatic assisted lift was designed for 15hp 2 cycles. Lifting is getting tougher each year (so is lifting the pop top). I'm starting to think about a 2:1 block set or new bracket for the motor and a lift kit for the top.
A lot here for new sailors to take in and dissect.
If I can add a starter to my 9.9 I may stay with it and decide on a new mount. Of course I tend to over analyze things before I decide... It's no surprise it too us a year to find the "right" boat.
Get the 9.8 Tohatsu XLS (25" shaft) with electric start (93lbs.) and the 3 or 4 spring motor mount from CD. Three spring should be sufficient, with the 4 spring you may have to push the motor down to lock it in. You won't regret it. Motor is easy to tilt up. Should not need power tilt.
Because I do extended cruising 4-5 weeks with lots of motoring the power tilt helps a lot. The weight issue is always a discussion so decision of class rules for racing and cost plus age intering the list. I have all the extras with a 15hp thanks to dealer offer after ordering a 9.9 Honda with just extra long lower unit. Age is my factor as I turn 76 today and have a lot more cruises in my bucket.
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.