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 am 70 years old and lifting my 9.9 hp motor is difficult. Has anyone ever put a gas lift on a motor mount to make it easier to lift? OMC made one year ago but they are out of business. I have been trying to find a used one on eBay with no success. My next idea was to try mounting a gas lift on my current motor mount. Determining the right size could be a real challenge. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
ed - the Catalina Direct motor mounts can be ordered with different numbers of springs. The more springs built into the engine mount, the easier it is to lift the engine. Have you considered that option? You can buy a 4 spring mount. I have a 2 spring engine mount for my Mercury 9.9 four stroke and my wife and kids can lift the engine, perhaps a 4 spring will be enough stored energy to be enough for you?
Erik
Erik Cornelison 6th Generation Professional Sailor, First Gen Submarine Sailor. 1986 Standard Rig SW. #5234
Edited by - Erik Cornelison on 12/15/2019 13:51:49
Ah, to be 70 again... What do you have now? If it's primarily tubular stainless steel, it's a Garhauer like Catalina Direct sells, and a new CD mount would fit your current bolt holes. I don't know about adding springs to an older one--you could ask them. Adding a gas strut would have about the same effect, but with more engineering (and maybe some welding).
If your 9.9 is a 2-stroke, the CD 4-spring mount might be too much lift--you might have to stand on the motor to get it all the way down. They recommend the 4-spring for 95 lbs and above--that would be just about all 9+ hp 4-strokes. They recommend 3 springs for 80-95 lbs, which could include a 9.9 2-stroke.
Some folks have rigged a come-along between the stern rail and the bracket using a couple of double-blocks for 3:1 or 4:1 purchase.
Edit: Several folks have reported that lubricating the pivot points of the bracket can make a huge difference.
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
My Outboard motor is a 2 Cycle. The motor mount is stainless steel with 2 springs. I am guessing the springs have lost a lot of strength due to age. Adding or replacing the springs could be very challenging. Stinkpotter, thank you for the link to the axe-handle lever. This may be a simple solution. I will lubricate the pivot points and see if that helps. The alternative would be to replace the motor mount. Thank you for the suggestions.
My dad had something similar on our powerboat (didn't have power trim or tilt) he used to tilt up the 50hp 2 cycle Mercury outboard.
One day a guy was walking down the dock while my my dad was tilting up the motor and said "I see you have one of those "armstrong" handles to tilt your motor" (get it "arm strong" )! My dad nearly fell out of the boat laughing.
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.