OB motor lifter for Ranger 31S Tug

[OdinAllFather]

I’m buying a new 2023 Ranger Tug 31S but won’t be delivered until next August. I would like to know how owners or Ranger Tug install/use an OB motor lifter to lift it from dingy to mounting on stern platform railing. I assume it is not wise to leave the OB in place with the Weaver Dingy Davits. Thanks in advance, OdinAllFather

 

[Bruce Moore]

Bumping post delayed in moderation queue.

 

[Kimberly Dawn]

Check Sea Wise in Vancouver, BC. They offer an electric davit system that lowers dinghy and motor in same mechanical operation, rotating and splining motor from its stowed position onto motor bracket.

Bob
The Doghouse 2

 

[FlyMeAway]

We bought a Garhauer lift. It's the best value (extremely well built, relatively less expensive) in motor lifts. We have not installed it yet but plan to have it thru-bolted to the swim platform in the off season. I will report on how this goes. Total cost of crane + install will be about $700 (the crane itself was $350). If we were having the boat hauled this year I would probably do the install myself.

Check Sea Wise in Vancouver, BC. They offer an electric davit system that lowers dinghy and motor in same mechanical operation, rotating and splining motor from its stowed position onto motor bracket.

We looked at this. They are $5000+install, which we were quoted another $1-$2k on the electrical version. Literally an order of magnitude more than the crane.

 

[MV Toujours]

I’m buying a new 2023 Ranger Tug 31S but won’t be delivered until next August. I would like to know how owners or Ranger Tug install/use an OB motor lifter to lift it from dingy to mounting on stern platform railing. I assume it is not wise to leave the OB in place with the Weaver Dingy Davits. Thanks in advance, OdinAllFather

I have a Katolift 230 on order for my 31CB. I personally think it looks to be the most elegant lift, although it is a bit more pricey than the Garhauer.

I'll make a report after I get it in October.

 

[SgtAlf]

I wonder if the Garhauer lift could be mounted on a floating dock? Thoughts from those that have one?

 

[pwensinger]

I installed a Garhauer crane. Garhauer cranes come in several models but I think the max weight is 150 pounds so if you are planning on a big outboard, it may not work. We have a 3 hp. Besides helping with the outboard, we use it to swing the dingy up onto the Weaver davits.

 

[FlyMeAway]

I have a Katolift 230 on order for my 31CB. I personally think it looks to be the most elegant lift, although it is a bit more pricey than the Garhauer.

FWIW I will curious to see your report. We looked at the Katolift and price wasn't the consideration -- rather the shorter arm made it highly impractical to swing the motor through the rail opening in the middle of the swim platform. A sailboat I used to crew on had a Katolift though; they are sleek and impressive.

 

[ALICE J]

I have used a Saint Croix davit crane for the past eight years. I mounted it on the swim platform supported by the upper part of the transom I then bolted on the crane crane arm an electric ATV winch motor from Harbor Freight 12V added a dyneema line to avoid rust. The 12 V electric is taken from an installed plug on the inside of the transom. The crane arm swings outboard to the motor mounted on the transom of the dinghy. A motor harness is connected to the Dyneema line the remote picks a 15 hp motor off the dinghy swings it to an installed mount on the transom.

 

[OdinAllFather]

As a reply to my original post on OB motor lifter. I purchased a Forespar OB motor lifter from West Maine. It was about $700. The dealer installed it on the upright rail of the aft stern platform on my Ranger Tug 31S LE. It comes with a case that can be stored in the lazarette when not being used. It has a multiparty block and tackle. It can easily lift my 6 hp Yamaha (approx 52#s) and swivels to the side to go from dingy to stern platform and vice versa. I then have to physically lift the OB on to the stern mount of my Tug. I’m well pleased with it and should work well for me. Capt. Norm m/v Valhalla

 

[Cutwater28GG]

alternative viewpoint.

if you buy a 2.5hp suzuki you wont need a crane as its only 30lbs.

ask yourself do you really need a 4-10HP Outboard?

 

[dbsea]

alternative viewpoint.

if you buy a 2.5hp suzuki you wont need a crane as its only 30lbs.

ask yourself do you really need a 4-10HP Outboard?

I certainly need my 8hp! We travel pretty significant distances in it, crabbing, going to walk the dogs, hikes, etc. Being able to get up on plane and go 15-20kn is well worth it. We often go to the Seattle Yacht Club Henry Island outstation and it's nice to be able to zip over to Roche Harbor in a few minutes vs 30-40 mins...

 

[Rocky]

I had a 2.5 Yamaha. It was dependable and was better than rowing - but it wasn't much better than rowing. I upgraded to a 6HP Yamaha and have not looked back. It is much better than the the 2.5. Just having reverse "like a real boat" was worth the upgrade.

I also added a Garhauer Engine Davit. It works great. I did add a "stiffener" rail to tie the swim step rail to the aft rail around the cockpit. That was a necessity. The difference between the 30 lb 2.5 and the 60lb 6hp is significant when carrying it to a moving dinghy from the swim step.

That is my 2cents.

Thanks!

 

[dbsea]

I had a 2.5 Yamaha. It was dependable and was better than rowing - but it wasn't much better than rowing. I upgraded to a 6HP Yamaha and have not looked back. It is much better than the the 2.5. Just having reverse "like a real boat" was worth the upgrade.

I also added a Garhauer Engine Davit. It works great. I did add a "stiffener" rail to tie the swim step rail to the aft rail around the cockpit. That was a necessity. The difference between the 30 lb 2.5 and the 60lb 6hp is significant when carrying it to a moving dinghy from the swim step.

That is my 2cents.

Thanks!

I have the Garhauer crane as well, works great. I don't have a stiffener rail on my C30 though, but that's because I use the weaver standoffs which also provide some support, although that rail is probably not a bad idea. I have an 8hp two stroke yamaha from the 90s, they are pretty bulletproof, and you get a great HP to weight ratio, the 8hp only weighs about 55lbs!

 

[SKing]

Have you looked at the new electric motors. The battery lifts off separately making the whole motor easy to remove.

 

[JealousMistress]

If someone needs one, I have a very lightly used Garhauer lift I acquired from Brian Brown when he sold his Cutwater 26.
I found I did not need it with my 8 hp Yamaha.