Heavy outboard difficult to tilt.

[mrvygore]

Hello I have a honwave 3.8 and a 20 hp Honda. I find the engine difficult to tilt when entering shallow water. It doesn't have a power tilt obviously so any suggestions to make life a a bit easier before I pull a muscle lol.

[mrvygore]

Not sure about the Honda, but on my mariner you can tilt the engine by pushing down on the tiller rather than trying to pull up the back of the engine and that is far easier as you can just use your weight to move it.
Also, make sure you aren’t trying to move forwards at the same time or you have to push / pull against the force of the engine as well as its weight.

[Cliff]

Not sure about the Honda, but on my mariner you can tilt the engine by pushing down on the tiller rather than trying to pull up the back of the engine and that is far easier as you can just use your weight to move it.
Also, make sure you aren’t trying to move forwards at the same time or you have to push / pull against the force of the engine as well as its weight.

Personally would not advise using the tiller as a lever. I don't have a honda, but the tohatsu is well balanced as you reach over and pull the top of the cowl towards you. if you are having trouble getting it to the very top notch, put it into forward gear while stopped and then it will locate. at least it does on my Tohatsu.

[Paul]

I've had an BF Honda and found it not the easiest or well balanced OB to tilt
Maybe worth checking that the pivot shaft is well greased up and that the pivot shaft retaining nuts haven't been over tightened if it's an older/2nd hand motor

[mrvygore]

Most of the manufacturers advise specifically not to use the tiller for tilting, but to actually reach over and use the grab handle to put the outboard on shallow drive/tilt.

As Paul quotes, a little grease may well assist...

Martin

[mrvygore]

Thanks for the info - engine is new so should be fine - the problem is is that there is a indented grab handle but is located quite low at the back of the engine, I haven't used the the top lift because it can pull the top cover off and is not advised in the manual. Wish I had got a power tilted model now.

[mrvygore]

You can see the grab indentation in this picure its low and hArd to get to. https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=honda ... nK1TrYZ0tM:

[harrison]

A combined air intake/hand hold recess at the top rear of the hood is provided as a means to assist tilting by most, if not all manufacturers. Would be very difficult to tilt without using this handhold and, as previously mentioned not recommended to use tiller.
Seems odd Honda are advising not to use this. Could it be Honda are recommending not using this handhold to lift the outboard when not on the boat.

[warder54]

I would say that the top vent/handle is fine to use for tilting as you are not taking the full weight of the outboard. I've used this to tilt all of my previous outboards including a not too well balanced, heavy Parsun 9.8 - which was otherwise a great and reliable outboard.

[chris moody]

Can you show us a photo of the page in the manual about not using the grab point / air intake on the hood. If we see exactly what Honda say we might be able to advise better.

Thanks for the info - engine is new so should be fine - the problem is is that there is a indented grab handle but is located quite low at the back of the engine, I haven't used the the top lift because it can pull the top cover off and is not advised in the manual. Wish I had got a power tilted model now.