Iron Mike Raddatz & the Mighty Engine

What a time Mike and I had this weekend!  We arrived Thursday evening for an early start installing the motor Friday morning. As a  sign we are getting wiser in our years we asked Mark the Boat Yard manager to first have his crew hoist this engine stand into the boat as a single piece with the large truck mounted crane they have on site. Then they lifted the motor and lastly the transmission. Mike came up with the supports layout. Then with the use of a chain-fall  we were able to jockey the engine into place. Positioned  above the motor mounts the crane lowered the new motor into the engine space and onto the motor mounts smoothly and easily.

Below is a picture of the engine resting on the mounts supported by the crane. I will leave the crane on board while fitting up all the accessories to the motor as it makes it easy to adjust the motor position.

Note the straps we used to hold the legs of the crane in place. Together with 2x10's the entire rig was completely stable. At all times we felt like we had control of the 800+ lb engine. This particular crane has folding legs which allowed us to get it into the boat pretty much in one piece. We did have to pull the black extension piece off while going through the companionway. But that was easily done and simple to put back.
Three pieces of 3/4" plywood were used as a landing and stage for the motor once it came in the companionway via the yards large crane. Mike and I crabbed the motor sideways over to the base of the smaller crane. There Mike hooked up the chain fall( round orange drum with chain hanging - upper part of photo)and we lifted the motor over the beds. Once free of the the plywood and 2x6" supports we removed the plywood from the boat -tossing it overboard so to speak and gently lowered the motor down into it's new home.
All and all it was a flawless days work.  Thanks again Mike for all your help!