Golfisher Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 This spring I'll be re-acquainting myself with the shield lakes of Ontario, having missed them longingly since moving to Nova Scotia a few years ago. The Chapleau camp where I and my fishing buddy will be staying has a few surrounding lakes where boats are kept, but we have to haul in a small outboard weighing around 45 lb. I've done this before a few times, but it was always a pain in the butt just grabbing and carrying the motor by the handle and the shaft--and I am not getting any younger. There must be a better way to carry the motor through the trails into portage lakes. Any suggestions? Some sort of backpack? A cart? Strapped to a pole carried by two? Hire a Sherpa? I hadn't been active in the board since moving away, but I've still been lurking around, and will post a report of the trip, which has been made possible in part by Mike and his exhaustive knowledge of fishing camps in ON. That man knows his stuff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky or Specks Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 (edited) I carry my 15 hp using a two wheel dolly and bungee cords. Large pneumatic tire style not solid tire. I do portages of anywhere from half a k and under with this set up. Edited March 8, 2012 by Musky or Specks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NAW Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 I'm thinking some sort of back pack. Maybe cut a hole in the bottom of an old back pack for the shaft to stick out? Or make some sort of rig that you can strap the motor too? I know my arms would get pretty soar carring a 45lb motor around the bush. I know there are harnesses you can get for lifting motors, but I don't know where, and how much they cost.. You might be able to modify one to attached to a back back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom McCutcheon Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 Don't use the "strapped to a pole" method. We carried two 9.9 motors in to a remote lake once. One person just slung it over his shoulder and walked along. The other motor was clamped to a pole and carried by two people on their shoulders. The one on the pole was a Pain in the ass. It bounced and swung around and the pole wore holes in our shirts in the shoulder area. We had to stop a number of times to switch shoulders and take a break. The other guy who just carried it in to the lake had two pike in the boat by the time we arrived. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ThisPlaceSucks Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 i have an old 5hp merc i carry with one of these... works great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 ^^^Yep, use a pack board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 This spring I'll be re-acquainting myself with the shield lakes of Ontario, having missed them longingly since moving to Nova Scotia a few years ago. The Chapleau camp where I and my fishing buddy will be staying has a few surrounding lakes where boats are kept, but we have to haul in a small outboard weighing around 45 lb. I've done this before a few times, but it was always a pain in the butt just grabbing and carrying the motor by the handle and the shaft--and I am not getting any younger. There must be a better way to carry the motor through the trails into portage lakes. Any suggestions? Some sort of backpack? A cart? Strapped to a pole carried by two? Hire a Sherpa? I hadn't been active in the board since moving away, but I've still been lurking around, and will post a report of the trip, which has been made possible in part by Mike and his exhaustive knowledge of fishing camps in ON. That man knows his stuff! Glad I could help Eddie, or at least inspire you. Which lake did you end up booking? PM me if you want. As far as the outboard goes Dr. Sal has the right idea. 45lb's can be carried quite easily on a packboard. Fortunately it's a 2 stroke motor. While I loved my little 4 stroke 2hp Honda for that kind of stuff it leaked oil all over the place unless you carried it upright. Which is impossible on long carries through the bush. I resorted to draining the oil before the carry then topping it back up when I reached the lake. Big pita, but necessary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Lk Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 I like to keep it simple,I use a old boat cushion for padding & carry the motor on my shoulder. I'm not getting any younger but this still works for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nemo Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 Depends how long the portage is. But we use a life jacket for padding our shoulders and tie a rope/leather strap to the motor so that we can sling it over our shoulder. Easiest way to carry it and it keeps your hands free for rods and paddles etc. Also close the gas line off or disconnect the gas line and run it dry before the portage. Also try to position it in an upright fashion when carrying. We carried one upside down and it flooded the carb with gas. It was a bugger to start for the rest of the trip. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Nemo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camillj Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 The got some pretty fancy (two wheel) Wheel barrow's now too (just saying) ... could toss some other gear in there as well ... little easier on the back and the one I bought at HH has great big soft tires, sponge handle bar (and a HUGE tub)... can pretty much move 200lb of gear with one hand and still very stable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 The got some pretty fancy (two wheel) Wheel barrow's now too (just saying) ... could toss some other gear in there as well ... little easier on the back and the one I bought at HH has great big soft tires, sponge handle bar (and a HUGE tub)... can pretty much move 200lb of gear with one hand and still very stable That's a great idea especially if there's a decent trail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ThisPlaceSucks Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 That's a great idea especially if there's a decent trail. That would be the downfall for me. Most portage trails I frequent are single track and laced with boulders... definitely not friendly for anything on wheels like a wheelbarrow... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trevy727 Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 I carried my 10hp Honda on my shoulder but it was too heavy for anything over 1 km so I sold it. I saw backpacks being sold at the boat show in January at the Honda booth. They looked pretty sweet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 Over the shoulder from the front, I would be a little leery carrying something like that in a backpack over rough terrain. A slip and fall backwards and you can really screw your back up. If it's loose in your arms, you can drop it and save yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acountdeleted Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 When I was working for the MNR in Thunder Bay and we had to portage our gear into the lakes we often found the best (and cheapest) way to bring the motors to the lake were by tightening them on to a 2x4 then throwing the 2x4 over our shoulders. (Requires 2 people though) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralph Field Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 I like your original " hire a Sherpa" idea. All of the other suggestions sound like too much work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 Over the shoulder from the front, I would be a little leery carrying something like that in a backpack over rough terrain. A slip and fall backwards and you can really screw your back up. If it's loose in your arms, you can drop it and save yourself. It's by far the easiest way to carry a small motor, unless you have forearms like Popeye. Using your back is way easier. Personally carrying the thing with my arms in front of me kills my back on long portages. Most guys will routinely carry waaaay more weight in their backpack on canoe trips anyway. 45lb's is a piece of cake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 Over the shoulder from the front, I would be a little leery carrying something like that in a backpack over rough terrain. A slip and fall backwards and you can really screw your back up. If it's loose in your arms, you can drop it and save yourself. Not a very good idea if you want that motor to survive.. Would be no problem on a decent path, but if you are humping a motor through dense brush, you won't get very far... Mike and I did a horrible portage a few years ago, I humped that little 4 stroke of his by the handle like carrying a suit case.. Not the best, but if I had to drop it, it was only going 1-2ft as most. The Sportspal was even more fun!! But the 10lb+ walleyes we caught were well worth it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky or Specks Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 Its costly but Make your son carry it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ThisPlaceSucks Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 i'm working on it! that and drilling my holes in winter! but he's only 2 and a half! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 Mike and I did a horrible portage a few years ago, I humped that little 4 stroke of his by the handle like carrying a suit case.. Not the best, but if I had to drop it, it was only going 1-2ft as most. The Sportspal was even more fun!! But the 10lb+ walleyes we caught were well worth it! You know it brother. Its costly but Make your son carry it HAHA! Good idea in about 10 years. Mine is still only 5. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfisher Posted March 8, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 Thanks guys for the replies. It looks like a packboard is the way to go. I have an old, heavy-duty camping backpack that I can probably modify to carry the motor. If it doesn't work when I get to the camp, I'll let my fishing buddy do the hauling. Glad I could help Eddie, or at least inspire you. Which lake did you end up booking? PM me if you want. I settled on Embarrass. I wanted to go all the way to Abamasagi and ATV-in, but my fishing buddy thought it was too far. So, he gets to haul in the motor for wimping out. Its costly but Make your son carry it Great solution for those who have a son, but I got none. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solopaddler Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 Great stuff, I'll be looking forward to hearing how you make out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky or Specks Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 (edited) Thanks guys for the replies. It looks like a packboard is the way to go. I have an old, heavy-duty camping backpack that I can probably modify to carry the motor. If it doesn't work when I get to the camp, I'll let my fishing buddy do the hauling. I settled on Embarrass. I wanted to go all the way to Abamasagi and ATV-in, but my fishing buddy thought it was too far. So, he gets to haul in the motor for wimping out. Great solution for those who have a son, but I got none. You can make one now and thousands of dollars and years from now.... VOILA instant(not) motor carrying device. matter of fact you can name them that and that way he won't be in shock when it comes time to fulfill his god given purpose. You can see why when we were watching tv last week and I was speaking with my son regarding a show and was searching for a word to describe the emotional relationship between a father a son(the word I was searching for was paternal) My son quipped "hatred??" LOL Edited March 8, 2012 by Musky or Specks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EddieNorth Posted March 9, 2012 Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 Do what solopadler did,,,,,,get your buddy to carry it,,,,doh Lmao Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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