Build An Outboard Motor Stand

Storing an outboard motor is an individual thing. Personally I like to hide my outboard motors, both when I store them at the cottage, and when I store them at home. That usually doesn't mean an outboard motor stand. However, stand's are popular and lots of people use them.

I do too, but not in the way you might think, but more of that later.

Outboard motor stands keep your motor upright, which allows them to drain properly, and keeps water from entering the engine compartment. They also make an excellent place to work on an outboard, keeping it upright, so you can stand to work on it. Of course, for many outboards these days, you would need a frigging big stand to hold them up, and a crane to lift the 175 horsepower off the stern of your speedboat. Probably better just to leave the motor on the boat in that case. Let's face it, a boat on a trailer is a pretty good outboard motor stand. But if you have a smaller outboard like me, a 15 horsepower Evinrude for example, a stand is practical.

Stands come in many shapes and sizes, and many double as an outboard mover, helping you move the outboard from storage to the boat or wherever. Here is a link to a plan that you might find useful, or at least inspire you to design and make your own. This is a vintage outboard motor cart but I believe it is still practical today. This is one of those oh so useful do-it-yourself ideas made popular by magazines like Popular Mechanics back in the 1950's and 1960's etc. I think the advantage of this one is the ability to move the outboard around because it is on wheels.

I'm not suggesting this is the best plan for an outboard motor stand/cart, but it looks practical. There are several plans available on the internet, so by all means search for more, you might find something more to your liking.

I mentioned earlier that I had a different use for an outboard motor stand, and I do. You'll also remember that I said I like to hide my outboard motors, which I do, there are far too many outboards stolen every year from basements, cottages and sheds for my liking, so I don't want to make it any easier for the bad guys than I have to. That's why I hide my motors. But....I do have an outboard motor stand in my cottage boat shed. It is very obviously for an outboard, and it is very visible to anyone who comes in the door. The only thing is, my outboards are never on it, unless I am working on them.

Why? Why you ask, would I have an outboard motor stand and not have my outboard standing on it? I am glad you asked.....

When a criminal type breaks into my boat shed, the first thing they are going to see is my outboard motor stand....but no motor....see where I am going with this? Of course you do. The nefarious cottage criminal sees the stand, realizes it is for outboard motors, and figures "uh-oh...too late, he's taken his outboard motor home."

Seeing the big prize isn't there, it is my hope that they leave, searching for an easier target, someone somewhere who has their shiny new outboard on display on a stand.....let's hope that is not you....

So by all means build a nice outboard motor stand. Stand it in the middle of your cottage, shed, or wherever, just don't leave a motor on it.....

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