Paralift........

[Liberator*21]

If the PARALIFT was still available, would you buy one ?

Would you be interested in seeing it come back on the market maybe a little lighter in weight ?

[XstreamVking]

I have run a para-lift on my flats boats for years. Installed many over the years on others boats. Really believe that if your boat can use the setback, it's the best lift for it's weight ever. I would buy a new one without hesitation. They will safely handle more than the rated max.motor wt. of 500#. (have a 225 opti on mine) Upgrade the bolts that hold it together is only change I see that's needed. Originally designed by Steve Porta when he worked at mercury, I think. He now makes his own line of excellent lifts that are bullet proof....

[loop]

Scott Ehni from Houston,Texas filed for a patent in Dec 1988. It was granted in Jan 1990. Patent #4890811 (look it up) http://www.wikipatents.com/US-Patent-4890811/outboard-motor-mounting-means-for-boats/Page-1. He was producing them himself out of his fab shop,EhPro custom fab
Its my understanding that mercury decided to build their version(paralift) sometime AFTER that. Obviously their not IDENTICAL but you cant deny the basic design.
Scott asked them to stop. Long story short,mercury had more lawyers than Scott so they kept building them. He offered to sell or license the patent to them but they werent interested. He was no threat to them.
Scott was very involved with the HGCMA boat racing club. He raced MOD-VP in the 80's. First in a Sleekcraft,then a Mirage, then a boat that he designed and built himself. I believe all were Yamaha powered.
Scott is a helluva nice guy.I havent spoken with him in years. I hope he doesnt mind me telling the story and I hope its accurate

[afr]

yes sure would

If the PARALIFT was still available, would you buy one ?

Would you be interested in seeing it come back on the market maybe a little lighter in weight ?

[bretter]

Does it matter that when you raise the motor up you loose setback? I thought about putting a Porta on the fastcat.

[Liberator*21]

Bretter,

Nice vid with the blue LED's.......:thumbsup::thumbsup:

I'd assume it would if your dialed in with a specific set back number & shaft height. But I'm sure that it could be engineered to provide the proper set back at a known specific height, but that could prove to be a nightmare because of all the variables between boats and what they need, you'd end up with everyone being custom made. Because of the design, (arc/pivot movement), motor would be in close when in the down position and at full up position, the proper set back and height at that given position could be obtained, but if it's raised any more than that it would start to come back in towards the boat because of it's arc movement. There's always a trade off some where, ya wanna play, ya gotta pay.

[Greg G]

231127231128So does that mean that Scott Porta did in fact build them on behalf of Mercury even if it was Scott's design? I have run them, there are actually two weight ratings, one is 425 and one is rated at 500. We have a 500 currently that we swapped in Grade 8 bolts to and are preparing to mount on an Ultra 23XS. I plan on stripping the Paralift and having it powdercoated to stand up to the saltwater as best it can. They are made out of Stainless and are heavy, about 60lbs if memory serves me.

[bretter]

Thanks Gary,

I see what you mean about the setup.

[gmacrae]

Bretter,

Nice vid with the blue LED's.......:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Hell Yes!! Looks like an oxygen flame - get someone to video it following or riding alongside :thumbsup:

[Greg G]

Does anyone know if the Paralift started with a 500lb rating and then was forced to lower it to 425, or did they start with a 425lb and then beef the later units up to accept 500lbs? I'm wondering if it will be able to handle my Evinrude 250 3.3L

[loop]

Dont know anything about Steve Porta or his employment history. The argument Scott Ehni had was with mercury Marine. And yes it does appear that they built an earily similar version of Scott's patented design. Aside from what looks like an integrated pump/cylinder and maybe the lengths of the cantilever arms they look almost identical.
The Porta brackets that are currently made look like a nice piece.
I just believe that Scott deserves the credit for the original design. Its extremely unlikely that he stole the design from mercury but very possible that they stole it from him

231127231128So does that mean that Scott Porta did in fact build them on behalf of Mercury even if it was Scott's design? I have run them, there are actually two weight ratings, one is 425 and one is rated at 500. We have a 500 currently that we swapped in Grade 8 bolts to and are preparing to mount on an Ultra 23XS. I plan on stripping the Paralift and having it powdercoated to stand up to the saltwater as best it can. They are made out of Stainless and are heavy, about 60lbs if memory serves me.

[tux974]

This was the Porta bracket I had and it was an awesome piece!
http://i55.tinypic.com/5e5zev.jpg
http://i51.tinypic.com/11hazvn.jpg

[Liberator*21]

Great pics Tux. That's one design I haven't seen before, very interesting. Was it all aluminum, stainless or a combination of both ?

[tux974]

Material combo if I remember correctly. Some of the hinge mech was S/S but mostly aluminum. Great product!
BTW, I believe it was designed mostly for the flats boat.

[Liberator*21]

Thanks, I sorta noticed that with the lower mounting, you've got an automatic Skid Pad..........

[XstreamVking]

With these extreme setback and long travel plates, I usually set the plate where the motor is the desired ht. in relation to the bottom when the plate is at full setback position. There is 13" of travel with the paralift, 18" with the small porta plate. The original paralift was rated lower than the newer one. I believe due to a smaller lift motor on the original design. I may be wrong about Steve Porta designing the original paralift, and the patent holder deserves the credit.

[Greg G]

231308That makes sense as I thought the Paralift had more capacity later in life. I have had two and the current one we swapped out the bolts for Grade 8's. As for Porta Bracket, they are an excellent boutique builder. If you tell them the application they will build for it. They are not afraid of offshore applications as Scott Porta has a lot of offshore experience. Are they expensive? Yes, about $3k shipped as opposed to the $300 I paid for my Paralift. Porta is a little tough to deal with, not good on f/u or marketing but perhaps they don't need to be. The next alternative is from Dana Marine and its higher in price then Porta Bracket so go figure. I'm going to have my Paralift powder coated and use if for a 3.3L Rude so we'll if it can handle that this season. Used it with a Promax 225 and the unit performed flawlessly. I'm hoping to get lucky with the Rude.

[FUJIMO]

I've known Scott since 1981, when he first came to me & introduced his new Porta Lift. He was the first design out there & a little before his time, but did sell quite a few right away to the flats boat market here in Florida & the islands. Also some to the multi-outboard offshore crowd that he designs & builds as a full transom width, one piece unit, for up to 4 motors. I believe it was the best design out there then, and still is to this day. It functions perfectly & is comepletely servicable after many years in the saltwater envirement. Scott happens to be a great guy too.

[tux974]

I've known Scott since 1981, when he first came to me & introduced his new Porta Lift. He was the first design out there & a little before his time, but did sell quite a few right away to the flats boat market here in Florida & the islands. Also some to the multi-outboard offshore crowd that he designs & builds as a full transom width, one piece unit, for up to 4 motors. I believe it was the best design out there then, and still is to this day. It functions perfectly & is comepletely servicable after many years in the saltwater envirement. Scott happens to be a great guy too.

:iagree: Awesome unit, great design and very easy to service :thumbsup:
Scott, quoted me $2700 for a complete custom built twin application unit. I thought that was fair for he was building.

[Greg G]

Paralift Parts and Description ...............


Part # Description Price Qty
- 18286A18 SWITCH KIT, Trim (10.00 Feet) $69.38
- 18286A19 SWITCH KIT, Trim (25.00 Feet) $70.31
- 832023T1 POWER TRIM ASSEMBLY, Oildyne Motor | (Use on 818143A4 Eaton Motor) $800.51
- 832023T1 POWER TRIM ASSEMBLY, Oildyne Motor | (Use on 81843A6 Oildyne Motor) $800.51
- 818143T6 LIFT KIT-ENGINE | (Eaton Motor) $1,413.59
- 818143T6 LIFT KIT-ENGINE | (Oildyne Motor) $1,413.59
1 28782 SCREW, (.312-18 x .880) Stainless Steel $1.13
2 56720 WASHER, (.330 x .750 x .060) Stainless Steel $0.82
3 818739 COVER PLATE $47.72
4 74759 WASHER, (.391 x .880 x .125) Stainless Steel $5.40
5 88238A10 CABLE ASSEMBLY, Ground $3.08
6 817698A2 ARM KIT, Pivot $411.79
7 847803 BUSHING, (2.80 Inch) Bronze $22.51
8 847804 BUSHING, Black Delrin $19.09
9 847803A1 BUSHING KIT, Complete $321.38
10 847803 BUSHING, (2.80 Inch) Bronze $22.51
11 847804 BUSHING, Black Delrin $19.09
12 82670910 NUT, (.312-18) Stainless Steel $2.85
13 54012 WASHER, (.530 x .870 x .105) Stainless Steel $1.20
14 35000 NUT, (.500-20) Stainless Steel $4.58
15 826709117 NUT, (.500-20) Stainless Steel $4.20
16 822274 SCREW, (.500-20 x 2.610) $32.33
16 822275 SCREW, (.500-20 x 2.330) $32.33
17 818298Q1 ANODE KIT $11.44
18 8267098 NUT, (.250-20) Stainless Steel $2.70
19 455611 SCREW, (.250-20 x 1.120) $1.05
20 818150 ANGLE $57.44
21 817703 BRACKET, Transom $442.61
22 92710 SCREW, (.500-20 x 5.00) $15.10
23 28421 WASHER, (1.5 x 3.05 x 0.13) Stainless Steel $1.43
24 821200 SPACER $6.26
25 8211991 LATCH, Trim $87.17
26 677551 SCREW, (.500-20 x 4.500) $6.90
27 818221 SCREW, (.500-20 x 2.250) $6.03
28 54012 WASHER, (.530 x .870 x .105) Stainless Steel $1.20
29 35000 NUT, (.500-20) Stainless Steel $4.58
30 818224 SCREW, (#12-11 x 1.750) $2.18
31 813939A4 RELAY ASSEMBLY $126.05
32 92152T SPACER $3.08
33 818143T1 BRACKET $490.18
34 95084A19 CABLE ASSEMBLY, Fuse $3.15
35 818194 SPLASH PLATE $56.70

[rock]

I have one on my shelf that is not being used and could probably be bought.
Rock

[Greg G]

How much would you like to get for it if you still have it?

[rock]

It belongs to a friend. I will find out.
Rock