Having owned various small boats over the years, I’ve often faced the perennial problem of handling the outboard motor. Moving it from storage to the boat, taking it in for service, or just finding a stable place to work on it in the garage can be a real struggle. This isn’t just inconvenient; a dropped motor could be severely damaged, leading to costly repairs or even replacement. Finding a dedicated outboard motor carrier seemed like a necessary step to protect my investment and my back.
- High Quality Material:Our boat engine cart was made of heavy duty metal with sturdy triangle construction,comfortable moulded rubber grips, durable and strong,black EDC treated steel frame.
- Eonvenientto Move:The outboard motor stand with 2 wheels,wich allow you move your boat motor will be easier,ergonomic soft-grip handle.
- 165LBS Weight Capacity:The outboard motor engine trolley stand can hold up to 165Lbs,is great for moving boat engines up to 30 HP for maintenance and repair.
What to Ponder Before Acquiring a Boat Motor Carrier
Before settling on a specific model, it’s important to consider the role an outboard motor carrier plays and whether you truly need one. These trolleys and stands are designed primarily to make transporting, maintaining, and storing your outboard motor much easier and safer. Hauling a heavy motor manually is not only difficult but also puts strain on your body and risks damaging the motor if you lose your grip.
The ideal customer for an outboard motor stand is typically someone who needs to move their motor periodically for storage, winterization, service, or swapping between boats. This includes boat owners, small repair shops, or even marina staff. If you have a very lightweight electric trolling motor, you might not need a heavy-duty stand like this, and a simpler storage solution might suffice. However, for gasoline outboards, even smaller ones, a stand offers invaluable stability for maintenance tasks like changing the lower unit oil or flushing the engine.
Key things to think about before buying include the weight of your motor (this is crucial!), the available storage space when the stand isn’t in use, how often you’ll be moving the motor and over what kind of terrain, and, of course, your budget. Pay close attention to the claimed weight capacity and consider getting a stand rated well above your motor’s actual weight for safety and longevity. Also, check the stand’s footprint and whether it folds down for storage.
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Introducing the ExGizmo Outboard Boat Motor Stand
Enter the ExGizmo Outboard Boat Motor Stand. This product promises to simplify the handling of your outboard motor with a claimed capacity of 165 lbs, making it suitable for many motors up to around 30 HP (depending on the specific motor’s weight). It arrives needing assembly, featuring a tubular steel frame, a hanger block for mounting the motor, durable wheels, and ergonomic handles. It’s designed to be a portable solution for repair, maintenance, storage, and transport. Compared to more expensive, heavy-duty shop stands or basic static stands, the ExGizmo aims to offer a balance of features and portability at a more accessible price point. It’s clearly targeting the casual boat owner rather than a professional shop with daily heavy use.
This specific outboard motor stand is best suited for individuals with smaller to medium-sized gasoline outboard motors who need a convenient way to move and store them without breaking the bank. It’s likely not the right choice for commercial operations, owners of very large or heavy motors, or those needing an extremely robust, industrial-grade piece of equipment.
Here’s a quick look at some advertised pros and potential cons based on the description and common expectations for this type of engine trolley:
Pros:
* Claims 165 lb capacity, suitable for many smaller motors.
* Features wheels and handles for portability.
* Folds down for easier storage.
* Provides a stable base for maintenance.
* Assembly is stated to be quick and easy.
Cons:
* Assembly required.
* Weight capacity claims should always be verified against real-world performance.
* Build quality can sometimes be a concern at this price point.
* Durability for frequent or rough use might be limited.
Diving Into the Design and Performance
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how the ExGizmo Outboard Boat Motor Stand performs in real-world use, looking at its features and the benefits they aim to provide, while also considering some of the practical aspects I’ve observed.
Construction and Materials
The description highlights “High Quality Material,” stating the stand is made of heavy-duty metal with a sturdy triangle construction, comfortable rubber grips, and a black EDC treated steel frame. The intention here is clear: provide a durable, stable platform capable of supporting a motor safely. In practice, the tubular steel frame is indeed present, and the triangle construction is the basic design. However, my experience, and that echoed by others, suggests that the “heavy-duty” claim needs tempering. The tubing, while steel, feels relatively thin compared to more robust stands I’ve encountered. While the EDC treatment provides a decent finish initially, it doesn’t feel like it would stand up to significant abuse or saltwater exposure over the long term without careful maintenance. The rubber grips on the handles are comfortable enough, but they don’t feel like they’re built for years of heavy use. The hanger block, typically made of a composite or wood substitute on many stands, seems adequate for its purpose, providing a surface for the motor’s transom clamp.
The benefit of this design is theoretically a lightweight yet strong structure that’s easy to maneuver. The reality is that the perceived flimsiness leads to concerns about the actual load-bearing capability and overall longevity, particularly if you’re pushing towards the upper end of the claimed weight limit.
Mobility and Handling
One of the main selling points is how “Convenient to Move” the stand is, thanks to its two wheels and ergonomic handles. The idea is to easily dolly your motor around. The wheels themselves are injection-molded and reasonably sized for smooth surfaces like a garage floor or marina dock. The handles are angled to allow you to tilt the stand back and roll it like a hand truck. This feature is undeniably beneficial; trying to carry even a moderate-sized outboard is cumbersome and risky. Being able to wheel it around saves effort and reduces the risk of injury or dropping the motor.
However, the effectiveness of this feature is tied to the build quality of the wheels and the stability of the frame. If the wheels don’t turn freely (some users reported needing to loosen nuts considerably), or if the stand feels unstable when tilted, the convenience factor diminishes rapidly. Moving over rougher terrain like gravel or sand would likely be challenging due to the wheel size and type. The ergonomic handles *do* make it easier to steer, assuming the stand isn’t wobbling or threatening to tip.
Weight Capacity
The advertised “165LBS Weight Capacity” is a critical specification, suggesting the stand can comfortably handle motors up to this weight. This is the feature that directly addresses the core problem of managing heavy motors. A 165 lb capacity would theoretically accommodate many popular 15hp and some 20hp or even lightweight 25-30hp motors. Having a stand with a sufficient weight rating means you have a stable and safe place to hang your motor for work or storage, reducing the risk of it falling over.
Based on user feedback, including reports of the stand feeling questionable even with motors significantly *below* the 100 lb mark, the 165 lb claim appears optimistic, if not outright overstated. Attempting to hang a motor close to that limit seems risky given the perceived thinness of the frame and hardware issues reported by others. While it *might* technically hold the weight statically under ideal conditions, moving it or working on the motor while it’s on the stand could stress the structure beyond its practical limits. The benefit of a high weight capacity is negated if the stand doesn’t inspire confidence or, worse, fails under load. It seems this stand is more realistically suited for motors in the 50-100 lb range if you want to use it without significant concern.
Assembly Process
The “Easy to Assemble” feature promises that the stand comes packed with all necessary parts and takes only a few minutes to put together. Easy assembly is a definite plus for a product aimed at DIY users. Nobody wants to spend hours fumbling with complicated instructions or obscure hardware. A quick setup means you can start using the stand to solve your problem sooner.
However, this is another area where user experience diverges significantly from the promise. While the basic steps might be simple, numerous reports mention critical issues like bolts being too short to connect frame pieces properly, missing hardware (like wingnuts or cotter pins), and holes being the wrong size for the supplied fasteners. Some users had to make trips to the hardware store just to complete the assembly. Furthermore, factory assembly errors, such as support arms being riveted on upside down, have rendered the stand unusable out of the box for some. While the *design* might lend itself to easy assembly *if* all parts were correct and present, quality control issues seem to undermine this key feature’s benefit.
Transport and Storage
The description emphasizes that the outboard motor stand is “Good For Transporting” and conveniently folds down for storage, fitting comfortably in a car boot. The ability to fold down is a significant benefit for those with limited space in their garage, shed, or vehicle. It means the stand doesn’t become a bulky obstacle when not in use. Portability is also key for taking the motor to a repair shop or different locations.
The effectiveness of the transport feature, as discussed under mobility, is linked to the wheels and frame stability. The folding mechanism works, but the overall stability of the stand, particularly its tendency to be top-heavy or unstable even without a motor on it before modifications, can make transport feel less secure than desired. The promise of easy transport is partially delivered, but concerns about structural integrity persist.
Handles and Ergonomics
Finally, the “Non-slip Handles” are mentioned as ergonomic grips designed to reduce strain on arms and wrists and make steering easier. Good ergonomics are important for any piece of equipment you’ll be pushing or pulling, especially when dealing with significant weight. Comfortable handles make the task less arduous and improve control.
The rubber grips themselves are reasonably comfortable as mentioned earlier. The ergonomic benefit comes from the handle placement and angle, which do feel natural when tilting and rolling the stand. The non-slip texture is a standard feature for this type of grip. However, as with mobility, the overall handling experience is heavily influenced by the stand’s stability. If the stand is swaying or threatening to tip, comfortable grips won’t fully compensate for the difficulty in steering and controlling the load.
Hearing from Other Users
Looking around online, I found that my experiences and observations align with those of many other buyers. Users frequently mention that the stated weight capacity feels much higher than what the stand can realistically handle, with some hesitant to place motors near the 100 lb mark. Recurring complaints center around the hardware provided being inadequate (too short bolts, wrong sizes, missing items) and needing replacement from a local store. Several reviewers noted the thinness of the tubing and perceived flimsiness of the overall structure, sometimes arriving with paint defects or damaged components like wheels. There were also reports of significant issues during assembly, including incorrectly installed parts from the factory and the stand being inherently unstable, especially when empty. While a few users found it acceptable for very lightweight motors or occasional, careful use at a budget price, the prevailing sentiment points to significant quality control issues and concerns about durability and safety under load.
Bringing It All Together
Handling an outboard motor is a challenging task that needs a reliable solution to prevent damage to the motor and injury to yourself. The complications of not having a proper stand include difficult storage, awkward maintenance, and the ever-present risk of dropping the valuable engine during transport. The ExGizmo Outboard Boat Motor Stand aims to solve this problem. Despite some noted drawbacks regarding build quality and the optimistic weight rating, it offers portability, folding storage, and a basic structure for hanging the motor. For someone needing a very low-cost option for a relatively light motor (well below the 100 lb mark) and willing to potentially source better hardware for assembly, this stand could provide a functional, albeit less robust, solution. To see the product and potentially learn more, click here.
Last update on 2025-08-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API