I finally got my 4 spring Garhauer bracket installed! I read the tide charts a couple weeks ago and saw that this past weekend I would have high tide in the early afternoon which is just what I needed. Last time I attempted to install it I had a low tide in the afternoon which had the outboard below the dock. With high tide, the outboard was still a little low and awkward to pickup being the top was only about 1' above the dock, but I got it done. It was not as difficult as I first thought a couple months ago. Originally, I thought it was going to be much more difficult to lift. That was because my old bracket was jammed in the low position and I and others used all our strength we had and could not get the outboard to budge. This had me thinking how on earth am I going to lift this thing off the back if it really weighs this much. Turned out the bracket was jammed, which I was able to free and then I thought about ~115lb shouldn't be that hard.
I just tied off the lines having the motor very close to the dock and was about to try to lift it by myself, but decided I better ask for assistance in case I were to lose my balance and fall in. I also tied a line to the outboard handle to the nearby piling in case it was to fall in. Two of us lifted it off without much difficulty and I laid it on the correct side. I was then able to complete the rest on my own. I tied off the old bracket, went below and unbolted it. It came right off and the new Garhauer fit in the exact same hole locations. I applied plenty of caulk to the holes and bolted it right on. Putting the outboard back on was easier than lifting it off. I just placed it on, tightened the clamps and it was ready to test. Wow, it works so smoothly and takes barely any effort to pull up or push down! It is also sturdier than the original. I can also tilt the motor all the way back in the high position and it does not interfere with the stern rail. Here it is completed:


This coming Sunday, April 2nd I plan to sail across the bay to my new slip in Cadle Creek. I'm really looking forward to the trip and it sure will be nice to have my boat closer.