Wanna save money and be safer and more self sufficient afloat? Better learn how your engine works, and how to service and repair it.  Now, hanging off the stern by your toenails is NOT gonna cut it.

You need to get the awkward thing aboard somehow - without  YOU and/or the ENGINE going overboard.

A spare halyard will save your back. Note that I rigged a webbing harness - myself. You can also purchase this www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay

But then you are not being very self sufficient, are you?

Note that I have rigged a safety line,  just in case!

To ease the strain on your back, use a winch. this would be easier with a self tailer, or a crew member:

 After a bit of heaving, cursing, and sweating, VOILA:

Mount the engine on your washboards. You DID varnish them with 2 part polyurethane, RIGHT?

Right - so the mounts will not mar them. If you are changing oil, be sure to place some absorbant material underneath to soak up drips and spills.

Your cockpit now doubles as a workbench. You can see the edge of the absorbant "diaper" under the oil bucket below the lower unit. I really should have plugged the scuppers too. When (not "if") I drop stuff, it stays aboard. It's also much easier to access everything. The engine was having fuel issues and stalling, and I have no idea when it was last serviced, so I did a comprehensive inspection.

My servicing included the following:

1) Clean and re-gap spark plug

2) Inspect and flush fuel filter

3) Disassemble fuel pump and inspect.

4) Drain carburator float bowl to remove sediment

5) Drain and replace engine oil. I used Mobil 1 full synthetic, 20w50. Marine outboards see hard service, and at this lattitude, they are never subject to freezing, so a heaver weight oil does no harm. Synthetic oil is MUCH better than mineral based oil - you can safely triple the service intervals with it, and it reduces friction, wear, and fuel consumption. gives you a little bit more power too. I learned all this when I was racing automobiles.

6) Drain and replace gear oil in the lower unit. Again, do not skimp here - buy the best synthetic 90wt oil you can find. it makes a difference.

Total time: About 2 hours.

I still need to replace the impeller - and I'm going to buy tools for replacing the prop as well - and will carry spares for all the critical engine components.

I have a lot of experience as a mechanic, and even worked professionally as one for a while. Still, servicing a small outboard is not very difficult for an amature, and I think you should be able to service EVERYTHING aboard your boat.

If you can't fix it, it does not belong aboard in my opinion - especially if it is something critical (?)  like an engine.