Removing a '98 Yamaha 115 outboard

I've never taken an outboard motor off a boat before...

I'm in the process of completely remodelling/restoring/renovating/refurbishing a boat that I bought this fall.

It's an Xpress H56. I've added onto the deck. Removed the carpet and sanded out all the glue. I've sanded down the majority of the exterior and I'd love to take the motor off so my paint guy can paint the whole transom. I can handle the steering cable, main wiring harness and control cable removal, BUT there's some wires that I don't know what to do with, or how to remove.

There's a wire that runs down the front side of the shaft and may go down into the foot or close to it. What is that wire and how would I remove it? There doesn't appear to be any connection or splices in the wire to disconnect.

I suspect it's either the spedo or RPM sending wire.

Also, would it benefit me to install a 6" manual jack plate when I put it back together? I'm spending so much on the boat refurb that I can't swing a hydraulic plate right now.

If you are referring to the tubing that runs down to the top of the lower unit (approx. 3/16 dia.), it's hollow. Not a wire. It goes to the speedo. There should be a plastic butt splice visible right above the lower unit or in the area above the power trim assembly. As for the jack plate, you may need to replace the steering cable if you go that direction. Check to see if the cable you have is long enough for the set back. Something to consider as it is an additional expense.

Thanks for the tip on the jack plate. I'd imagine that I would have to get another steering cable.

You're spot on, it was the speedo vaccum tube. The wire that I saw was the ground wire to the trim. I didn't look closely enough when I first took a peek at it. I wasn't ready to remove the motor at the time and just glanced at it to get an idea of what I was dealing with.

Removing the motor was a really simple job. The overhead electric hoist in the shop made it almost effortless.

Boat's going in the paint booth at 0700 tomorrow. I'm so glad that I took the motor off and it's not going to be taped up and painted around. It was definitely worth the hour that it took me to do it.

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