Gents,
I keep my battery-less motor covered, so I'm not quite sure where I grab it, but I have no difficulty raising, lowering and locking the motor down (for reverse operation) with the cover on and no battery mounted.
Keep in mind it is quite a bit lighter without the battery. It's still a two hand operation, I kneel on the aft end of the cockpit seat and lean over the afterdeck, first grabbing the motor under the cover by it's aft end with my left hand, then releasing the catch with my right hand to lower it. I then push the lock down with my left hand to prevent the motor from jumping up in reverse. Later once my main is up, I reach back and pull the lock up with my left, then grab the motor again by it's aft end and simply pull it up until I hear the click of the catch.
At 71 I'm not the most spry of sailors, but don't find this too difficult to do. Of course, if Torqueedo were to see in in their hearts to motorize the process, well, I might be interested...
Bill Cheadle
#1622
Chien du Soleil