1996 Merc 115 trailering question

[Miami Criminal Law]

I own a 1996 115 merc. It has this little bar under the engine that you raise up and position under the engine for trailering. This little bar i am talking about is actually on the engine bracket but raises up to hold the engine in the up position. However the engine has to be in the UP position to get that lever there. I guess the lever is there to take the weight off of the hydrolic trim pump thing. The co owenr of my boat seems to think we don't have to trailer it with the engine up. He thinks Leaving the engine down (far enough so that it wont hit anything) is sufficient and maybe even better for the transom. Does anyone know whether trailering it with the weight on the hydrolic alone is bad for the engine or the hydrolic system. Is it better to trailer with the engine in the up position or down?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1996 Merc 115 trailering question

that little bar is not for trailering, you need to get a transom saver, it is a bar that goes from the lower part of the engine to the trailer, this takes the strain off the transom. take a look here;
http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cg...eywords=transom+saver&submit.x=42&submit.y=10

 

[Miami Criminal Law]

Re: 1996 Merc 115 trailering question

Tashas. thanks. But what is that 3 inch black metal bar for then? it swivles up and down and happens to fit perfectly under the ungine when you tilt it up.

Thanks for the transom savor tip

 

[ncfish1]

Re: 1996 Merc 115 trailering question

If the tab is located on the port side and is lifted by a twist handle, this is the transport lock. If you don't flip it up and back the hydraulic down to rest on it, the engine will bounce during tow. Recommend using it.

 

[roger3645]

Re: 1996 Merc 115 trailering question

Do yourself a favor and get the transom saver as suggested. You won't be sorry!

 

[Texasmark]

Re: 1996 Merc 115 trailering question

If it's the tab I'm thinking of, it's for beaching a boat that doesn't have PTT. That's why it's puny, not made for the vigors of trailering or boat movement.

With that said, PTT should be standard on your engine. Don't know why they would go to the expense of adding that lever at the factory unless someone overlooked taking it off when PTT became standard.

I have a 3 cyl 90 hp with PTT. I bought the boat with a transom saver but ceased to use it as on this particular installation I feel it's a waste of time. Others will disagree and give reasons for not depending on the hydraulics to hold the engine in place. That's ok and I understand those concerns but feel that I don't need it.

Actually, before I made the decision, I tilted the engine up about 30 degrees and climbed on it, feet on antivent plate and bounced up and down looking for weaknesses. Found none.....I weigh 250#. The whole engine only weighs 300 and it's counterbalanced when tilted up.

It's your rig, your choice.

Mark

 

[Miami Criminal Law]

Re: 1996 Merc 115 trailering question

thanks. All very helpfull. NCfish. YOu described it exactly. That's what I have. So it is a transport lock. hmm Anyway. I might just get the tansome saver just in case

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1996 Merc 115 trailering question

That locking bar allows you to safely work on your trim unit and it can be used when the boat os moored in the water.

I would not use it for trailering even though the motor is balanced on it. One good jolt and if the motor jumps off it and slams down something may break.