changing to a taller wheel / tire

[road.ripper]

i dont want to hijack a post so i will ask my own question.
i've been boating since i was old enough to steer a boat and now i have 2 of my own. a little 12' aluminum with a 1984 9.8 merc on a Wiscot tilt n load trailer (some one welded the tilt joint )
1975 northcraft 15' - 1970 650 merc on a 197? Wiscot tilt n load with 8" 5.80tires / 4 bolt rims.

im thinking of getting taller wheels/tires , i have a clearance problem with my skeg.
i have to adjust my trailer rollers and my bow winch set-up as high as i can but still do not have much clearance for my skeg. i know my local launch is deep enough plus my tilt still works if i need to use it.

any hints or ideas ?

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: changing to a taller wheel / tire

Nope...you are on the right path!

From the pictures it looks like you won't have any clearance problems. I did the same thing on my PWC trailer, and even on such a small setup the 12" tires fit fine.

Happy boating!

 

[road.ripper]

Re: changing to a taller wheel / tire

tks
been awhile since ive been in your neck of the woods ,, back in the '90's in dade county and dilard county i took a private airboat ride through the glades , aswome ride

road.

 

[180shabah]

Re: changing to a taller wheel / tire

Can't tell from the pic, are the springs over/under the axle?

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: changing to a taller wheel / tire

If your motor is tilted on either boat it doesn't look like you have an issue.

Maybe running with the motor down works in FL flatland, but I would never dream of trailering with my motor down anyway. I don't see that you have a prob from your pics.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: changing to a taller wheel / tire

You really don't have an issue and you might also find that in order to gain any significant height you would need to go to at least 13 inch wheels and tires and then you will find fender interference. If the small boat has a skeg issue, tilt the motor up and use a transom saver to keep it from flopping around. Much cheaper than new wheels and tires and better for the boat and motor. Use it on the bigger boat as well.

 

[road.ripper]

Re: changing to a taller wheel / tire

sorry i should have made this clear ,i was a bit tired last night ,
no punn intended.

i dont move my boats on the road with the engines down.
my black boat is the one with a clearance issue . only 3" with the engine down.
Also my tongue weight is extremely light on the black boat. i dont want to take the chance of hitting my skeg either way.
The previous owner has smashed the skeg a few times so when i pulled the engine do some engine rebuilding and replace the impeller i repaired it by welding on some aluminum then shaping it . I will be setting the engine to the proper height on the transom as it was a little low for my liking.

180shabah : i was thinking about this,
both my trailers are the same make and both have the axles under the springs, i thought about adding 2" or 3" axle blocks. it may be an option.

so with this in mind , and thinkin clearly tis morning.

1 - i need to raise the engine and then reset my rollers all this should fix my problem with clearance and if needed add axle blocks.
2 - i need to move the boat forward on the trailer to balance the tongue weight.
3 - plus if i add a larger wheel /tire combo would be less wear n tear on them with a larger and heavier boat, plus help with the clearance issue.

road