Navigate with Tilt Locked or Unlocked

[Cofe]

I have heard opinions from other boaters about Locking, or Unlocking their tilt mechanism on their outboards as they navigate. And was wondering what was the right way?

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Navigate with Tilt Locked or Unlocked

With the motor locked, if you hit something going forward you will cause all sorts of damage. Mostly I lock it down for reverse only.

 

[Cofe]

Re: Navigate with Tilt Locked or Unlocked

Thanks Rockyrude: That is the way I run mine also, but some boaters still say that if you're moving fast you could tear things up bad.
I have noticed the trip mechanism is adjustable.

 

[pmat1]

Re: Navigate with Tilt Locked or Unlocked

Mine stays locked because there are no obsticles in my lake and i hate the motor flying up in reverse.

 

[arks]

Re: Navigate with Tilt Locked or Unlocked

Mine stays locked because there are no obsticles in my lake and i hate the motor flying up in reverse.

Same here.
Never had a problem.

 

[mla2ofus]

Re: Navigate with Tilt Locked or Unlocked

My old '54- 15 HP 'rude only locks down when in reverse.
Mike

 

[Numlaar]

Re: Navigate with Tilt Locked or Unlocked

I run with the tilt lock off most of the time... reason being is, its always very shallow where I boat... and if I am on the Ocklawaha, its fulll of stumps... I have hit stumps there 2 or 3 times, If my motor was locked down, mega damage, instead of just getting popped up...

I just lock it down when I going to load/unload as that is really the only time I need to be able to hit reverse...

Now if I had PTT it wouldn't matter heh... one day

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Navigate with Tilt Locked or Unlocked

unlocked. why take a chance? It only jumps up if you reverse hard; how often is that?
A plank floating just below the surface is the same whether there's 3 feet or 30 under it. I recently chopped a 10' 2x8 (with a 150 so the lock thing is irrelevant) and when I went back to pick up the pieces could barely find it it was so waterlogged.

 

[Cofe]

Re: Navigate with Tilt Locked or Unlocked

I stumbled across what I was asking about while looking at newer outboard motors and their specifications. Newer motors automatically lock the tilt in reverse, and automatically unlock when put in forward. So I guess I have one of those old standard models.....good one though..