Need help with dumb question...

[fredcrn]

Getting ready to remount my outdrive and want to go get my boat from where it's been stored. Here's the problem...when my outdrive quit last fall, I wasn't able to get the boat centered properly on the trailer. It's for sure not safe to pull any distance and I now live 2 hrs away. Am I ok to refloat the boat and center it on the trailer without the outdrive attached? I know that I would have to seal up the hole where the gear cable goes through, but will the exhaust and intake holes be a problem?<br /><br />Also, if there are any folks from the Wilmington, NC area on here, I'd sure appreciate any info you might be able to give me about where I can put in and take out in the Wilmington area.<br /><br />Thanks<br />Fred

 

[Trent]

Re: Need help with dumb question...

Stuff some rags up their to help keep the water out. Iv done this before with no problems. It should not take but a few min to get the boat straight on the trailor. Grease the gimble bearing good.

 

[6MISFITZ]

Re: Need help with dumb question...

Plug all the holes with rags and then tape a garbage with out any holes over the transom plate. Try not leave to much air in the garbage bag, as it will to float and use duct tape or better. If any water gets into the gimbal area you might run into problems before the end of summer.<br /><br />I am not sure about the size and weight of you boat but you might also consider a engine hoist/cherry picker to lift the back of the boat slightly using the 2 tie dowm loops and then push and move the stern in small stages to center it properly.<br /><br />Neither are high tech but I would suggest having at least a couple of extra people to help center the boat. Nothing beats an extra set of hands or shoulders. Do use comon sense as fiberglass is expensive to repair.<br /><br />Goodluck,<br />Mike.

 

[fredcrn]

Re: Need help with dumb question...

Thanks for the responses. Going to grease it up real good, stuff any holes and tape plastic over the whole thing. Shouldn't be a problem.<br />Thanks<br />Fred

 

[speed29668]

Re: Need help with dumb question...

Fred,<br /><br />You are in one of the best boating areas on the Atlantic in my opinion. I went to college in Wilmington and bought my first boat while there. 1973 17' Glassmaster (purchased in 2000) The public ramp at Wrightsville beach is one of the biggest and best I have ever used or seen. It is on the Intracoastal Waterway immediately after you cross over the draw bridge to Wrightsville Beach. Just take your first left after crossing the bridge. My family has a place just down the road in Little River (North Myrtle Beach). You live in a wonderful town.

 

[fredcrn]

Re: Need help with dumb question...

Thanks for the info Speed. I'm hoping to find a place closer to wilmington to launch from. Are you aware of any good launch sites somewhere close to shipyard and 17th?<br />Fred