Should I trailer with outboard down or up?

[mannyq]

Re: Should I trailer with outboard down or up?

If the motors have hydrualic trim, doesn't that system keep the motors from bouncing anyway while they are in their trailering position since the piston is effectively holding in place?

 

[DJ]

Re: Should I trailer with outboard down or up?

helios2002,<br /><br />In a sense, you are correct. However, the hydraulics were not designed for that kind of shock load. I have seen them get hydraulically locked because of that-not fun.<br /><br />Use a bracket.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Should I trailer with outboard down or up?

If you're running a high-dollar prop (or not), it doesn't get sand-blasted as much with a transom-saver either..........

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Should I trailer with outboard down or up?

Look at it as if your engine was a bolt cutter.....put a bolt between the jaws, and it takes very little pressure to cut the bolt-lots of torque-but if you put a longer bolt between the handles, you are unable to apply any torque or pressure because of the "arm".......the transom saver is the longer bolt between the handles.........

 

[Lark40]

Re: Should I trailer with outboard down or up?

There's more than one correct answer. I've owned trailers that a transom saver could not fit.<br /><br />A 2X4 wedged into the engine's tilt area and secured with eye hooks and bungy cords, with other heavy bungies holding the lower end tight works very well.<br /><br />The main point is to keep the engine somewhat raised off the pavement but prevent it from bouncing.

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Should I trailer with outboard down or up?

You HAVE to support the engine at the lowest point to gain any mechanical advantage. The 2X4 gives no more support than the tilt arm...the pivot point is still at the top, and the only way to properly support the engine with no added stress to the transom or trim system is to support it at the lower unit, which removes the "Arm", or "leverage" that the weight of the engine creates....

 

[Knightgang]

Re: Should I trailer with outboard down or up?

THe way that I see it, an outbaord is heaviest at the powerhead (top heavy). And the pivot point is directly below the power head. So the pivot point is pretty much the balanceing point on an outboard (or as close as they could reasoanably get for engineers). Therefore, if the pivot point is where the tilt locks are located, then this is the best place for support, if it is done right.<br /><br />I trailered for years, but untill I saw an outboard mechanic do the following, I never thought about it. When you tilt up you outboard and flip the tilt locks, don't just lower the motor till the locks touch and expect that to be enough support. Lower the tilt until the locks touch, then let the motor continue to run until the trim pistons are retracted all the way. once they are in, the tilt piston will put an additional pull ont he outboard locking it in place. (Once it pulls, let off. I am not advocating anyone burning a trim motor up) This will lock the outboard down on the motor mount and aleiviate any bouncing, therefore saving your transom.<br /><br />Knightgang

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Should I trailer with outboard down or up?

I think what everyone is failing to take into account is transom stress. When you only lock the motor on the stops, the motor still bounces on the transom. If you do any amount of trailering, this will eventually lead to a weak transom and possibly worse. Just the thought of a 200 HP motor bouncing on the transom unsupported, makes me cringe!

 

[MrBill]

Re: Should I trailer with outboard down or up?

Trailer with the drive or motor all or almost all the way up. This will incur the least damage to your engine if hit by someone from the rear. Also it will puncture their radiator and expensively teach them not to get so **** close when driving.

 

[Maximerc]

Re: Should I trailer with outboard down or up?

Ok I gotta ask ,, how many pounds of thrust does a engine produce ? Does the bouncing of the engine produce more shock to the transom than slamming the throttle down and pulling 3 tubes up? Just a question. I know impact is a vicious thing but so is torque. ???????????

 

[kenneths]

Re: Should I trailer with outboard down or up?

How much "torque" or "load" do you create when your engine bounces, but the boat cannot move forward to absorb some of the shock because it's succured tightly to the trailer???? The twisting moment on the transom is HELLACIOUS......

 

[Old Jarhead]

Re: Should I trailer with outboard down or up?

Guess I throw in my .02...<br /><br />I use a 2by4 on my 25HP and a 2by6 on my 115. Been using this method for over 40 years of boating without a problem.<br /><br />However you do it supported tilt while trailering is a good idea.

 

[Maximerc]

Re: Should I trailer with outboard down or up?

Kennys... you bring a point that I had neglected.. the sharp blows with no Hydro effect of the water around the boat good point !

 

[Mark42]

Re: Should I trailer with outboard down or up?

The owners manual for my '93 Evinrude 40 specifically states to trailer the motor in the vertical positon. It goes on to add that if road clearance is a problem and the motor is to be tilted up a motor support bracket MUST be used. It also states specifically NOT to trailer on the tilt support brackets. It indicates that trailering in the tilted positon will cause damage to the steering pivot mechanism.<br /><br />I have 10 inches of clearance under the sceg, and want to trailer with the motor vertical. I guess I will need to be extra careful!!!

 

[dogsdad]

Re: Should I trailer with outboard down or up?

Seems like a no-brainer to me...I've never checked to feel of the weight that my transom saver is bearing, but whatever it is, that's weight that my transom is NOT bearing. <br /><br />My opinion is that the transom saver is a worthwhile gadget!<br /><br /><br />-dd-

 

[cajun555]

Re: Should I trailer with outboard down or up?

I watched a guy trailering his boat with motor down. It was a 25 hp, Every bump he hit the motor bounced putting stress on transom. I vote T/S, for the smaller boats as springs on some trailers are overkill for the size of boat.

 

[aggie97]

Re: Should I trailer with outboard down or up?

My dad has a '79 Invader trihull with a 115 Evenrude motor. He has never used a transomsaver, and his transom is a strong as it was on the day he bought the boat. He has also towed the boat for hundreds of miles at a time. Also i second the keep triming the engine down untill the rams are fully retarcted. We always held the button untill the hydraulics started making a different lower humming sound indicating all the rams were fully retracted.<br /><br />BTW, I like my way of doing it. Just buy a inboard like my Ski Nautique. No need for any trimming of anything.

 

[snowshoe]

Re: Should I trailer with outboard down or up?

I.m with Rickdb1boat. The stress you wish to prevent is on the transom as well as on the trim/hinge of the motor. Trim the motor up and then use some muscle on the leg to move it up and down and you probally will see some flex in the transom. My 80 merc caused me much worry on a older glass 16' and I insisted on a transom saver when I bought my new tournament alum boat. I also fully secure the kicker (trimed down) with a good bunge strap to stop it form bouncing. I feel it is important to secure the T/S to the trailer (another good rubber bunge) to prevent the possible loss of the T/S. The whole assembly should be solid (with little or no flexing) whenready for the road.