Towing Boat, Engine up or down?

[Equis]

Hello,<br /><br />So many Questions!! Sorry <br /><br />When I picked up my boat from the dealer he said to tow with the outboard up and sitting on that little latch thing (115hp Merc)<br /><br />I read the merc book and it said NOT to use that latch for towing and to tow with the engine down, I only have about 2 inchs clearance so I wanted to have it half way.<br /><br />Can I tow with just the Hydraulics of the tilt/trim holding it in place?<br /><br />I was thinking if it can hold the engine in place at WOT it should be ok to hold while towing?<br /><br />Any Idea's?<br /><br />And that HEAPS for all the answers on all my other posts too, I've really learn't heaps from you all on this website<br /><br />Thanks<br /><br />Rhys

 

[AndyL]

Re: Towing Boat, Engine up or down?

I don't know what others may think but I have in the past put a block of hard wood between the motor and the saddle then lowered the motor onto that using the hydraulic trim . The weight of the engine is thus taken on the wood not the rams. You would have to look at your motor arrangement carefully to see if this could be achieved with your set up.

 

[gutshot grouper]

Re: Towing Boat, Engine up or down?

The hydraulic cylinder will hold the engine fine, Yamaha recommends not utilizing the latch, the real question is whether or not the transom is stout enough to take the torque from the engine when you go over a rough road. Some of the cheaper sparkle crafts tow with a transom brace from the trailer to the lower unit.Guess they are too flexible to stand the weight of a vastly overpowered engine. Most of them will go fast enough when it is slick calm, but wouldn't even go on a plane if it is rough,,Good Luck

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Towing Boat, Engine up or down?

Hi Equis,<br /><br />Have a look at this photo - courtesy of 55Crestliner. I was so impressed that I've made something similar. <br /><br /> http://www.retrocrestliner.com/chrisroach804/chrisroach804-Images/5.jpg <br /><br />You need to keep your motor clear of any contact with the road, however you trailer it. Our roads here are just holes, joined by random bits of concrete, and I've always hated the thought of the strain on the transom while trailering. <br /><br />I can watch in the mirror now, and see the motor snugged up tight without any undue strain on anything - it's halfway up and well clear of the worst bits of road.<br /><br />Ciao

 

[bossee]

Re: Towing Boat, Engine up or down?

Hi,<br />I use M-ywedge motor support.<br />Better than nothing. Pros and cons with this soloution. It has worked two seasons without problem for me. I use Yamaha F115.<br /><br /> http://www.m-ywedge.com/ <br /><br />Good luck!

 

[roscoe]

Re: Towing Boat, Engine up or down?

This question has been asked many times.<br />Most if not all manufacturers recommend motor down when trailering.<br />Many many boaters need more ground clearance, so they use transom savers.<br />The correct transom saver for your motor and trailer will give you the clearance you need and will immobilize the motor.<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/mall/index.cgi?*******=168909419&keywords=transom+saver&submit.x=37&submit.y=8

 

[Rudderman]

Re: Towing Boat, Engine up or down?

If you use a transom saver, MAKE SURE that you secure the boat to the trailer properly AND that you secure the top end of the transom saver to the lower unit. Today my lower unit hopped off the transom saver when I went over a bump and the engine went down with a bang. No damage done thankfully, but I will get some stronger bungee cords in the future.

 

[Rudderman]

Re: Towing Boat, Engine up or down?

 

[PAkev]

Re: Towing Boat, Engine up or down?

Ditto on the My-Wedge. I've had one for about a year now and it works well.

 

[islandboat]

Re: Towing Boat, Engine up or down?

I've got a 225 hp engine. My trailer has no place to support the lower unit support attachment. I have always used the locking lever that comes on the motor and have never had a problem. Towing with the motor down would be best, however most lower units will be too close to the ground and a broken skeg is not a good thing. You decide if you have enough ground clearance and how far back the motor is from the trailer axle.