Boat Newbie - How to secure outboard motor while trailering
Hello,I am a buying a 20' Carolina Skiff DLX with a Yamaha F90 stroke
outboard. When I trailer the boat, what precautions do I need to take
with the motor? I believe all I need to do is have the motor lowered
to normal running angle while on the trailer. Is there anything else I
need to be aware of? Do I need a support bar? Thanks.
D. |
DaveBWilliams
Nov 1
2006
|
| Why NOT use a transom saver? They're only about $25, take about 30
seconds to take off and put on. I use mine all the time. The first time
you go down a rough road, you'll wish you had that added security. |
basskisser
Nov 3
|
| Thanks for all the help. I posed the question because I have never
seen any of the watermen around Gloucester, Va use a transom saver with
a skiff and outboard of this size. Plus this is my first boat so I am
super eager to learn :-) My buddy that I am |
DaveBWilliams
Nov 2
|
| Why would you not simply do what the manual says to do? Keep in mind that
'clear the road' also applies to those times the trailer is lower because
of a bump or depression in the road. |
JohnH
Nov 2
|
| No - it should be lifted, then lowered onto the transport bracket
located on the engine mounting frame. >Is there anything else I need to be aware of? Nothing other than being careful of backing up. >Do I need a support bar? If you mean a "transom saver", this is a subject of much debate, but
the simple answer is no. In theory, transom savers are supposed to
keep the engine from bouncing and torguing the transom such that
stress develops and in theory damages transoms. In all the years I've owned trailer boats, I've never had a transom
damaged by using the bracket and I've never seen one - ever. |
Short
Nov 2
|
| No. It should be in the air, approximately at a 30/45 degree angle to
the pavement. |
Short
Nov 2
|
| I'd ask your dealer.
I asked the same question this summer for my Evinrude Yachtwin 6hp.
In the past I just left it on it's mount on my sailboat transom.
The dealer told me most people just lay the motor flat in the bed of
their pickup. I didn't like that, so I constructed a sawhorse type
stand for my pickup and that's how I carry my motor now. |
Don
Nov 2
|
| It's a good idea to use a transom saver. I always do. I sometimes get
on some rough roads, and I'm not going to take any chances. |
basskisser
Nov 2
|
| Actually you need to *raise* the motor to a trailering position when
trailering it, not lowering it to a normal running angle.
:-) |
Nov 1
|
| I think you were making a joke....but I want to be clear....when the
boat is up on the trailer, getting read to by towed, should the motor
and lower unit be roughly 90 degrees to the pavement? Thanks.Dave. On Nov 1, 8:17 pm, " JimH" <not telling you @ pffftt.com> wrote: |
DaveBWilliams
Nov 1
|
| No joke. You raise the drive to avoid damaging it and the prop when
trailering. When long term storing it on a trailer you should lower the drive. |
Nov 1
|
| Okay...I understand raising it to not hit the the prop or lower unit
while towing, but the manual says to "have it in normal running condition unless it will not clear the road.
If it will not clear the road, raise it and use a transom saver" Do I need a transom saver for this boat/motor combo when raising the
motor? |
DaveBWilliams
Nov 1
|
| you shouldn't, because when the engine if fully raised or "trailer"
position, the mass of the engine is in front of the transom, and you
have less weight hanging ont he back of the transom. I have seen some people use a special bar that attaches to the base of
the back of the trailer, and has a "v" which they use to support the
lower end. to secure it. so that the engine isn't wanting to flop (even
minutely) on its mounts. Tell us, is the engine hydrolic trim. where you can tilt the engine via
a switch? or do you ahve to pull a pin and tilt the engine manually? |
tschnautz
Nov 1
|
