Trailing a boat with outboard on the transom

pleekh · 18 October 2013, 17:17

Hi, it's my first time trailing my inflatable boat this Sunday with my 30HP on the transom. Should I tilt the outboard and lift it up and lock it in place while trailing or should I just leave it down? The boat is on a bunk trailer with a middle support pad for the transom to rest on.

Please advise. Thanks.

paintman · 18 October 2013, 19:15

Tilt & lock. If you leave it down you might find the skeg comes into contact with the road surface or the top of a speed hump with the attendant risk of damage.
I do leave my back-up engine down, but its a lot higher than the main & the trailer would ground long before the engine.
Cover the bottom of the leg & prop with a large highly visible bag as it usually sticks out a fair way behind the boat & it will provide a warning & some protection to those who don't notice it. I use an old bright red rucksack, but a thick plastic bag should be fine.
Try to let the wheel bearings cool down before immersing them as the sudden cooling of hot bearings will help water to get in - if you can avoid getting the wheels in that deep then that's the best course.

Boats&Outboards · 18 October 2013, 19:29

I'd disagree. When I am towing the smaller engines I block it with some wood half trimmed down, so its clear of the floor. I don't use the tilt lock as they are weak at this HP and often bounce out.

Some makes are better than others but that's what I'd do.

www.BoatsandOutboards4Sale.co.uk

paintman · 18 October 2013, 19:34

Interesting. Mine's a 135 Mercury so its power tilt & the lock is a decent lump. Hadn't thought of the piece of wood idea!

C2 RIBS · 18 October 2013, 19:39

The lock on engine at top rise position is designed for use by engineers working on the engine and not whilst trailering

Best advice is to lower the engine as far as safely possible for trailing and lift a little and lower onto a block of wood to hold and support. The higher you trail with engine uo the bigger the strain on the transom as it pivots

paintman · 18 October 2013, 20:32

As I can't edit it, sounds like you'd best to ignore my post.
Going to have a rummage in the shed for a decent piece of wood.....

pleekh · 18 October 2013, 20:46

i have been reading on the internet, sounds like the best thing to do is to use a piece of wood in between the transom and outboard to tilt it that way and rather use the tilt lock as it has a lot of force on it.

Projectile · 18 October 2013, 23:54

I have an ETEC 30 and Evinrude specifically states in the owner's manual to NOT trailer while tilted.

Do you have electric tilt? If not, then by putting the trim pin in the outermost hole and locking the engine in down (running) position onto the trim pin in that position, you might have enough clearance. That's what I do.

You can also get a transom saver (attached pic).

jyasaki · 19 October 2013, 04:40

If you're tiller steered, tying the motor to one side or the other (or centered if you're handy with knots) will keep it from flopping side to side as you negotiate curves.

jky

Nasher · 19 October 2013, 17:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Projectile

You can also get a transom saver (attached pic).

Oh how I hate those things.

Any movement, however slight, of the boat on the trailer is transferred through the tilt mechanism of the engine.

Nasher

Projectile · 19 October 2013, 17:56

Transom savers are recommended by Evinrude for the ETEC30 if it cannot be trailered locked in the down (run) position.

sparky666 · 19 October 2013, 18:26

Hi
Are there any purpose made supports for sale in the uk?
I use the trim pin in highest position and tie the leg against this to stop it bouncing
I avoid speed bumps and kerbs like the plague

jyasaki · 19 October 2013, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Oh how I hate those things.

Any movement, however slight, of the boat on the trailer is transferred through the tilt mechanism of the engine.

True, but a) the boat shouldn't move on the trailer; b) without support, any bouncing, penduluming or other road caused jarring gets transferred to the pivot tubes and on to the transom. I remember watching the transom on my SIB get rocked back and forth by over an inch, which is why I now use transom savers.

jky

9D280 · 22 October 2013, 18:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by C2 RIBS

Best advice is to lower the engine as far as safely possible for trailing and lift a little and lower onto a block of wood to hold and support. The higher you trail with engine uo the bigger the strain on the transom as it pivots

+1 for the wood.

Would debate the leverage thing tho'. Tilted a good chunk of the powerhead weight is forward of the transom, whereas when down most is behind...

On phone so can't multi quote.

As for the trailer saver - as all trailers are padded to a degree, there must by definition be movement of the hull relative to the chassis, which will also bend slightly at every impact...

C2 RIBS · 22 October 2013, 18:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9D280

+1 for the wood.

Would debate the leverage thing tho'. Tilted a good chunk of the powerhead weight is forward of the transom, whereas when down most is behind...

Good Point on the weight. We have been told by Yamaha and their enigeers NOT to use the lever support on a trailer, it was designed for engineers working on engine rams etc. Thats their account

Boats&Outboards · 22 October 2013, 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9D280

+1 for the wood.

Would debate the leverage thing tho'. Tilted a good chunk of the powerhead weight is forward of the transom, whereas when down most is behind...

On phone so can't multi quote.

As for the trailer saver - as all trailers are padded to a degree, there must by definition be movement of the hull relative to the chassis, which will also bend slightly at every impact...

Which is the same stresses as when the engine is in use so it doesn't really make much difference.

Wood it, job done.

9D280 · 24 October 2013, 14:03

well, if you ignore the extra HP trying to lever it off when it's in use.......

But yes, I think we are meandering down the same train of thought here.......

Hightower · 25 October 2013, 00:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nasher

Oh how I hate those things.

Any movement, however slight, of the boat on the trailer is transferred through the tilt mechanism of the engine.

Nasher

I agree with you Nasher with hydraulic Tilt and Trim outboards like ours, but not such a problem with manual tilt outboards providing they are free to go up and down.

Wood still your best option though!

tehguy · 25 October 2013, 01:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by paintman

Cover the bottom of the leg & prop with a large highly visible bag as it usually sticks out a fair way behind the boat & it will provide a warning & some protection to those who don't notice it.

This. If your overhang is over 1 metre long then it must be clearly marked, but even if it's less than it's still a good idea. Get a cheap high-vis jacket and tie it over the prop.