Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2011 0:58:22 GMT -6
Men, I recently purchased a SS1850 skiff with a 90 4stroke Merc. Upon reading the Merc manual i read that it is recommended that the motor be in the down position when trailering to and fro, problem is there is only about 4 inches of clearance between the foot and the pavement. There is no where on my wesco trailer to hook one of those motor props that hook to the motor and onto the trailer for support. I trim the motor up and flip the latch to hold the motor up. Am I wrong in how I do this and if so, what are my other options, I just cant see trailering the boat with the motor 4 inches from the ground,....... little help please
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Post by T-Topless on Jul 22, 2011 6:11:18 GMT -6
Never seen (or herd of) trailering in the down position. If you trailer it 4" off the ground, it WILL get damaged. Perhaps the manual had a type and it said "The motor should not be trailered in the down position".
Anyone else ever heard anything like this?
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Post by Simple Man on Jul 22, 2011 7:40:40 GMT -6
Yeah, I think they recommend it in the down position. Not all the way down where the lower unit can be damaged but in a semi-vertical orientation. This is mainly only critical with a 4 stroke (oil draining out of the crankcase). At what attitude is the motor trimmed up with the latch flipped? On my Verado the motor is at about a 30 deg angle which provides ample ground clearance and still keeps the motor "vertical". I would not trailer the motor without some kind of support. I know people who do but I just believe it's bad on your trim cylinders. I would tow it latched up and if it is to horizontal just let the motor sit a bit in the vertical position before cranking to let the oil drain back down.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2011 10:36:01 GMT -6
Interesting thread !! I always trailer with my 4 stroke Suzuki up and the (Travel ? ) latch engaged. I wonder how long I should let it sit verticle before cranking ? I think I'll post this on the Suzuki forum and see what come up there..........
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Post by Simple Man on Jul 22, 2011 11:52:16 GMT -6
It would depend on the temperature and the viscosity of the oil. Summertime, I would think 3-4 minutes would be plenty of time. If memory serves me correct, the Verados can develop an issue with burning oil if stored/transported too horizontal. I don't know if the Suzuki's or other motors have an issue with this.
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Post by Parts Jimmy on Jul 22, 2011 12:04:43 GMT -6
Here is how mine sits: I use a 2x6 as a spacer to take the load off the cylinder.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2011 18:21:53 GMT -6
thanks guys, I have opted for the 2x6 idea, tried it out when i went to fuel up, works well, gives me good clearance and lets the motor sit alot lower allowing the oil to stay in the vital areas!! and allows the trim unit to get a break, adds alot of support down there, like it alot.....goin after Mr Whiskers round 0400, gotta get out there before the"recreational boaters" wash me ashore!! oh well, its their lake too
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Post by Juan on Jul 23, 2011 7:57:05 GMT -6
Mine sits at the right angle (down) using a piece of 4 x 4 as support... I always heard that trailering with the motor up puts extra strain on the transom not to mention the oil draining issue.
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Post by Simple Man on Jul 23, 2011 15:54:25 GMT -6
...I always heard that trailering with the motor up puts extra strain on the transom ... I have always heard that too but I think its an old wives tale. I have never heard of anyone having transom problems linked to that and I personally towed an 18 ft. ProSport flats boat around for years with a 140 2 stroke Tohatsu stowed horizontally. Never even dreamed of having a transom problem on that boat. I think if a boat has transom issues that it might hasten its demise but that not the same as causing the issue. IMHO.
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Post by Juan on Jul 23, 2011 17:14:54 GMT -6
It very well may be an old wive's tale.... I too used to always trailer mine with them locked in horizontally, and never had any transom issues either but I heard way too many people say that's the wrong way to do it and I can see where there would be additional strain on the transom when the motor is horizontal and you hit a bump, so "better safe than sorry".
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2011 14:36:24 GMT -6
do a search for " MY WEDGE" it is the best thing Ive come across to keep the motor trimed up. Well here it is www.m-ywedge.com
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BoutTime
Master Chief
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Location: Emerald Isle, N. C.
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Post by BoutTime on Sept 24, 2011 8:28:05 GMT -6
In the outboard owners manual it tells you to NOT trailer with the motor up and on the latch. The latch lever is for storage and to be used while working on the motor, as I recall it is to keep the oils in the proper place and to reduce the stress on the transom. go figure.. I have used a piece of 2x6, or 4x4 until I purchased the "my wedge" I think either will work.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2014 9:19:04 GMT -6
I have noticed that most in this tread are mentioning the "my wedge". I am completely confused as to use a wedge or a transom saver while towing. My last boat was a 16' with a 40hp and the trailer came with a transom saver. My new boat SP sv2100 w/ yam 150 has nothing for support. When I purchased the boat, I asked the seller about it and he gave me a piece of wood to wedge between while towing it home...same principle as the my wedge. I asked the seller what he prefers, and he would not give me a straight answer, because he did not want the liability. I have asked a few people about it and I am getting about a 50/50 split on what to use, and why. All the reasons make perfect sense. I would love some input! whop
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Post by Simple Man on Mar 19, 2014 12:30:38 GMT -6
Whooper, as a general rule, do the exact opposite of whatever Juan says. But seriously, do the opposite of what Juan says.... I've done it both ways through the years and haven't had a transom fail yet. That being said, The school of thought that as a boat ages, that's just more load on an already aging transom makes sense to me. I support my motor with the built in trailering support.
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Post by Juan on Mar 19, 2014 17:59:22 GMT -6
Stick with the chunk of wood the dealer gave ya... it's worked for me and a 12" piece of 4 x 4 is cheaper than a "wedge". ps. Simpleton... kma
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Post by Simple Man on Mar 20, 2014 8:34:33 GMT -6
.... .....
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Post by T-Topless on Mar 20, 2014 9:53:12 GMT -6
What? Dealer told me to take my motor off and put it in the back of the truck ...
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Post by Juan on Mar 20, 2014 15:40:03 GMT -6
T. I thought lugging a full cooler on and off the boat was tough enough. If your cooler is full at the end of the day, you aren't drinking your beer fast enough.
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Post by T-Topless on Mar 21, 2014 5:10:12 GMT -6
T. I thought lugging a full cooler on and off the boat was tough enough. If your cooler is full at the end of the day, you aren't drinking your beer fast enough. Proper cooler protocol states that coolers should be transported to/from the boat as follows:: - TO boat (morning): Full of beer and Sammies
- FROM boat (end of day): Full of Cleaned Fish
There is a wonderful process that takes place during the day whereby cold beers and sammies are replaced by fish. When either A) the beer is gone or b) the cooler is full of fish, the fishing trip is thereby ended, and you should return to your boat. This process has existed for years, although Al Gore claims his "Global Warming" predictions (now called "Climate Change" since it was cooler this winter) cover it. Off to practice this process ...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 23, 2014 14:26:04 GMT -6
Thank you all for the suggestions. It is my opinion that the lower unit be as low as possible while on the trailer, so that the weight of the motor is pushing directly down on the transom. "Low as possible" would probably mean about a 30 degree angle while towing, and I guess that would vary depending on the trailer. Skeg vs asphalt...asphalt wins every time. I went with my gut...and had the boys in the machine shop make a support. BTW Southern Cross...The name came from a song, recorded first by the Manford Man Band, and later recorded by Grateful Dead. The Mighty Quinn was an Eskimo that was celebrated by his village for being a successful hunter and fisherman...Thought it was a unique name, and the song is awesome. I'll post pics when I get the boat in the water. Winter is really putting a damper on my plans. Maiden Voyage is scheduled for April 5.
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