Association Forum - Trailering/Towing With Outboard Mounted or Not?

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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Trailering/Towing With Outboard Mounted or Not?

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Unsinkable2
Captain

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USA
273 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/25/2010 : 09:01:14

When you trailer your boat somewhere, do you take the outboard off?
I have taken it off for longer trips, but then on a few shorter trips I started just leaving it on the boat. I have a 9.8 tohatsu.

Do you leave the outboard on the boat when you tow it on a trailer, or do you take it off?

--Skipper of the Unsinkable2
http://blog.unsinkable2.com
1977 Catalina 25 SK/SR #246 "Unsinkable 2"
1964 Lido 14 #1878 "Tomato Sloop"

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 09:54:26

There was a thread sometime in the last year that discussed this and as I remember most folks (but not all) leave the motor on and bungeed or tied of the lower unit to keep it from bouncing around on bumpy roads.

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 12:50:07

I do not remove the outboard but I do secure with lines up to the stern pulpit and a set of pvc pipes to the mount and rudder gudgeon. The last long trip did find that it could still jump up to the mast so improvement needs to prevent this. Rough roads everywhere. Engine is too heavy to fuss with and is safer in place than in back of pickup.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 13:51:55

Today's 4 strokes are too heavy to remove. We've had our C250 for over three years now and the outboard has never been removed. In that period we have over 3,500 miles of towing with it. On a C250 the outboard is clamped to the transom, not a motor mount. Our outboard has never moved a bit. I have seen Jim Sweet's setup to stabilize the outboard (he has a C25 with a motor mount) and it is a very nice setup.

Edited by - on

islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3992 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 15:04:53

I second the too heavy to remove , but for peace of mind I would put a backing plate for the motor mount. I think Catalina only used some fender washers. Many of the members have done this as an upgrade.

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 15:13:21

My 9.8hp Tohatsu is on a Garelick telescoping mount. The mount has a built in stabilizer you can connect when it's all the way up that locks it in place. When I installed it, I mounted the Garelick with two 1/4" x 2 x 2 wider than the bolts aluminum plates (one on top & bottom) to distribute the load on the inside of the hull, and a 3/8" piece of HDPE or UHMW (can't remember which, it was a cutting board) about an inch wider & longer than the entire mounting plate on the outside. As far as I can tell, the engine has never moved while trailering.

Edited by - on

zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1297 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 15:27:59

We traveled, during the last few years, well over 35.000 Km (20.000 miles) with the 8 hp 4 stroke on the back. To have piece of mind a strong line is used as back-up should anything happen. It is connected from the motor to the fuel tank stanchion on the C250 WB

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 15:55:57

Good point Henk. I use a wire cable routed the same way. Even if the engine should manage to fall off, it'd be dangling off the stern. A number of things would have to go wrong to get to that point, but it's not out of the realm of possibility.

Edited by - on

two port feet
1st Mate

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77 Posts

Response Posted - 01/25/2010 : 21:37:20

With a Honda 9.9, all it took was one good pot hole, To brake the spring lift motor mount bracket. With a safety cable I’ve been nursing it along for a year and a half. I’ll need to replace it with a heaver four spring lift for this motors. I will definitely be remove the motor for any extended trips. It will be chip insurance, for next summers San Juan Islands trip,to remove the motor.Just my 2 scenes worth.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3754 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2010 : 10:39:22

I use an OMC pneumatic assisted lift with a backing plate, run a line to the stern rail and one to the trailer from my Mercury XLS Bigfoot (big lower unit, heavy motor). It has worked without a problem for 2000 miles a year.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2010 : 11:06:41

Besides a backing plate inside the transom, I added a 1/2" Starboard "fronting plate" (?) on the outside, extending well below the bottom of the bracket where it applies the most force to the transom. I never trailed the boat, but I'd certainly want that outside plate if I did.

Edited by - on

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2010 : 11:48:40

My old Tohatsu 8 isn't too heavy when lifting from behind the boat while on a trailer. I don't know if the hull/mount is strong enough to hold going down the road, but I'd hate to repair the severe damage that would happen should the mount pull through the hull. I'm just not going to risk it. But that's me....

Edited by - NautiC25 on 01/26/2010 11:49:14

gnorgan
Admiral

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USA
563 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2010 : 13:25:54

I do. No need to tempt fate on California roads nor do I wish to destroy the motor mount which was recently resprung at Garhauer Marine in Upland, CA. for far less than a new mount.
I also use one of their lifting dammits (davit) which works really well to get the heavy motor to the ground or back up on the mount. A lot of money, yes, just to lift the motor but motors and backs are a bit pricey, too.
Now, to finish the bottom paint job and go put the boat back in the water soon after a year out.....

Edited by - on

Unsinkable2
Captain

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USA
273 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2010 : 13:43:59

This is all great advice - thanks you guys. Sounds like I'll make a couple of modifications to my transom at the motor mount, and rig a couple of straps to stabilize it while towing.

Lifting that thing on and off the boat was an athletic event that I always feared would kill someone...

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2010 : 18:36:52

On the general subject, once after having my boat (fin keel) lifted out and set on stands, I enlisted a friend to help me get the Honda 8 (newer version) off. We took two step ladders... and almost killed ourselves! (I think he's still a friend...) After that, I got a yard guy to put a pallet on a forklift, lift me on the pallet up until the skeg was on the pallet. I released the motor from the mount, and then he lowered me and the motor to the ground. Piece of cake!

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5231 Posts

Response Posted - 01/26/2010 : 19:28:34

Dave,
I could not imagine trying to pull it down using a stepladder.

My son Dave (6'3" - 180#) and I remove the Honda 8 just before the end of the season and replace it right after launch when the boat is on the slip.

It weighs ~100#, and for the two of us working at ground level, it's not a major issue.

Ask me again 10 years from now.

Edited by - on

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2010 : 08:29:13

Wow, I wonder what some of yours weigh if they are hard for even two people to carry.

Edited by - on

Unsinkable2
Captain

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USA
273 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2010 : 08:39:21

If I lift my Honda 10 or Tohatsu 9.8, I can lift it myself, barely, but if it gets hung up on anything I am in trouble, so I usually have someone standing by to help lift and help guide the outboard as its lifted or maneuvered.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3754 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2010 : 08:54:17

The book says my Merc weighs 111 #, but I suspect that it is closer to 120 #. It is awkward and heavy, and it is difficult to get your body in an anatomically good lifting position to control it in that you must lift and manipulate it over your head if the boat is on the trailer or leaning over the stern rail if you are in the cockpit. My old 2 cycle was 30 # lighter, but the 4 cycle was still a good trade. The greater gear reduction and bigger gears and bearings of the Bigfoot is also worth the few extra pounds.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2010 : 14:49:53

You all must travel and/or store your boats in safe places. I had an outboard stolen off the motor bracket at a state park once . . . and once is my limit. But, I am also blessed with many friends who help one another rig and de-rig each other's boats!

Edited by - OJ on 01/27/2010 14:53:12

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5231 Posts

Response Posted - 01/27/2010 : 21:42:07

My old British Seagull 40Plus (with the recoil starter) weighs about 40 pounds, but spews oil (8:1) and drips gas from the reservoir float.

And it only develops 3 HP, so I could never get anywhere near hull speed, or power against the current in the Housatonic River when it is at full current.

While this engine is light and an unkillable motor, it has long been time for it to retire.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2010 : 06:28:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> I had an outboard stolen off the motor bracket at a state park once <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Ah, something I hadn't considered. A very good reason to lock it in the cabin when traveling.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5851 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2010 : 07:07:09

After a round of motor thefts at my old lake, I chained and padlocked it to the motor mount. The chain not only discouraged theft, but it also served as a safety chain, in case the motor came off the mount, while trailering or otherwise.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2010 : 07:22:22

Get a good lock. We use this one:

Recommended by Practical Sailor.

[url="http://www.sailorssolutions.com/index.asp?page=ProductDetails&Item=lock01"]Stazo Lock[/url]

Personally, I'd rather submit an insurance claim over a stolen outboard than an insurance claim over an injured back.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 01/28/2010 07:24:18

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2010 : 07:42:17

I suppose climate also influences this decision . . . Pittsburgh winters can get pretty cold and (in my head at least) can't help but wonder if there might be some long term consequences to letting a motor sit out in below freezing temps.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3754 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2010 : 09:02:21

Randy, that is a nice lock - I somehow missed that article. I guess I will spend some more money sine I had a motor stolen in a state park about 10 years ago. One theft is enough.

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