Trailering with outboard motors

[MRWood]

I am wondering how you guys position your outboards when trailering. I’ve mostly dealt with inboards when trailering. I have a kicker and a 225 Merc mounted on an aluminum pod. Do you trailer with the motors tilted all the way up or just part way. Do you use the little lock out mechanism to hold motor up or is there an after market device that is used to take weight off the hydraulics.

 

[kaelc]

I lower it halfway on a set of transom savers similar to this https://amzn.to/4oOHUPT #ad

 

[MRWood]

I lower it halfway on a set of transom savers similar to this https://amzn.to/4oOHUPT #ad

Thanks for that. Do you have a pic of them on your motor.

 

[Dorman Point]

I put a piece of 2x6 horizontally between the motor stops and the bracket and drop the motor down until the engine pinches the piece of wood and the rams retract a bit. Basically just drop the motor down until there is no weight on the rams.

 

[seabeyond]

Thanks for that. Do you have a pic of them on your motor.

You can bend/ break those merc lock out mechanisms pretty easy. I bent a set trailering a bit of a bumpy road circa 2019 (same motors as yours). I have seen others damged/ broken. I don't think they are intended for trailering. I run my outboards halfway down. Keeps the props out of folks faces/ reduces overall length slightly, and keeps everything clear of the road. I run aluminums so transom stress is not something I'm concerned about (no transom saver etc)

 

[Aquaholic]

Kicker all the way down.

 

[Alex_c]

You can bend/ break those merc lock out mechanisms pretty easy. I bent a set trailering a bit of a bumpy road circa 2019 (same motors as yours). I have seen others damged/ broken. I don't think they are intended for trailering. I run my outboards halfway down. Keeps the props out of folks faces/ reduces overall length slightly, and keeps everything clear of the road. I run aluminums so transom stress is not something I'm concerned about (no transom saver etc)

They not designed for trailering, you’re right. I use a piece of wood because a transom saver wouldn’t work on my trailer anyway and it cost $0

 

[Flashman]

I've used this style. There are multiple manufacturers. They slip over the trim cylinder rod, then you trim down onto them.

Outboard Trim & Tilt Support Block SCB

Outboard Trim & Tilt Support Block SCB now available at Blue Bottle Marine

www.bluebottlemarine.com

 

[MRWood]

You can bend/ break those merc lock out mechanisms pretty easy. I bent a set trailering a bit of a bumpy road circa 2019 (same motors as yours). I have seen others damged/ broken. I don't think they are intended for trailering. I run my outboards halfway down. Keeps the props out of folks faces/ reduces overall length slightly, and keeps everything clear of the road. I run aluminums so transom stress is not something I'm concerned about (no transom saver etc)

I was told that it was ok to use the lock out mechanism but I also read that they’re not to be relied upon and hence my post to see what others do. Not sure what the physics are on the transom when you have an aluminum pod but I shouldn’t be relying on the lock out mechanism.
I didn’t realize you ran a biz out of Ukee, beauty boats man .

 

[JWS]

I have a pair or these, but I definitely paid a lot less when I bought them.

TH Marine Outboard Motor Stik : Amazon.ca: Sports & Outdoors

TH Marine Outboard Motor Stik : Amazon.ca: Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.ca

 

[salmonkiller01]

I use the lock mechanism, no issues this far in my boating life. I am pretty casual trailering and stay on pavement. Probably towed to gold river 50 plus times.

 

[seabeyond]

I was told that it was ok to use the lock out mechanism but I also read that they’re not to be relied upon and hence my post to see what others do. Not sure what the physics are on the transom when you have an aluminum pod but I shouldn’t be relying on the lock out mechanism.
I didn’t realize you ran a biz out of Ukee, beauty boats man

Thank you. That Seasport of yours looks like an ideal trailerable platform. I'm happy the balance of the conversion worked out so nicely for you.

I'd think the weight is so well distributed on your transom that a transom saver aint relevant.

I used a piece of split cedar as a transom saver on a 176DE with a yam 115 for years. Just stuck it in there horizontally and lower the engine till it gently pinches it in the midsection. Worked dandy.

 

[Captain PartyMarty]

Kicker down. Block of wood clamped by the main is my go to

 

[kaelc]

Thanks for that. Do you have a pic of them on your motor.

Here’s an old photo. Slip over the silver hydraulic ram and cushion the weight of the engine. Highly recommend the Yamaha ones I have but I couldn’t find them on Amazon.

 

[MRWood]

Here’s an old photo. Slip over the silver hydraulic ram and cushion the weight of the engine. Highly recommend the Yamaha ones I have but I couldn’t find them on Amazon.
View attachment 123092

Nice. How do you like that hydrofoil. Did you notice any difference when you added it?

 

[kaelc]

Yeah but it really depends on the engine and transmission combination. With my Suzuki it was very effective in keeping the bow down, where on the Honda it didn’t do as much. Unfortunately it fell off earlier in the year.

 

[Rayvon]

I have the same as Kaelc (different brand) that I bought off Amazon as well as a couple of rubber steering lock attachments that keep the main straight.They slide over the seastar rams.

 

[MRWood]

I see this one on Amazon. Supports the motor and comes with hydraulic steering locks.

Uueego 4-Stroke Motor Trailering Support, Fits 75/90/115/ 200/225/250/300HP Sea Pro 4 Stroke, Pro XS Four Stroke and Four Stroke Engines, Include 4" Hydraulic Steering Clips : Amazon.ca: Sports & Outdoors

Uueego 4-Stroke Motor Trailering Support, Fits 75/90/115/ 200/225/250/300HP Sea Pro 4 Stroke, Pro XS Four Stroke and Four Stroke Engines, Include 4" Hydraulic Steering Clips : Amazon.ca: Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.ca

 

[easydoesit]

I use the Yamaha rubber/plastic one for my 200HP. Fits onto ram from Tilt\trim unit. Known fondly as the Yamadildo.

 

[MRWood]

I use the lock mechanism, no issues this far in my boating life. I am pretty casual trailering and stay on pavement. Probably towed to gold river 50 plus times.

Sounds like this guy thinks having motor up like salmonkiller goes with is one way to go. He says motor head center of gravity is more even with motor all the way up