Long Distance Trailering

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by Hightower

Do you think the transom/engine bracket/hydraulics is subject to more forces sat on the back of a trailer going down a bumpy road or wave hopping in the high Sea's?

I would think on the road (perhaps not more forces, but different forces, I guess...)

Wave hopping, you have quite a bit of force pushing the lower unit in towards the hull; it is released when the prop comes out of the water, and reapplied when the LU reeneters the water.

On the trailer, the motor is free to move to the extent of free-play in the entire tilt mechanism and steering system. Unlike in the water, it is free to oscillate against whatever stops are there, in both directions. The force applied by the momentum is then transferred to the transom, then the hull.

Then, too, you have the boat designed to handle the on-water stresses. The trailering forces are incidental.

Note that I have no data to back any of this up; but most of the stuff I've broken (and quite a bit that others have broken) was during trailering.

jky

[Nasher]

Some pics of my set up as promised.

Note the strap and snap buckle to stop me losing the 'block' if it ever does fall out. Although thats quite unlikely.

Nasher.

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by Nasher

Some pics of my set up as promised.

Note the strap and snap buckle to stop me losing the 'block' if it ever does fall out. Although thats quite unlikely.

Nasher.

How heavy is that outboard Nasher?

[Nasher]

Originally Posted by Hightower

How heavy is that outboard Nasher?

211Kgs apparently, which I believe is quite light for a 200HP Fuel injected engine.

Note in the close up pics you can see the two bent bits of metal that are the 'proper' trailering rests.
I wouldn't trust them at all, although I've never tried them as the engine has to be almost horizontal to get them in place.

Nasher.

[IBWET]

Originally Posted by Nasher

Some pics of my set up as promised.

Note the strap and snap buckle to stop me losing the 'block' if it ever does fall out. Although thats quite unlikely.

Nasher.

That looks a well thought out solution,I've never been sure what to do with this issue,what I can say is, I trailered a105kg engine on the back of a SR4 for (to do the sums) 11,000 miles over a ten year period using the tilt lock mechanism, with no ill effects. Everyone who saw it said "big mistake",but I had no probs.

I think the whole units suffers far more on the trailering bit than in the water, the shocks and rebounds are more violent (and i'm carefull), just my view.

[9D280]

My engine will drop after about 5 miles if I rely on the tilt lock! - I don't have PTT (cue my usual request for an old one that someone doesn't want! ) so It doesnlt "self support" at all. I now have a similar device to Nasher, made from a bit of 2x2 with a hole drilled for the tilt pin and a couple of grooves i nthe top to locate it on the leg. A suitable length'ed & looped piece of rope lashes the leg to the tilt pin, sandwiching & compressing the wooden support in the middle. 2 mis to fit, holds the whole lot absolutely solid.

Although the skeg is "well" clear of the road on a nice flat surface when down, I have a speed bump to get over every trip....... That 6" clearance you have could dissappear very suddenly! (On "my" speed bump I would be looking at a slighty flat tyre would be enough to get contact!)

My vote would be a support bracket to the engine, and tow with it up.

[BruceB]

I use the usual bit of hardwood with a ratchet strap round the engine leg to both U bolts on the transom. I like the refinements of the carpet and the retaing strap though and will pinch that idea!
I have never figured out how the transom savers work, they are recommended in most outboard manuals but I have never figured how they account for the movement of the boat on the trailer?

[9D280]

Originally Posted by BruceB

I have never figured out how the transom savers work, they are recommended in most outboard manuals but I have never figured how they account for the movement of the boat on the trailer?

Likewise, but I wonder, do they fall into the "Mixed nuts - WARNING -MAY CONTAIN NUTS" category of advice?

I have to say, if my transom was at risk of coming off as a result of driving over a pothole, I wouldn't be going to sea with it!