Trailing Engine Up or Down

[Bigplumbs]

The gereral Mercury instructions supplied with most of my engines say to tailer the boat with the engine down. If I do this the engine and prop bag covers the number plate and also I prefer the engine up. I am generally talking of engines over 50 hp so quite heavy

What do most of you do on here

Dennis

[Phil M]

I think the intent on most trailers is that the number plate is on adjustable arms so can be positioned behind the engine, thus can be seen.

I lower my engine onto a block of wood placed in the saddle so it is positively clamped, giving a mid way location, clearing the number plate but not resting on the engines tilt support. The skeg is then far enough off of the ground to avoid damage in transit (including reversing at a kerb), and low enough that it isn't sticking out too far behind.

Phil M

[Bigplumbs]

The block of wood method is good with some engines but others just don't seem to be able to use this due to the shape of thngs


Dennis

[jeffstevens763@g]

i've started setting mine on shallow drive with a ratchet strap to keep it secure on a 25 hp 61kg

[Maximus]

Block Wood ...Soft wood works best.(which can be shaped)...held in place with Bungies or similar
Lowered Hydralicly onto wood Block (till it "Bites") and strapped down with TWO Straps ..friction or ratchet (don't over do it!) one on each side just above or below the Cav plate (whith two straps pulling in both directions and attached each side of the Trailer it counters side way stresses too) engine on its side (full lock) around 1/2 way up ...
This I've found to be the best way to take stress off Rams and engine lock/locks ect which are often woefully inadequate for towing ...especially with a Big outboard.
I have Towed a Heavy 250 HP Suz many 1000's of miles all over the Country....on good AND Bad surfaces!..

..Bear in mind the higher the engine the more stress on the Transom.
Check Straps Trailer Tyres and Bearings at regular intervals!

[ballistic650]

Originally Posted by Bigplumbs

The gereral Mercury instructions supplied with most of my engines say to tailer the boat with the engine down. If I do this the engine and prop bag covers the number plate and also I prefer the engine up. I am generally talking of engines over 50 hp so quite heavy

What do most of you do on here

Dennis

Ballistic650

I always travel with the engine partly down on a piece of wood my engine is 140 hp

[Last Tango]

Depends on the type of trim unit. A lot of them have two rams for trimming and one for tilt.
The trimming rams conveniently have a 19mm shafts, I have nylotron spacers turned for the purpose but a couple of trailer keel rollers will slip over them and that stops the engine at about the half way mark.

The boat would have to be set very high on the trailer to tow with the engine down and that would make it a PIA to launch and recover.

[Pikey Dave]

Or you could go bespoke
Transom saver

http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=73071