Outboard Motor Mount while trailering

[Maraquita]

I have previously owned a Venture 25, and now own a 26D. I trailer it on the original single axle trailer. In the past, I have always removed the outboard from the back of the boat and hauled in my truck, but as I get older, that little 8 HP Mariner seems to get heavier. So how about the rest of you Classic owners (I think I know the answer from the 70 HP boys in the Ms and Xs !). Do you leave your outboards mounted for trailering? If so, do you tilt them up, or let them stay straight down? With all of the overhang on the original trailer, any problems with them hitting the ground?

[Sumner]

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... -koot.html

We originally had an 8HP Honda on and with the trailer in stock condition traveled to Canada and back with it on the boat. Had a lot of stuff in the boat so still more than adequate tongue weight.


http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... -10-1.html

Then I modified the trailer with a third rear bunk and 2 axles and travel all the time with the 9.8HP Tohatsu on the transom. Never had a problem so far and like you I can't take it on and off anymore by myself.

One thing I learned from the Canada trip was the boat was just too heavy for the single axle as the axle was bent, probably from the previous owner also, and wore the tires out. So some of the question about leaving the outboard on also comes down to how you load the boat and are you getting near the limits of the single axle and two tires. We now also have brakes on the trailer and that was a major safety upgrade.

Two axles has hurt my gas mileage a little but the boat tows so much better and I now have a big safety margin in regards to the trailer load and what it could now handle,

Sumner

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1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[grady]

I still have the original trailer for my 94 S. It has a 9.9 remote Yamaha on it. Not feasible to remove for trailering. On mine if I leave it down it will hit in some situations so I always tow with it up. The one issue I had was the balance of the trailer (and boat). The previous owner put both batteries in the laz. The trailer was to light on the front and would start a sway at times at speeds 65 or above. I did move the axle aft and the batteries to the front of the boat. No I am probably too heavy on the front, but it tracks like an arrow now. The boat is also faster in the water.

[Interim]

Grady--

If your batteries were in the lazerette, where was the gas tank?

--john