Motor transport

[chadwiseman]

Wondering if most people leave their outboard on the boat for transport from home to the dock and back, or remove it and reinstall it each time. If you leave it on do you tilt it or leave it down?

[NiceAft]

I have no experience with a 26S, but can there be so much of a difference between the S,D, M,& X when it come to your question?

I transport with the motor tilted up. When my sits in my driveway (most of the time), the motor is in the vertical position (told to do this by my motor mechanic).

The difference may be in the size and weight of my 50HP and what you have? That fifty is far too heavy to remove. It's not coming off other than being replaced.

[OverEasy]

Hi NiceAft!

What? And I thought you were takin’ the motor on n’ off one handed all this time!
It’s only old foggy wimps like me who left the engines on!

[Jimmyt]

Wondering if most people leave their outboard on the boat for transport from home to the dock and back, or remove it and reinstall it each time. If you leave it on do you tilt it or leave it down?

I'm assuming you're asking about the classic macgregors and not the hybrids.

How is your motor mounted on the boat? How much does your motor weigh? Clamps, or through-bolts holding the motor on the mount? How far are you transporting it? What is max speed during transport? Do you have smooth roads, or is it a rough transport (I have a rough railroad crossing to get to my favorite ramp)?

It's always better to put in as much info as possible, to clarify your question. Otherwise, the quality of the responses may be less than optimal.

A mounting bracket that has an adjustable height feature with notches that could be dislodged by a heavy bump - dropping the motor a couple of feet would concern me if I had several miles to tow at decent speed. I would want through bolts on the mount, and I would ratchet strap the assembly in the raised position for the tow. I would tow the motor in the vertical position if clearances allow (absolutely no possibility of the foot contacting the ground). Otherwise, I would tow with it tilted with ratchet straps or a foot support to stabilize the motor. Since you have a 26S, I'm assuming you have a small outboard without power tilt/trim. Also looks like the 26S has a mounting location that is part of the transom, and the stock trailer height might be sufficient to tow with the motor vertical.

If Sumner did it that way, it must be right...
http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... 1-2010.jpg

My first choice is to always tow with the motor in place to shorten setup and tear down time. Towing vertically is also my preference (holdover from carburetor days). But, if the bracket is flaky; the transport is fast, rough, or long; the clearance is low; and the motor is small; taking it off might make more sense. Losing a motor in traffic would be an expensive nightmare.

[NiceAft]

chadwiseman,

If you are thinking about towing the motor vertically, please be certain you have enough clearance. You would hate to see the damage to the prop because of an inch to long.

Since you are a wise man, this applies.

The difference between a smart person and a wise person is that a smart person knows how to get out of situations which a wise person would not get into in the first place.

[chadwiseman]

Great responses everyone. A few points… It’s a 9.9 HP which still weighs in at about 100lbs so a little tough to lift around but manageable. The is a mount that can raise and lower the motor, probably an addition by the previous owner. The roads are reasonably ok but about 25 km from the house, so I was on the fence about leaving it on for transport.

[NiceAft]

Great responses everyone. A few points… It’s a 9.9 HP which still weighs in at about 100lbs so a little tough to lift around but manageable. The is a mount that can raise and lower the motor, probably an addition by the previous owner. The roads are reasonably ok but about 25 km from the house, so I was on the fence about leaving it on for transport.

I'm impressed that 100lbs is manageable.

Over forty years in the furniture delivery business, and at 72, the 55lbs of my 6hp 4stroke is plenty. I don't think I would/did think 100lbs is/was manageable to lift all by myself, and under complete control in order to attach to the stern. You're a better man than I.

[WinSome]

Our 26c was transported with motor attached in either up or down position. Adequate ground clearance when on trailer. (Down position is favoured for 4 stroke long-term storage)
In fact it was thru-bolted to the transom. That minimized random theft concerns. We also traveled lots with rudder attached -but well red-flagged. Removed rudder for longer trips.

[dlandersson]

Mine stays mounted.

Wondering if most people leave their outboard on the boat for transport from home to the dock and back, or remove it and reinstall it each time. If you leave it on do you tilt it or leave it down?

[DragonflyMac25]

25 owner here. Although through bolted with plywood backing, my transom still flexes a good bit. So I remove mine for trailering. Its a 6hp Tohatsu Sailpro extra long shaft so a little awkward but managable for me.

I may be paranoid, but I feel better about it going down the road in the bed of my truck and not stressing the mounting.