How Do You Keep An Outboard From Moving While Trailering?

Should outboard motor be up or down when trailering?

Generally, you should tow your boat with the motor down, especially if your trailer offers good ground clearance. Additionally, most manufacturers recommend that you should pull your boat down. However, you can choose to tow with the motor up if you desire ground clearance.

Do you need a transom saver?

the correct answer is,yes,you need a transom saver. even though boats are designed to flex and move in the water,they are not designed to be rigidly mounted to a trailer with a motor bouncing on the back that is flexing and stressing the transom with every bounce.

How do you support an outboard when trailering?

If you do not have hydraulics, the transom saver must be securely fastened at both ends with a strap or bungee cord to ensure that it doesn’t pop out as the motor bounces around. A traditional transom saver attaches to the trailer frame and outboard. Evinrude outboards use a lock arm.

How do I protect my boat from theft?

Store it

1. Storing the boat and trailer in a locked garage, mini-storage warehouse, or secured boat storage facility.
2. Taking off at least one wheel from the trailer, if you store your boat outside.
3. Using a high-security chain and quality lock to secure the boat and trailer to a tree, post, or other fixed object.

Is it easy to steal an outboard motor?

Outboard motors, which are obviously designed to be detachable, are relatively simple to steal especially compared with integral motors. Outboard motors can be high value items, which are expensive to acquire legitimately and this opportunity and incentive is what is driving this trend and the thieves.

How do you transom an outboard bolt?

Allow the boat to sit in a dry location for 24 hours if the transom hole contains water. Puncture the top of a marine sealant tube with the point on the cap. Apply a bead of marine sealant around the smooth shank section of the mounting bolt. Slide the bolt into the transom hole.

Should you store your boat with the motor up or down?

When you park the boat for the winter keep the motor trimmed or tilted down, especially if it’s outdoors. This will allow all of the water to drain out of the motor’s cooling system. If it’s tilted up, some water may remain in the motor, where it can freeze and cause a cracked block or a ruined water pump housing.

How high should transom saver?

You’ll probably want a transom saver that extends from 21” to 31” which gives many options to position your outboard optimally on the trailer.

Does mercury recommend a transom saver?

Hydraulic Trim and Tilt Damage
While there is a lot of debate on the transom savers or motor support issue, we do not recommend trailering using your service/engine lock for engine support when trailering. Both Yamaha and Mercury recommend against it as well.

Can I start my outboard motor without water?

Starting a boat without water is not recommended. Most outboard and inboard engines use impellers (rubber pumps) to run water to the boat’s cooling system. Without water to cool off and lubricate, the impeller will heat up super fast and possibly damage.

What is a motor toter?

MotorMate helps you protect your investment while towing a boat – both on the highway and off-road – by keeping the outboard motor from bouncing and jostling. This kind of movement can inflict collateral damage to your engine’s steering cables, hydraulic lines, housing and finishing.

Why should a boat’s gas tank never be completely filled?

It’s important to never fill the tank of your boat beyond 90% full. This leaves room for gas to expand and avoids the potential for overflow. Ensure that all air vents and valves to the gas tank are open.

What position should I store my outboard motor?

upright position
The best way is to either leave the motor on the boat or on an engine stand in an upright position, not tilted. If neither of these are an option, try to make sure that the engine is in an upright, self-draining position. If you can’t do this, be sure that the cooling system is drained completely.

How do I stop my boat from being stolen from the dock?

Secure It. “Locks, locks and more locks,” says Fort, “preferably made of good-quality hardened steel.” Lock the engine to the vessel; lock a chain around the tires and wheels; and lock propellers, outdrives and the cabin.