Can the motor be mounted when trailering the boat?

[LoveTwoSail]

Is is safe, or smart, to mount the outboard motor on a spring motor mount while trailering the boat?

The motor weighs around 90lbs.

I say that it is not a good thing to do. I don't think the transom is strong enough.

But as we get older, it would be easier to mount the motor at home. With the wing keel, the boat sits high on the trailer and the motor has to be lifted up several feet to reach the motor mount. At the back of the driveway, there is 3 foot rise. With the boat backed up to the rise, the motor only has to be lifted about 2 inches.

It is about 45 minutes to the lake where the boat is docked. The wife thinks we should try it.

We did try it one time on our previous sailboat, but it had a strengthened V notch in the back, and was strong enough to carry the motor. However, the weight distribution was then wrong, and the boat swayed badly. We never tried that again.

 

[todd brown]

Not advisable. The load from shock on the road may be too much for the mount/transom. Mount upon arrival at ramp, and you won't risk dropping it in the water.

 

[sdstef]

Is is safe, or smart, to mount the outboard motor on a spring motor mount while trailering the boat?

The motor weighs around 90lbs.

I say that it is not a good thing to do. I don't think the transom is strong enough.

But as we get older, it would be easier to mount the motor at home. It is about 45 minutes to the lake where the boat is docked. The wife thinks we should try it.

We did try it one time on our previous sailboat, but it had a strengthened V notch in the back, and was strong enough to carry the motor. However, the weight distribution was then wrong, and the boat swayed badly. We never tried that again.

I would not try it, for same reason the previous poster gave. Why is it easier at home than at the launch ramp? Boaters are normally a helpful bunch, especially sailors. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to ask someone at the dock for a quick hand if I needed it.

 

[Technodad]

My 2 cents.....
I have on occasion put the outboard into the back of the pick up for going to the marina (15 miles) but now do not bother. For the last 3 years I have traveled with my 116lb outboard on the transom. I lower the motor down to be closest to the transom.
A couple of times I tied a rope from the lower case of the motor up to the cleat to keep it from wobbling around but my bracket is very ridgid so probably doesn't need it.
I have had no problems doing this.
I periodically tighten the bracket mounting bolt as they can loosen under normal use.

 

[John Stevens]

I trailer with mine on the boat. It's a 2 stroke 15hp and very awkward to lift alone when I take the boat out. I do tie it off with a line to the stern rail to keep it from flopping. I've done the same on smaller boats with smaller motors without tying things off and never had a problem but the risk of something going wrong is always there.

I looked at an O'day 25 before I bought my 26 and the guy had built a brace that came off his trailer to the shaft of the motor which stabilized things. They do sell a brace for that but I'm not sure if it's long enough for a large sailboat.

https://www.easternmarine.com/outbo...ket-50073731?gclid=CImqiK-16rwCFUcV7AodoFAAnw

 

[Brian S]

LoveTwoSail, are you a member of the Nockamixon Sail Club? Throughout the month of April, we have launching assistance, and we could get that motor on for you. If you aren't a member, consider joining. It's good fun. If you are a member, let me know and I'll get you in touch with the launch captain. And even so, if you aren't a member, that doesn't mean we won't help you - let me know when you're going to launch, and I'll help you and bend your ear about joining

http://nockamixonsailclub.org/join_us

Brian

 

[kpgraci]

Before I was told I should not I left the motor on while trailering, was not a problem but I can see why it should not be done, there is a lot of shock load. I don't trailer often but with my new lighter motor I take it and the rudder off.

 

[Hydro Therapy]

I leave mine on the mount. I use two ratchet style tie downs when I trailer one on each side of the transom. One end on the trailer corner and up to the transom ring. The tie down on the motor side gets wrapped around my motor. When I tighten the strap it pushes the motor closer to the transom and keeps it from bouncing.

I trailered my boat all last season and it worked very well.

 

[Sunbird22358]

Garelick, a major manufacturer of outboard brackets, make it very clear in their instructions that you should NOT trailer with the outboard on the bracket. I might risk it for the 4 miles on town roads to/from the ramp that I use if I had a boat with a lifting bracket, but would not do so if travelling a longer distance and/or on rough roads.

 

[Terry in Naples]

For 20 years i trailered my 25 foot helms with a 10 horse motor on it. I went from boston to illinois, illinois to Florida Nd back