Motor doesn't drag
Jack: This season I went to a Garelick up/down motor mount: beefy enough to lift and lower a 9.9 hp Johnson long-shaft with a light touch. When I installed it, I was careful to set it so the cavitation plate is at the proper height. When raised with the boat level, the skeg just touches the water. It will drag when heeled over but this is corrected by tipping the motor forward ( I don't do this in rough water preferring to have the motor locked down and raised yet dragging.). Put someone on the bow while berthing and, yes, the engine will do the outboard burp. Sucking air instead of water for cooling is not recommended by the manufacturer but it does happen. I have found that in 4-8 ft waves (actually chop on Lake Erie), if I am careful in how weight is distributed (including crew) and search for the optimal throttle setting I can avoid burp during transit. - Kevin.
