Hauling w outboard

[JAM]

I have an 84 O'Day 222 with an Nissan 4.5 Hp mounted on the transom. Planning to haul the boat to Florida from Indiana.Could the weight of the outboard cause any damage or stress to the stern or transom? Distance is about 1,000 miles. If potential for damage, any suggestions?

 

[hman]

Don't take the chance

I trailer my O'day 23, I put the outboard in the back of the van I use to haul the boat, then put the motor on when I step the mast and set the rigging before launch. I have heard too many horror stories of motors being stolen in resturant parking lots or worse, coming loose and falling off during transport. I know of a Santana 20 owner that this happened to. He didn't loose the motor, but the prop and shaft were shot after bouncing along behind the boat on the freeway dangling from the safety chain.....

 

[Steve Morris, 1978 0'Day 25, "Second Wind"]

Tongue Weight

My last boat was a Laguna Windrose 24. I used to trailer it extensively. When the outboard was on the mount it added undesirable weight to the back of the boat. This lightened the trailer tongue weight and caused the trailer to want to fishtail at higher speed. To cure this I wrapped the outboard in plastic, to protect my upholstery, and put the engine in the V-berth. The increased weight on the trailer tongue improved trailering considerably.