Hello all. Thanks for the input a few weeks ago. Took possession of "Serenity" last Friday and plan on maiden voyage this weekend on Stockton Lake, MO. My question is whether or not I should remove the outboard from the transom while trailering. It is a 9.9 hp and I am not too jazzed about having to lug it back and forth from the boat to the truck and back - but I certainly don't want it to drop off at Hwy speed. Thanks for any input. Gary
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Steve Gautney
Best practice is to take it off the transom . . .
You may also find that trailer towing behavior is better with the weight of the motor shifted forward rather than hanging out the transom end. The 9.9 is perhaps a little larger than needed for the 23.5 . . .I move my 8hp to the Vberth when towing longer distances.
You may also find that trailer towing behavior is better with the weight of the motor shifted forward rather than hanging out the transom end. The 9.9 is perhaps a little larger than needed for the 23.5 . . .I move my 8hp to the Vberth when towing longer distances.
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Alan Long
Not necessary
Hi Gary I tow my 23.5 with a Honda 9.9 mounted. I'm sure it would be more stable at speed with it removed, but what a pain. If I were towing for a really long distance it might be worth it, but I've had no problems other than a little squirreliness of the trailer. Good luck , you will enjoy your boat. P.S. Some of the 23.5 trailers came off the assembly line with the axle about 2 inches too far forward, thus making it impossible to properly balance the boat. Back when my 94 23.5 was less than a year old, the axle was relocated under warranty. Alan Long S/V Random Access
Hi Gary I tow my 23.5 with a Honda 9.9 mounted. I'm sure it would be more stable at speed with it removed, but what a pain. If I were towing for a really long distance it might be worth it, but I've had no problems other than a little squirreliness of the trailer. Good luck , you will enjoy your boat. P.S. Some of the 23.5 trailers came off the assembly line with the axle about 2 inches too far forward, thus making it impossible to properly balance the boat. Back when my 94 23.5 was less than a year old, the axle was relocated under warranty. Alan Long S/V Random Access
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ken.shubert
Good Idea
It depends a lot on which trailer you have. If it's a double axle with surge brakes, there's no problem. Some of the older single axle trailers, like mine, are a little flimsy so it's good to put as much weight as possible in the tow vehicle. If you tow with a pickup or light SUV you probably could use more weight in the vehicle anyway. I put both the rudder (heavy!) and the outboard in the back of my pickup not only for weight distribution but because they both stick out quite a ways and could be subject to accidental harm. Like rear ending! I've also wondered about the distance from the trailer lights to the back of rudder? Is it legal? If you're trailering less than an hour, I wouldn't bother. Let me know how the sailing is on Stockton! Ken S/V Wouff Hong
It depends a lot on which trailer you have. If it's a double axle with surge brakes, there's no problem. Some of the older single axle trailers, like mine, are a little flimsy so it's good to put as much weight as possible in the tow vehicle. If you tow with a pickup or light SUV you probably could use more weight in the vehicle anyway. I put both the rudder (heavy!) and the outboard in the back of my pickup not only for weight distribution but because they both stick out quite a ways and could be subject to accidental harm. Like rear ending! I've also wondered about the distance from the trailer lights to the back of rudder? Is it legal? If you're trailering less than an hour, I wouldn't bother. Let me know how the sailing is on Stockton! Ken S/V Wouff Hong
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Bruce
No Problems
I have been trailering my '93 23.5 for 7 years with the engine (Yamaha 9.9) left intact on the transom. My trips have been as far as 1100 miles. I have never had a problem with it. Ihave towed with an Explorer and now with a Ford F150. Welcome to the club! Bruce.
I have been trailering my '93 23.5 for 7 years with the engine (Yamaha 9.9) left intact on the transom. My trips have been as far as 1100 miles. I have never had a problem with it. Ihave towed with an Explorer and now with a Ford F150. Welcome to the club! Bruce.
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Corky
MOTOR
I have trailer sailed for over 10 years and have never taken the motor off and never had a problem. My only question has been whether to tilt it up or leave it down and that depends upon whether you think it might drag with it down. On my new 260 I leave it down as I think it is less strain on the bracket but on my other boat I would tilt it up and never had a problem. Corky
I have trailer sailed for over 10 years and have never taken the motor off and never had a problem. My only question has been whether to tilt it up or leave it down and that depends upon whether you think it might drag with it down. On my new 260 I leave it down as I think it is less strain on the bracket but on my other boat I would tilt it up and never had a problem. Corky
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Bill Welsch
My two cents...
Looks like you have gotten a variety of responses to your question! We usually remove our Honda four stroke (5 hp) from our 240. Did not do so when we came back from KY lake last year. Vibration apparently cracked one of the motor side brackets (not sure of the official name of the part) on the motor. This was despite our taking care to secure the motor in the "up" position with bungee cords etc. Just one experience. Good luck at Stockton. We sail out of Carlyle and love it. Havent made it to Stockton yet but hope to some day. Bill Welsch S/V Renewal
Looks like you have gotten a variety of responses to your question! We usually remove our Honda four stroke (5 hp) from our 240. Did not do so when we came back from KY lake last year. Vibration apparently cracked one of the motor side brackets (not sure of the official name of the part) on the motor. This was despite our taking care to secure the motor in the "up" position with bungee cords etc. Just one experience. Good luck at Stockton. We sail out of Carlyle and love it. Havent made it to Stockton yet but hope to some day. Bill Welsch S/V Renewal
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