Trailering with Outboard

[rgranger]

Ummm, that’s not correct. While it is true that an Outboard has a density > water and doesn’t float,the water displacement of a partially submerged object still exerts a buoyancy force, which reduces the apparent (aka suspended) weight of of a partially submerged object.

The apparent weight is what the Transom is supporting, where “apparent weight” = ((Mass of Outboard) * gravity) - ((mass of water displaced) * gravity)

Apparent weight probably has very little to do with this issue. I think you were correct before when you talked about acceleration forces. Riding a swell is not nearly as hard as hitting a pot hole at 60 mph. On the other hand, I think for small OBs you can easily transfer the shock load to the winches with a ratchet strap or nylon line. I've towed mine from central VA to southern AL and to the NC outerbanks... no problems.