Quick ? Before towing

[deezdrama]

With a small 15hp evinrude outboard and the clearance in the pic.... should i tow boat with motor down or tilt it up?
Do i need a transom saver or this motor isnt big enough to worry?
Thanks

 

[gillhunter]

I would tilt it up. If it locks in the tilted position you can get away without a transom saver. Mine doesn't lock so I use one.

 

[deezdrama]

Mine does lock... thanks

 

[Clint KY]

gillhunter » 19 Jul 2014, 11:02[/url]"] If it locks in the tilted position you can get away without a transom saver.

I disagree - with the motor up every bump transfers the weight of the motor to the transom. A transom saver is just that - a transom saver. While the motor will still bounce a bit in the down position, it is not nearly as bad as when it is up. From the picture it does not look like you have a lot of clearance between the skeg and the pavement. A brace from the back of the trailer to the lower unit is not that hard to make. Mine is a 2"X2" with a bungee on one end and a U shaped bracket that fits the rear cross-member of my trailer.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Just to get it home I would risk it, but would be thinking about it the whole way. Then I would be getting a transom saver.

 

[deezdrama]

Ok, guess ill be getting a transom saver, didnt know if they where only needed for heavy big outboards

 

[Bugpac]

Id get a jack plate. Long shaft motor on a short transom. Then I would leave it down and roll. Plus you will gain some performance.

 

[PATRIOT]

x3 for the transom saver . . . cheap insurance . . . search my "Redneck Transom Saver" made for around 5 bucks, and I never have to remove it from the trailer during launch or recovery.

 

[Analog Kid]

I always tow my boat with the motor in running position is there a reason anyone should tilt it up other than road clearance?

 

[deezdrama]

Patriot... that diy transom saver looks great. So you just leave it mounted to the trailer? Did you use metal or pvc?

 

[K15997]

I agree transom saver is just good cheap insurance

 

[SumDumGuy]

Analog Kid » 20 Jul 2014, 18:01[/url]"]I always tow my boat with the motor in running position is there a reason anyone should tilt it up other than road clearance?

nope.