can i test under load while on trailer?

[spacerust]

i have been working on the motor lately but i want to test her under load. is it safe to back her into the water still locked to the trailer and test her under load that way? would raising the rpms in this situation hurt anything? just wondering cuz i'm afraid of taking her for a test run and possibly getting stranded since the place i want to take her is very close to home but no one hardly uses that public boat ramp and the location is isolated. closest ramp after that is at least 20 miles

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: can i test under load while on trailer?

In my opinion i think that is the best way to test a boat under load. Little risk of damaging the motor and the boat has the greatest resistance on the motor. Plus if you have to any adjustments the boat is not moving.

 

[spacerust]

Re: can i test under load while on trailer?

thanks. i will try that then.

 

[ddrieck]

Re: can i test under load while on trailer?

Might also want to check to see if the ramp you are going to use allows power loading. I know your not going to "power load" back on the trailer but remember there will be prop wash just the same.

We have a few ramps in my neck of the wods that forbides power loading due to the damage from the prop wash undermining the concrete of the ramp.

Darren

 

[MudSkunk]

Re: can i test under load while on trailer?

check with your local marina a lot of them have small basins for their mechanics to use when doing that exact thing. might be able to use one of theirs rather than tearing up a boat ramp.

 

[QC]

Re: can i test under load while on trailer?

Let me calculate the prop slip for this . . . Hmmmmm, 3722 RPM, 1.65 Gear ratio (guess), 19" pitch (guess), 0 MPH . . . 100% slip!!!! Something must be wrong . . . 3722 RPM, 2.0 Gear ratio, 17" pitch, 0 MPH . . . 100% slip. OK, won't work, forget it

I vote for taking off the prop and simply using vice grips

Although you will be able to confirm operation under light load, as Bubba has indicated, it will be limited (or should be). I think I'd rather see you find a small puddle to run in and confirm WOT operation which you won't really be able to do with this plan.

Maybe a better question to ask is how much load will make you comfortable? Anything other than WOT will not confirm that you can make full power, flow full load fuel etc.

Wait, wait, I just changed my mind, stick with your plan, trim up a little and bring a video camera. I want to know how far a rooster you can shoot. I am guessing pretty impressive

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: can i test under load while on trailer?

Do you know someone that has a boat and could go with you???

Then you would not be stranded if something goes awry.

 

[salty87]

Re: can i test under load while on trailer?

pick a time and ramp where it won't be crowded. leave the truck/trailer on the ramp for a few mins while you tool around...won't work too well if you have a big no wake area. but at least that way you can hit the trailer real quick if you need to. been there, done that myself.

if all's well, move the trailer and run it some more.

 

[spacerust]

Re: can i test under load while on trailer?

ok, i didn't get to read most of your post before i went out there earlier today to test it. no one was there, as usual (it's an isolated area). i took my teenage son with me. basically it did as usual. idled fine but once i put into gear it died. i tinkered with the idle adjustment screw but that didn't seem to do anything. well i found this wheel on the top throttle cable and i don't know why but started adjusting it. it picked up the idle a bit so i did it to where it sounded (no tach installed) to where it was a steady but low idle. i was able to shift it and it stayed on. it didn't die. so i took her for a ride about a couple of miles down, turned her off in the middle of the river. restarted and walaa she was fine! drove around a little ways enjoying the scenes around me. beautiful! came back to dock, loaded her up, and came home a happy camper.

 

[QC]

Re: can i test under load while on trailer?

Awesome! But can you do us a favor? Since I have now figured out that this is an Outboard, would you go back and try the trailer thing with the video camera for us? No U-joints to break so it will just be fun for all . . . Thanks.