Need some advice on towing a trailer with a 9.9 attached.

Rick.

Captain
Joined
Jul 30, 2006
Messages
3,740
Hello to all. For the past year I've been trailering my 11 foot V hull upside down on a flat deck utility trailer. I recently upgraded boat (in my opinion) to a 14 foot V hull. I also bought a used boat trailer and spent the last two day modifying it and it is ready to roll now. The boat and trailer are quite substantial and the transom is as sturdy as they come so I would like to go down the road with my 9.9 mounted to the transom. I must confess I don't know what to do exactly. The motor will tilt up a little and it's weight is carried by a part in the transom hardware that rests against the pin you use to adjust the motors angle. Once in this position I turned the motor all the way to one side and strapped it from one boat handle to the leg just above the prop and then to the other handle. I seems quite rigid in this position (not bouncy). The leg is high enough it should not contact anything from below. Is this an acceptable way to trailer the motor or am I missing something. Another option would be to let the leg hang straight down but I would think there is more likelihood of it contacting something from the road. Thanks for any guidance. Rick.
 

Bob's Garage

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 10, 2008
Messages
590
Re: Need some advice on towing a trailer with a 9.9 attached.

Rick;

Some of my best boating fun has been in a 12' semi-v aluminum boat. Your's should carry the engine just fine in the trailering position you describe.

I will advise you however to add a removeable chain from the boweye to the trailer tongue, use a heavy duty turnbuckle to adjust it tight. This will protect the boat from winch failure during transport.

Also add either a strap over the stern, from trailer rail to trailer rail, or straps from the stern eyes (if present), not the handles, to the rear trailer cross brace. This will help keep the boat from bouncing off the trailer, or sliding off sideways.

In some states the safety straps are a requirement for trailered boats, but I don't know about Canada. The reasons for the straps apply in all locations however as tragady never sleeps.

Bob
 

Rick.

Captain
Joined
Jul 30, 2006
Messages
3,740
Re: Need some advice on towing a trailer with a 9.9 attached.

Thank you Bob. I understand your comments and should have no problem chaining and strapping the way you suggest. I'm heading out in a couple of hours so your response is appreciated very much. Rick.
 

tmcalavy

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 29, 2001
Messages
4,005
Re: Need some advice on towing a trailer with a 9.9 attached.

Don't trailer your boat with the motor on the transom unless you have about a foot of clearance between the bottom fin/skeg on the motor and the pavement. Good way to rip the skeg or motor off. It's a 9.9...throw it in the boat or truck with a piece of lumber clamped in the transom clamp, so it won't slide around. Putting it in the boat adds weight/stability to the boat for road travel. Last thing you want to see while trailering is the motor bouncing around and the transom wracking with it on a bad road.
 

lckstckn2smknbrls

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Sep 18, 2008
Messages
1,114
Re: Need some advice on towing a trailer with a 9.9 attached.

Look at a transom saver. It will get you the ground clearance you need.
 

fishrdan

Admiral
Joined
Jan 25, 2008
Messages
6,989
Re: Need some advice on towing a trailer with a 9.9 attached.

^^^ Transom Saver ;)
 

Lion hunter

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Apr 9, 2005
Messages
1,529
Re: Need some advice on towing a trailer with a 9.9 attached.

Again on the transom saver, not only to protect the transom but the constant flexing will loosen rivets.
 
Top