Tow with Engine Down or Engine Up?

[ShawnQ]

I have a 19ft Blue Wave Tunnel Hull bay boat w/an 88hp 1995 Evinrude SPL.<br /><br />The previous owner, as well as the original owner, all towed the boat with the motor tilted all the way down, and a strap on the steering wheel to keep it from turning while towing it.<br /><br />I have been doing the same ever since I have owned it, and just thought I should ask if I am doing the right thing. <br /><br />On my old boat, I HAD to lift the engine, or it would drag. On this boat, the engine/boat sit up higher, so there is a good foot of clearance between the engine and the road, even when it is fully lowered.<br /><br />Should I still be raising the engine with a transom saver or on the factory engine lock plates?<br /><br />I see no advantage to this...someone explain it to me! I would think that setting the engine up high would put more leverage on the engine weight hanging over the transom, thus causing more of a load when hitting bumps. I would think that the engine being straight down (lowered all the way) would cause the least amount of stress.<br /><br />What should it be?<br /><br />Thanks!<br />Shawn

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Tow with Engine Down or Engine Up?

Protect your motor and lift it when towing.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Tow with Engine Down or Engine Up?

Personally, I would still use a Transom Saver and tow with the Motor up and supported with the Saver. Even in the down position, there is still plenty of bounce going on back there. Maybe not as bad as when it's tilted up and unsupported, but it still puts alot of unnessary stress on the Transom. The advantage is that the motor components will last longer by not having to support the weight of the motor. The Transom will last longer from less stress and there's always that big rock, limb, speed bump or dip in the road that will eventually get ya.

 

[Terry H]

Re: Tow with Engine Down or Engine Up?

Ideally you want to tow with the motor down in the running position, which is what I am able to do, but many trailers are so low to the ground that you are in danger of running aground with l/u of motor so you would need to lift the leg and use a transom saver. With a foot of clearance I would simply leave motor down and secure so's it won't swing from side to side...that's my story and I'm stickin to it.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Tow with Engine Down or Engine Up?

I had a boat that allowed enough room to leave it down, so I did. You just need to be aware of dip, steep driveway transitions, speed bumps, things like that. If you never encounter things like that, its fine to do like you are doing. I've always been skeptical of transom savers, as the force the motor exerts on the transom while underway, and especially with full throttle holeshot action far exceeds a bit of motion the motor may have occur while towing, but it can't hurt to use one. I myself don't bother with one.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Tow with Engine Down or Engine Up?

The owners manuals say tow in the down position if possible. If you are worried about it bouncing a little, you can strap the lower unit down to the trailer.

 

[mred 2436]

Re: Tow with Engine Down or Engine Up?

ok..on this i gotta toss my two cents worth in. use the transom saver. this distributes your engines weight to two points , instead of just one. the only strain your transom will now receive is direct up and down motion, which happens to also be the transoms strongest point of support. the transom saver diverts the engines downward thrusts of energy directly into the trailer frame, ergo, no strain on the transom from front to back !

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Tow with Engine Down or Engine Up?

I'm with mred2436, take the load off your transom and put some of it on your trailer!!

 

[MajBach]

Re: Tow with Engine Down or Engine Up?

this distributes your engines weight to two points

..it also places the center of gravity closer to the transom, shortening the moment arm. My Honda manual states NOT to travel in the lower position.

 

[Jeff Peacock]

Re: Tow with Engine Down or Engine Up?

We just bought our boat, and the mechanic in the shop instructed us to use the power trim/tilt lock while trailering to keep the motor up. We've got a relatively light motor (50 Hp Merc- 204 lbs dry weight), but I'm not sure this is the best way to go. We're going to get a transom saver. The tilt/trim lock is an idea, though. I've heard a few people say they use it, and a few caution strongly against it. Might be something to look into...

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Tow with Engine Down or Engine Up?

With just the tilt lock, all the weight is still on the transom, whereas the transom saver transfers some of the weigh directly to the trailer.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Tow with Engine Down or Engine Up?

I always tow with the motor down. I prefer to travel at night so I can see the sparks in the mirror while driving.<br />They’re so pretty….

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Tow with Engine Down or Engine Up?

Rabbit,<br /><br />Thought you had an in-board...

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Tow with Engine Down or Engine Up?

* 36-ft w/diesel inboard. Lives in the water.<br />* 18-ft Avon RIB w/not-a-diesel 115hp outboard (trailered)<br />* 10-ft Carib inflatable w/rigid-keel that sees 2 oars more than the 15hp ob. Lives on the living room floor. I sit in when I watch tv.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Tow with Engine Down or Engine Up?

So you trailer the 36footer???????????

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Tow with Engine Down or Engine Up?

Stop it!!! ...

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Tow with Engine Down or Engine Up?

As my post above says, I do use a Transom Saver. But I have often wondered if the bouncing of the trailer could affect the motor, too. I mean there really is no cushion between the lower unit and the bouncing trailer and I really don't believe they bounce at the same time due to many different factors. I am going to continue to use the Saver, because it seems better than letting the motor and transom bear all the weight. But remember, it is called a Transom Saver, not a Motor Saver... and I really believe that is it's only true purpose, other than relieving some stress on the hydraulics in the lower unit.(Maybe)

 

[Greg New Zealand]

Re: Tow with Engine Down or Engine Up?

Heard a story a while back that came from a trucker who "found" a fairly modern 40 HP outboard on the side of the road. The only piece of boat was the chunk of transom that it was bolted to! What a surprise to the owner when he went to launch his boat. I bet that spoiled a good days fishing! Wonder why that happened... ?

 

[mred 2436]

Re: Tow with Engine Down or Engine Up?

uuuuh rick.....if yer boat is not riding in direct relation to your trailer....then i'd say you have serious issues with your trailer that need addressed, and it never hurts to have the boat strapped to the trailer either !

 

[bossee]

Re: Tow with Engine Down or Engine Up?

Hi,<br />For those that need to tilt up their outboard while using the trailer and do not want to use an ordinary transom saver there is the M-ywedge to use.<br /> http://www.m-ywedge.com <br /><br />I use one myself. It works fine for me. There are both pros and cons with this solution.