12 foot aluminum boat, trailer with motor on or off up or down?

[aarongreen123]

i have a 12 foot aluminum v hull'd boat, its a 1974 crestliner. its basically a rowboat with a motor on it. the transom has a piece of hard wood spanning the length of the top of the transom on the inside. would it be best to trailer the boat with the 9.5 johnson that powers the boat mouted on the transom or removed, and if on, would it be better for the motor to be up or down?

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: 12 foot aluminum boat, trailer with motor on or off up or down?

you should be good leaving it on the boat put it up though unless you have a good foot or two of clearance. you usually want to travel with it up though might wanna look into a transom save for longer trips with it on the trailer.

 

[5150abf]

Re: 12 foot aluminum boat, trailer with motor on or off up or down?

A transom saver is always a good idea if you are towing the boat any distance, if you don't have and you have the room under the skeg run it down btu as sbl pointed out you want some clearance so you don't hit the engine while driving.

Here is some transom savers.

http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Parts-Ac...79601--submit.Search--submit.x.41--submit.y.9

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 12 foot aluminum boat, trailer with motor on or off up or down?

Well...... my 14 ft aluminum fishing boat get's special treatment when I tow it with the 9.5 johnnyrude motor.

I have 2 motors that I use depending on my mood and where I am going to launch. I really do not want to hurt the small tilt lock on my 9.5 (same as a 9.9) HP so........ I lay the motor inside the transom well and do not mount it. There is zero stress on the transom and no chance of an accident. It mounts in just a minute of tightening the hold downs. Quick, safe and easy.

Now when the 18 HP is mounted I use an additional ratchet strap to relieve tension and also use a wood block with the tilt mount.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 12 foot aluminum boat, trailer with motor on or off up or down?

there is no need for a transom saver for a small motor (or any motor but that's a difference of opinion). Down is better if you can.