Power testing on the trailer?

[model14]

Is it wise to do power testing with the boat tied down on the trailer and the stern drive fully submerged before a fully launched and floating power test? I am trying to avoid the hassle of finding out the motor won't run at power in gear while out in the middle of the river.
Thanks,
Richard

1988 ThunderCraft 162, 2.5L Mercruiser restoration.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: Power testing on the trailer?

What you are talking about can also be considered "power loading", illegal at most ramps.
There is no problem with it if the ramp you are using is made to withstand the wash made during the operation.
You can check with your local ramps and see which are made to support power loading and which are not.
There is no problem running the motor at the launch on the trailer, or even briefly putting it in gear if you don't rev the motor and cause a wash.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Power testing on the trailer?

Is it wise to do power testing with the boat tied down on the trailer and the stern drive fully submerged before a fully launched and floating power test? I am trying to avoid the hassle of finding out the motor won't run at power in gear while out in the middle of the river.
Thanks,
Richard

1988 ThunderCraft 162, 2.5L Mercruiser restoration.

Ayuh,.... As with everything else,..... It Depends,....

Not only will ya scour out the ramp, ya could end up in the backseat of yer tow unit,....

 

[model14]

Re: Power testing on the trailer?

I see guys power loading there boats on to the trailer all of the time at our ramp, so it is either legal, or illegal and nobody cares. I was more referring to worry that I might cause damage to my outdrive/motor by running under high power with the boat not in motion. Not sure whether the prop loading is more or less for a given RPM if there is no boat motion. What do you think?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Power testing on the trailer?

...I was more referring to worry that I might cause damage to my outdrive/motor by running under high power with the boat not in motion. Not sure whether the prop loading is more or less for a given RPM if there is no boat motion. What do you think?

No worry about that. You will not harm anything doing what you describe. (As long as it stays on the trailer!)

There are not many times that an engine will not work under load anyway - especially once it is warmed up. I see it as an unnecessary "precaution." I would think a better solution is to tie up at the dock after launching the boat and let the engine warm up before getting underway. Plus, that way you are not keeping the ramp tied up if and when it gets busy.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Power testing on the trailer?

I see guys power loading there boats on to the trailer all of the time at our ramp, so it is either legal, or illegal and nobody cares. I was more referring to worry that I might cause damage to my outdrive/motor by running under high power with the boat not in motion. Not sure whether the prop loading is more or less for a given RPM if there is no boat motion. What do you think?

There's a difference between running the boat on the trailer on the driveway vs in the water. It is not advised to rev up the engine while the boat is out of the water because it is relying on prop loading to correctly load the engine. It has nothing to do with boat motion, only that the prop has something to push against. On the trailer in the water is perfectly fine.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Power testing on the trailer?

I have always used the engine to load the boat. Have taken many boats to the ramp to test. Never heard anyone say anything about an issue unless someone couldn't use the ramp because of it. All states are different and therefore check with the local game warden, or municipality for any issues. Guess one of these days I could wind up in a state and power load as usual and find out I'm getting a ticket, but until then, throttle up

 

[agallant80]

Re: Power testing on the trailer?

I think most ramps today can handel power loading. With that said its still a bad idea to test your boat in the manor you are asking. If something gives you could end up crashing in to the back of your truck, you could break something on the trailer and go flying etc.

As for power loading. I was guilty of doing it but I discovered that the boat sits better on the trailer if I crank her on.

Do Not Power Load Your Boat - YouTube

 

[model14]

Re: Power testing on the trailer?

Listened to good advice. Didn't do the power runup on the trailer. Idled away from the dock and cranked her up. All went well. This completes my restoration of a 1988 2.5L Alpha One.