Towing with motor down. : (

[hodgejr]

Hiyall,<br />I gots me a Bayliner 160 bowrider, and although I consider myself a pretty cautious and dilligent owner, today I really messed up. <br /><br />Yesterday on bringing the boat home I parked it next to the garden hose where I could wash it down and flush the motor. It then started pouring pretty hard (south florida of course) and by the time it stopped it was nite, so I figured I'd park it in its spot the next day.<br /><br />Well morning came and I started manouvering the trailer in reverse, when all of a sudden I heard a screetch and metal scraping. I went out back and noticed the whole boat was sitting on the motor, with the wheels off the ground! (my home is a few feet abover street level, hence the angle). So I promptly raised the motor, parked the trailer and with tail between legs, scurried off to work.<br /><br />Question is, with the weight of the boat now being supported on the motor, could have the engine mounts been weakened? I didn't notice any structural damage but perhaps the damage is internal, if there's any. <br /><br />What do you suggest? Take it to a shop for inspection? <br /><br />Thanks

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: Towing with motor down. : (

Hi Hodge,<br /><br />I think many of us have done this, even though not many are willing to confess.<br /><br />I've done it on leaving the ramp more than once over the years, without any ill effects. Probably you'll be fine, but if it's gonna lose you sleep, trailer it down to the shop and get them to check it.

 

[Triton II]

Re: Towing with motor down. : (

Hodge, my 17-yr-old son did this last Saturday night (going forwards though) and he was mortified. No damage to gears, shafts or seals - the damage to the skeg is repairable and the damage to his pride is priceless! Best of luck, I think I'd be taking her to the shop for a check-up, but be assured OB motor skegs are tough! The transom should also be tough enough to withstand the forces, especially if you were backing her up slowly. Let us know how you go, there are many here who can put your mind at ease over shop quotes for repairs.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Towing with motor down. : (

Look it over for any obvious damages then take it to the boat ramp for a test drive. Start off slow so if there is something wrong you wont screw up things to bad. I would have a lot of sleepless nights until I did. Hell I probably would have called out sick that day. God knows I would have been until I knew things were right. <br /> PS Chin up and think of it this way. If we didn't break things someone else would for us and what fun is that? ;-)

 

[RatFish]

Re: Towing with motor down. : (

Your probably ok. Here's my story...<br /><br />I have a Bayliner 205 bowrider with 5.0L, Alpha 1 Mercruiser. Last summer traveling at about 33mph (engine humming along at approximately 3100 rpm), I ran aground on a sandbar. When the boat stopped, it was rocking side to side supported by the outdrive! I moved everyone to the bow, raised the outdrive, hopped out and pushed the boat to deeper water. I never had a problem with the boat or engine after that incident and my skeg is almost as shinny as the stainless steel prop!<br /><br />Also, ditto on what f_inscreenname advised.