Question on trail transport of skiff

[John Sv]

Hi,
I trailer my little 14 aluminum skiff with a 18 hp outboard all around our local lakes. I leave the motor on the boat in the down position. Question though: If I am driving and trailering it for hours, on interstates at high speed and whatever else, do i leave the motor on the boat or put it in the bed of the truck? Seems like i see the motor on in the down position most of the time when I see other boats being trailered. Do people worry about the motor hopping of the transom or is that not a thing?

[DPLee]

John;

One of the biggest issues with trailering a motor attached to an aluminum boat is the flexing of the transom where it is attached to the bottom of the boat. The constant flexing of a motor against the transom may eventually result in weakening and cracks appearing along the bottom edge. This was a common repair issue for Gregor Boats and they recommended making sure the transom was supported by the trailer bunks when the boat was on the trailer or the motor supported against the trailer to help relieved the stress. Or you could just take the motor off when trailering.

Dennis

[willies99]

John,

As Dennis mentioned, stress on the transom is the biggest concern when trailering long distances. I like to get the motor tilted up a bit to ensure that I rarely smack the skeg. Then, you can either buy a support w/ bar that attaches to the cross member of the trailer, or just cinch the motor to the cross member with a rope and some good knots for the job, to keep it from bouncing/stressing the transom as much.

An 18 hp is not light, but carrying it in the truck has some advantages (less prone to theft?, less stress on the transom). However, the disadvantages seem to make it not the best solution (have to take the motor on and off, could drop it, smelly, need to build a little stand to transport it properly, etc.).

The cinch it to the cross member, buy a motor theft deterrent, alternative has been my choice on my smaller, less-trailered outboards. The bigger, more-trailered motors get the support arm to cross member treatment.

1.5 cents worth
Dan

[John Sv]

Thanks guys!

[willies99]

John,

What ended up being the fix to your motor not quite running right? Altitude adjustment? Carb/ fuel issue? I missed the final report.

Thanks,
Dan

[John Sv]

Thanks for you help on it. No fix- the mechanic said i cant run that engine in first click for long. He suggested a trolling plate but santa brought me a trolling motor!

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Hi,
I trailer my little 14 aluminum skiff with a 18 hp outboard all around our local lakes. I leave the motor on the boat in the down position. Question though: If I am driving and trailering it for hours, on interstates at high speed and whatever else, do i leave the motor on the boat or put it in the bed of the truck? Seems like i see the motor on in the down position most of the time when I see other boats being trailered. Do people worry about the motor hopping of the transom or is that not a thing?

They have a special brace to hold your motor at about 45 degrees