Newby question of the day #2

[gyroplanes]

I just finished watching the "Speedy Rigger" videos.

Mention was made of a "brace" that supports the outboard during trailering.

I have the 50 hp Tohatsu. I don't believe I got a brace or support with my boat.

Should I have one when trailering?

Thanks, Tom

[Paulieb]

You can just place a piece of 2X4 under the motor when it's raised to take the stress off the lifting mechanism while trailering.
Some engines have this built in but a 2X4 is even better.

[Don T]

Hello,
I have been using just the built in support on my Tohatsu 50 for 13 years. After raising the motor and flipping the support down I make sure and run the tilt down to put pressure on the bracket so the motor does not rock and stress the transom. The Tohatsu is very light and well balanced (power head vs lower unit) but for other outboards with heavy 4 stroke powerplants some extra support in a half raised position is preferable. Making sure the motor has ground clearance and does not rock when going over bumps are the main issues.

My 2c worth

[Clemo]

Gyroplanes, I'm with Don T. The built in support works fine on my Tohatsu. And there is another reason as well.

If you leave the engine sitting only on the hydraulics, without the support in place, the fluid will bleed out of the rams.

This lets the outboard slowly drop down.

In most cases, just drive it back up before you drive away.

But I guess you could easily stuff something by accidently towing with the outboard down.

I suppose that a catastrophic hydraulic failure in transit would also cost heaps.

Tks
C ya.
Clemo

[tangentair]

Sitting on that brace seems to be good for the Tohatsu(s) based upon your posts but I would not do it with my Merc 50BF, I use the 2x4, it absorbs the shocks better, I leave it on the front seat so I remember when retreaving to use it, and I am pretty sure that my manual says not to use the flip up brace when trailering - to flimsy. There are a number of aftermarket products also but the 2x4 just is priced right and when dropped overboard it floats. This gets discussed regularly - there are several threads with the aftermarket products touted.

[BK]

I have a Suzuki 50 and the motor would always fall down after a week in the up position. I thought I had a leak in the piston and called a mechanic. He said all I have to do is remove the red cap attached to the piston and add transmission fluid. I used an old fashion oil squitter to fill up the piston reservior as it only takes a few table spoons. It worked.
I'll try the wood 2x4. Are you using the 2x4 to lift the propellor shaft from the boat or putting it under the the engine head?

[pokerrick1]

After 2 years in salt water the movable brace on my 60 ETEC FROZE and would not move (remember I keep telling people that have M's in salt water to remember to rinse thoroughly underneath the rotating mast so it does not freeze). Well I guess the engine brace is another moving part to keep free of salt.

So I used a 2 x 4 when I trailered the boat to Mexico, and it worked just fine.

Rick

[ALX357]

Some of us are using a slotted tube snapped around the ram, the shiny steel rod that is exposed when the motor is lifted, to keep the ram from resting on the hyraulics. A regular PVC 1-1/2" (one and a half inch) plumbing pipe, with a cut all the way down that is large enough to just snap over the steel rod, will stay in place even without lowering the engine onto it, but I recommend setting the engine back down onto the pipe with minimum hydraulic pressure to keep it from bouncing. You can cut the pipe to any lenght you need, for the best angle or max. up positon. Sand or bevel the ends and slit inside and out, to make easier on the hands and storage.

[BK]

It is hard to believe that a 1 1/2 inch schedule 40 PVC pipe around the shiny piston rod(ram)can support the engine. This works? For a few dollars, I will try it.

[David Mellon]

If you want to use an item designed for this purpose get Trailering Clips by Sierra in the proper size and cut to length.

[c130king]

I take it that the purpose of the various methods of bracing that are being discussed are to keep the motor from settling down where it might be damaged by striking the ground/road.

But is there any need to brace the engine when trailering to provide some support (or take some weight) for the transom?

I only have a 40 HP so probably not as heavy as some of those with 75+ HP. Is the transom plenty strong to handle bumps/bounces, the resulting forces/torque from the motor, when trailering?

Just wondering.

Jim

[BK]

Mac's have been trailered coast to coast and every which way in the USA and I have yet to see someone say the transom
strength holding the engine when trailing is a problem. I have trailered over 6000 miles and have had no transom strength problems. Where would you lift the engine weight from the transon anyway? I think Roger was very concerned about the transon strength with his new designed power/sailboat and was watching if any problems were to come up.

[pokerrick1]

I take it that the purpose of the various methods of bracing that are being discussed are to keep the motor from settling down where it might be damaged by striking the ground/road.
Jim

Certainly that is an additional benefit - - - but I think the main idea behind bracing the outboard during trailering is to prevent stress on the hydraulics and bleeding, which could cause a catastropic and costly hydraulics failure (I think).

Rick

[NiceAft]

At the first opportunity, I would hope that someone would post a picture of the 2x4 placement.

I have been trailering for four seasons now, and have never used a brace. Now don't misunderstand me. I'm not saying that I'm correct for not using one, and you're wrong. I'm saying that I never knew to use one, and that I have yet to see a problem. I'm not looking for one either, so, if anyone has a photograph of the 2x4 placement, I'd sure like to see it. If simply adding a 2x4 can give added insurance, it does not make sense to question it. Can someone give a potential problem that can occur by the use of a 2x4 brace?


Ray

[Love MACs]

I can't seem to find it right now but there is a pic of some one using a 2 by 4 as bracing. I remember it... as I thought "how odd" I didn't remember seeing that in the trailering demo nor mentioned in the manual

Allan