Can I Trailer with the Motor down?

[Ponk]

The power trim motor on my outboard died and I have to take the boat to the shop to get it replaced. The motor is down and it weighs a ton. Can I bring my 26X onto the trailer and transport it with the motor down or will I have to get extra help to muscle it up?
Also, this would be the first time I am breaking the boat down for trailering. And helpfull hints or instructions on what to do, in what order would be helpfull (and greatly appreciated). I find manual is lacking the sort of detail I would like. Thanks in advance for any help.

[Paul S]

You can do anything..

Probably destroy the motor the first time you hit a bump..

I left the motor down once on my M, just moving it to the street to my driveway, and the skeg made a nice line showing where I drove. No damage,, but just made contact.

I wouldn't do it if I were you.. but knock yourself out if you want to try

[NiceAft]

Try to find a way to raise that motor.


Ray

[zephyr101]

some engines have anouther switch on the motor or when on the trailer try lifting lower end up and out and set locks you may need to loosen hydralic line or disconect cylinder to do this. if you have to loosen cylinder tie motor down as well as up so it don't bounce off locks or bend stops .without raising you could wear off the skeg and ruin the prop.

[Cedarsailor]

What brand of motor is it? If you have the manual,it should provide information about a possible manual backup. If you don't have the manual,check the manufacturer's website. Good luck!

[Boblee]

Wouldn't move it I have dug several furrows but fortunately not through concrete YET.
The motor does kick up with pressure but very slowly and with lots of pressure best to release the actuator and lift it for sure.
Under normal circumstances there is clearance but anything off a level surface will see it dig in.

[Paul S]

Maybe a floor jack, slowly jack it up. If the cylinders are empty, should go up

[Crikey]

I've seen on earlier posts here where the motor, once up, was lowered back somewhat to crush on a two by four with a safety line attached. Another was a purpose built welded up bracket hooked into the engine well and leaning against the transom. I was thinking of doing this with a wood and tubing construction as I really sweat it out everytime I trailer anywhere with the engine down and only six inches of clearance between the skeg and the road. One good bump and I bite at speed.

I've been told by two different marina mechanics that all you should do is to bring the motor into the full up position so it balances over the top of the transom. My Suzuki manual says to only transport with the motor in the down position, so as not to put large loads on the tilt hydraulics or the prop up lever. I think a 260lb teeter totter attached to the top of the transom is too much stress in this area!

Ross ....

[ualpow]

On my Merc there is a bypass plug that once removed allows the tilt actuator to "bypass" the fluid and be moved manually. Although I haven't tried it yet so I don't know how much muscle it would take.

[Catigale]

You should be able to lift an outboard once you have bypassed the hydraulic lift. Most of the mass is in the power head near the pivot point, you do have a large mechanical advantage lifting at the skeg ....I would estimate 5:1 or more. Jim and I have found if we take off our pantyhose it's easier to lift things btw.

[c130king]

Actually I find a nice tight fitting pair will better support the calf muscles when lifting heavy objects...

No wait...what I meant to say was "I never wear pantyhose..."

[NiceAft]

Admiral's Stephen & Jim,

I salute your openness

Ray

[Catigale]

...sometimes I wonder about thee...

[c130king]

Nothing but the truth...the whole truth...

Went to a retirement ceremony of 25-year Colonel I have known for about 15 years earlier this week. His parents were sitting on the front row next to a guy who was near our age...maybe a few years younger.

This Colonel has always been a little "eccentric". He is into art and poetry. He is a member of Mensa...and very proud of that fact. He wears ear-rings off-duty. He has artsy tatoos and piercings...which are fairly "counter culture" compared to the normally very conservative military officer culture. Just a little "off" and "different" from other officers. But a very nice guy who I always got along with.

Anyway at the end of his retirement ceremony he told a story about a young man (no names) who grew up feeling different and never felt comfortable being a "regular" boy...didn't date girls...didn't play sports... And then one day he met his "soldier" and over the next 17 years they were very happy but they kept their feelings "secret". And the "soldier" retired they moved out west and "lived happily ever after".

Things that make you say hmmmm!!!!

Didn't directly admit to anything because technically he is still on Active Duty (but on terminal leave) until 1 Aug 2011.

Anyway...sorry about hijacking this thread on trailering with the motor down...don't recommend it.

Cheers,
Jim

[Divecoz]

Yea.. back on topic...
A Few Options...
On Mercury there is a slotted Screw / Pin that holds the hydraulic shaft to the motor yoke .. It comes out.. ( Yamaha is a 100% copy cat company and they may have copy this??)
Try to find a fluid release if you have one it should be marked..
There is often a white(?) Plastic hex head bolt that releases fluid from the piston.. DOWN SIDE! Piston is under load in the motor down position. Couple of choices here.. SLOWLY unscrew it! KNOWING it may RIP OUT at the end...a little common sense over comes all the issues.. or .. Ruin it ...WTH its plastic..?? $3?? drill a Tiny hole through the center to release / loose/ drain... all the fluid..
A floor jack or any kind of jack and pump the motor up. Surly you have a car jack and some wood laying around..??
Have someone actuate the switch to the UP position and "maybe" the solenoid will at least open, and allow fluid travel and there by hand raising..
You can crank the trailer all the way down block the skeg "motor" and crank the trailer all the way up .
I have a piece of 1 -1/2" PVC that fits between the motor frame and the mounting swivel frame to take load / shock off my motor when trailering..
You should have a couple options ready to use before you lift the motor. There is on my Merc a factory flip lever for manually holding the motor in the UP trailering position. I dont like it I dont trust it ..