Motor hitting the road

[March]

Never used the ETEC bracket during trailering. It's obviously too flimsy for that.
Instead, I've always used a sturdy piece of styrofoam wedged between the titled engine and the mounting parts. Lowered the engine a bit to hold it in place. The engine settles snugly onto the styrofoam. Sure, if the hydraulics fail (the only reason for the engine to come down from the 'up' position), it'll most likely come down even harder and eventually make the styrofoam crumble, but I would be able to see that ahead of time, as I check the trailer at every stop.
If the hydraulics should fail while I am on the road, I would turn around and head straight back home. That is not something to toy around on the ramp, before launching.
On the other hand, a 2x4 piece of wood would keep the engine in the up position, even with failed hydraulics, all the way to the ramp

[EZ]

ETECs have a motor support on the port side that rotates down to hold the motor in place. You lift the motor all the way up, rotate the lever into place, and then back the motor down onto it.

Don't all outboards have such a lever?

While I've never seen an outboard that did not have a lock up lever, it doesn't mean they don't exist.

As mentioned above, that little tab is for holding the motor in the tilt up position, but is not usually robust enough to withstand the stress of trailering, at least over rough terrain. Like the tilt up, tilt down functions, and when to use them, this info is likely to be found in owner's manuals.

Ps. (I checked) The E-Tec manual warns that it may cause damage to use the tilt lock for trailering (again, I have not seen otherwise for other motors I've owned over the last several decades). If road clearance requires tilting the motor, the manual recommends the use of an "accessory trailering bracket".

http://www.operatorsguides.brp.com/Oper ... 5%20EN.pdf

That's funny. P40 of this manual states there is a tilt support for trailering....

[RobertB]

I never had issue with the tilt lock lever on the ETEC60. This is a supplement to the hydraulic system and I have seen no deformation to the lever (except when one of my sons tried to lower the motor hydraulically when still locked ).

[Mac26Mpaul]

ETECs have a motor support on the port side that rotates down to hold the motor in place. You lift the motor all the way up, rotate the lever into place, and then back the motor down onto it.

Don't all outboards have such a lever?

While I've never seen an outboard that did not have a lock up lever, it doesn't mean they don't exist.

As mentioned above, that little tab is for holding the motor in the tilt up position, but is not usually robust enough to withstand the stress of trailering, at least over rough terrain. Like the tilt up, tilt down functions, and when to use them, this info is likely to be found in owner's manuals.

Ps. (I checked) The E-Tec manual warns that it may cause damage to use the tilt lock for trailering (again, I have not seen otherwise for other motors I've owned over the last several decades). If road clearance requires tilting the motor, the manual recommends the use of an "accessory trailering bracket".

http://www.operatorsguides.brp.com/Oper ... 5%20EN.pdf

That's funny. P40 of this manual states there is a tilt support for trailering....

I think that's on 75hp and up model ETECs. See here:
http://www.etecownersgroup.com/post/Con ... on-5468727

[mastreb]

I've always trailered (10,000 miles) with the engine backed down onto the lift lever. It stands up to holding the motor just fine.

[seahouse]

ETECs have a motor support on the port side that rotates down to hold the motor in place. You lift the motor all the way up, rotate the lever into place, and then back the motor down onto it.

Don't all outboards have such a lever?

While I've never seen an outboard that did not have a lock up lever, it doesn't mean they don't exist.

As mentioned above, that little tab is for holding the motor in the tilt up position, but is not usually robust enough to withstand the stress of trailering, at least over rough terrain. Like the tilt up, tilt down functions, and when to use them, this info is likely to be found in owner's manuals.

Ps. (I checked) The E-Tec manual warns that it may cause damage to use the tilt lock for trailering (again, I have not seen otherwise for other motors I've owned over the last several decades). If road clearance requires tilting the motor, the manual recommends the use of an "accessory trailering bracket".

http://www.operatorsguides.brp.com/Oper ... 5%20EN.pdf

That's funny. P40 of this manual states there is a tilt support for trailering....

My caveats apply to the engines in this manual (the one in the link) as well. If you read on it warns against using the tilt lock for trailering. (Actually, just inspect it yourself- it does not look like it was made to take a lot of force, even its location, high up, close to the fulcrum suggests that). Note there is a distinction between the tilt lock, and trailering lock, or bracket.

[seahouse]

I've always trailered (10,000 miles) with the engine backed down onto the lift lever. It stands up to holding the motor just fine.

Yes, the manufacturer is probably erring on the side of caution here. Having said that, it is also important to be aware that every bridge that collapsed worked fine right up until the second it collapsed.

[Mac26Mpaul]

Well I just don't know if it was the local boat shop that did it, or if it collapsed on the road, but mine is no longer there...




And so I will err on the side of caution and not bother trying to replace it (they are expensive anyway), and just fashion something to do the job

[kadet]

Roads must be too rough in Oz mine lasted 2 years before breaking Though there is a railway line between me and the ramp which gives a nice wiggle to the as we go over it. Shock load

[Mac26Mpaul]

ahh so your's broke too Kadet. Did you bother ordering the part to fix it, not sure that I'll bother. How are you holding the motor up when trailering then?

[kadet]

Did you bother ordering the part to fix it

No.. Unless a new furler counts as fixing it

[Mac26Mpaul]

No but it counts as a more sensible way to part with boat dollars

Well I just copied seahouse and made this. Could'nt find a spring in my junk pile,but found this bit of threaded rod.



Only I found that once you lower the motor it is solid as a rock and doesn't need the threaded rod.



Simple and way more support than that flimsy bit of metal gave.

[seahouse]

No but it counts as a more sensible way to part with boat dollars

Well I just copied seahouse and made this. Could'nt find a spring in my junk pile,but found this bit of threaded rod.



Only I found that once you lower the motor it is solid as a rock and doesn't need the threaded rod.



Simple and way more support than that flimsy bit of metal gave.

Well done, Paul. I couldn't have done better myself!

[kadet]

Paul I think you have assigned me my next project

[kurz]

I put a line from the motorfoot and go to the mast.
Why construct a new part?

And: If you really have bad roads and a shock load pulls a your motor - isn't it far better to have fendered line than a hard support under the motor????