What position for motor while towing?

[Fly Fisher]

I have talked to several people about the correct position of the motor while towing? I have bought a 2005 170cc with a yamaha 60f. Most people say that it should be trailered in the down position but what if the lower unit bottoms out? Should I use a transom saver? I have always had 2 stroke outboards and am new to 4 stroke.

 

[Stoney]

I always keep my Yamaha F75 up and locked no matter what distance I am going. If you read your engine owner's manual it will tell you the same thing.

-Stoney-

 

[NCangler]

In my opinion it should definitely NOT be trailered in the down position. I would recommend using a transom saver or My-Wedge product. Check the engine owners manual as it will indicated the recommended position.

 

[Fly Fisher]

Thanks for the info!

 

[JimW]

Fly Fisher,
Here is a link that may help you on this subject.
http://www.performanceoutdoors.net/forums/trailers-towing/3960-transom-savers.html

Jim

 

[glehav]

fly fisher it is also a good idea to keep the motor in the down position when you are NOT towing it when you have it sitting in the yard this will keep all the water drained out of it . when it rains. hope this helps

 

[BarryB]

So many different opinions

Hi Fly,

I've asked the same question. According to the Yamaha manual. It suggest towing with the motor in the down position as long as the skeg will not bottom out. I would guess that the skeg would have to be the same height as the last cross member of the trailer. The reasoning, as I understand it, is to keep the weight of the motor off the tilt mechanism so if the seals failed, the engine would not fall down (think of skeg cutting a new line in the roadway).

Triumph recommends a transom saver. This device attaches to the crossmember of the trailer and holds up the lower unit of the motor. It takes the pressure of engine weight off the transom and the tilt mechanism.

The My Wedge product only takes the pressure off the tilt mechanism. From what I've seen at the web site, it looks like a hollow tube with a rubber insert on one end. The tube fits over one piston of the tilt system, you lower the engine until My Wedge takes the weight and off you go.

For now, I remove the tilt pin, tilt up the motor, replace the tilt pin in the highest hole and let the motor tilt back down until it contacts the pin. The motor skeg is nine inches above the ground and the trailer cross member is also 9 inches above the ground.

I gone over some major bumps or dips in the road and so far, no damage to the skeg. However, using this method does not remove the weight off the transom.

Eventually, I may go to the transom saver. At west marine, there are several that run between $35 and $65.

 

[fridaysoff]

Barry,
Wally World has a transom saver that fits the 170CC just right for about $25. I used it on my 170CC for about 3 years.It's adjustable and fits the crossbar on the trailer.
John D.

 

[BarryB]

Hi John,

Thought Wally World was from a movie

Thanks for the info. I'll look it up on the web.

 

[Fly Fisher]

I think that is slang for Walmart

 

[Dave LeGear]

Low Budget wedge...

Make it look fancy and pretty if you want, but a section of 2x4 about 16 to 18 inches long (pending on the width of the tilt housing) also works well as a wedge. It also has some shock absorbing qualities by the simple fact that is is made of wood.

Just insert it into the space between the engine across the entire tilt housing (you will find the sweet spot to position it quick enough) and that lower the engine down until it rests on the wood. After a while you will have some grooves in the wood from the "crush" effect and will fit real nice in the same spot all the time.

So that is my low budget (save that money for the gas station) tip of the day