Trailering and Running with Kicker

[JeffM]

So I am reading the instructions and my new 9.8 kicker says the trim is not made for trailering and to trailer with the motor down if possible.  It says to use a transom saver if you cant drive with it down.  This got me thinking about running the boat as well.  I was picturing the motor up when not is use but now I am wondering how this works.  Anyone have any input? 

 

Thanks

[Hookedup]

If your running down lake with main motor you got to have kicker out of water. When at the dock i keep it up out of the water but I do keep it down while trailering down the road.

[Chas0218]

The main reason is the added stress on the hydraulic cylinder. If you keep it up when trailering you will see premature failure of the trim tilt unit. The bumps on the road are completely different than the waves you hit while running.  

 

Does the motor have a lock out when it is in full up position?

[ERABBIT]

I locked mine out in the full up position while trailerling the short distance from camp to lake save a little time...... cost over $600.00 in repairs..... I don't save a little time anymore......

[JeffM]

What exactly do you mean by locked out?  I believe mine has a metal pin that holds the motor in the tilt position.  It is not a power trim unit. 

[ERABBIT]

That's the same as mine Jeff.

[Chas0218]

Is there a little lever that can be flipped down when the motor is at full tilt? It is generally located near the top of the transom mount. My bigger 88 johnson has one and my father in laws yammie too.  I tried looking at a picture of the motor online and couldnt really tell if it had one.

 

My 8hp johnson (non hydraulic tilt) has a lever that says tilt on it and will engage allowing the motor to stay tilted up while running. Maybe you have something like that?  I don't know much about those motors. but thought it might be an option.

Edited March 25, 2013 by Chas0218

[JeffM]

I locked mine out in the full up position while trailerling the short distance from camp to lake save a little time...... cost over $600.00 in repairs..... I don't save a little time anymore......

 

 

So what would you have done different to trailer?  Just put in the down position?

[ERABBIT]

Yes I trailer with it DOWN now.....sorry was not clear on that point. I was trying to say what happened to me when I didn't trailer with it down..........

[JeffM]

Thanks ERABBIT.  Do you have any additional support when running?  I am picturing some of the waves we hit on Erie and Ontario and I am wondering how it will hold up if it cant handle trailering. 

[Chas0218]

If your transom stays in the water then you shouldn't have any real bumps at the back of the boat when running.

 

That is why they say the best ride is in the back of the boat.

 

Let me edit that: That is why they say the smoothest ride is in the back of the boat. Normally it is the wettest too.

Edited March 26, 2013 by Chas0218

[bottom-feeder]

right or wrong i trailer mine  (alot) with the motor down...also i use a cinch strap to help control the bouncing when trailering....when in the water motor is always in down position

[Chas0218]

Always trailer it down if possible. When running in the water it should be in the upper most position.

[thumbburn]

mine is always in the down position......no need to unhook the ez steer........i put a strap around bottom of motor when trailering to prevent from bouncing

[jimski2]

Decades ago we would trailer our Cedar Strip Nipissing boats with the engine removed and lying in the deck of the boat, mainly to save the transom.

[Kuba]

My 50hp has a sliding pin to lock it in 'up' position. Should I trailer it down too?

[Chas0218]

My main running motor I trailer all the way up because the motor head and lower unit are really similar in weight and balance each other out so it isn't always pulling on the transom.

[wildgooseways]

Trailering - both engines down on transom savers

Running to and from fising location - big engine down - kicker up on lock out

Trolling - both engines down

 

Trailering is from Annapolis, MD to Olcott, then maybe Niagara, Wilson, Point Breeze - depends on the fish!

[fbg14619]

Thanks ERABBIT.  Do you have any additional support when running?  I am picturing some of the waves we hit on Erie and Ontario and I am wondering how it will hold up if it cant handle trailering. 

 

I found that the best way to handle it while trailering or running the boat is not to rely on the pin or lever that is on the motor that is designed to keep it up. It will not hold.  I got a seasoned piece of wood ( an old ax handle ) and cut it down so it fits snugly in the space between the motor and the mount. Wedge it tight enough so there is as little play

as possible but not so tight that you cant pull it out when you reach the spot that you want to put the kicker down and

use it.