Are these things worth using?

[ajax5240]

The new boat has an Alpha 1 drive and I want to make sure I do all that I can to keep it in good working order.

We had used a ratchet strap on the drive of the old Volvo to hold the tilt up when trailering and take the stress off the hydraulics etc when transporting. That set up leaves a little to be desired in the looks category.

I have seen people use these clips on the tilt/trim cylinders to relieve to pressure when trailering. (Link below)

Are they worth the $20 to take that pressure off, or are they just a waste of time and money?

Link: http://www.********.com/modperl/pro...railering-Clips&i=70790&aID=603M&merchID=4006

 

[ajax5240]

Re: Are these things worth using?

Ok. Guess you can't use a link from that boat parts place that starts with an "O"

I think you know the parts I am referring to. Seen them called "trailering clips"
http://www.iboats.com/Mercruiser-Tr...0881143--session_id.010219836--view_id.270074

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Are these things worth using?

Yup, iBoats is in the business of selling boat supplies and parts, so you have to respect that.

I use a line and tie up the outdrive when trailering. Those clips would be fine too, probably easier than my method.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Are these things worth using?

Ayuh,.... I don't use 'em, or anything like 'em,....

Considerin' the hyd.s on the drive can withstand liftin' the weight of the hull with the trim, under a Full throttle launch,...
I figure the hyd.s can hold up the measly 80 lbs. the drive weighs,...

I also inspect the trim system each spring for wear or damage,...

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Are these things worth using?

Im thinking depending on how you use them or a strap you could actually be stressing your hydraulics more not less.

 

[Grandad]

Re: Are these things worth using?

I travel with 2 high visibility straps on a diagonal to the drive from my transom tiedown u-bolts. I don't like the fact that outdrives are free to wag their tails on every bump and sway of the trailer. Steering components and the hydraulics may be strong enough to take the strain but why wear them out while trailering? - Grandad

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Are these things worth using?

No need for them, if your drive is dropping during transport then fix it - otherwise it can hold itself up just fine.

 

[theBrownskull]

Re: Are these things worth using?

I just like having them along if the hydraulic system has problems. In the past my father had problems and we used the clips to hold up the lower unit so it did not drag on the ground when bringing the boat home.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Are these things worth using?

No need for them, if your drive is dropping during transport then fix it - otherwise it can hold itself up just fine.

Murphy's Law will get you on this. . . because the time that a working system will fail is when it is being towed. . . according to the law. . .

 

[ajax5240]

Re: Are these things worth using?

Murphy's Law will get you on this. . . because the time that a working system will fail is when it is being towed. . . according to the law. . .

I am a big believer in Murphy's Law, and puting myself in the best condition to avoid its wrath. I am thinking they are worth $20 to protect the seals etc from the bouncing stresses of trailering especially on the bumpy stuff I cover trying to access good fishing.

For the free swinging, I am going to get a pair of those rope lock pulley tie down things, and cross cross em to the transom tie points.

May not use it all for the short trip from home to my close by fishing lake which is about 10-15min and all paved. But if I am making the trip up the mountain pass and down 25 miles of dirt road, it seems well worth a minute of time to protect expensive stuff.

 

[ajax5240]

Re: Are these things worth using?

Yup, iBoats is in the business of selling boat supplies and parts, so you have to respect that.

I use a line and tie up the outdrive when trailering. Those clips would be fine too, probably easier than my method.

Can't fault em for that at all!

I initially had trouble finding em on here until I knew the name to search for. "Plastic outdrive support thingys" doesn't return good search results. Haha

 

[sweet addiction]

Re: Are these things worth using?

Can't fault em for that at all!

I initially had trouble finding em on here until I knew the name to search for. "Plastic outdrive support thingys" doesn't return good search results. Haha

Just an FYI....If you do order them you should know that depending on what outdrive you have you may need to cut them to size. I just got some from Iboats for my Alpha 1 Gen II and had to cut them. If you can't get a truly square cut on them they won't work right either.

 

[kjsAZ]

Re: Are these things worth using?

I also use these clips but they don't protect the hydraulics as the pressure is still there. They are there in case of a leak and prevent the drive from making a nice groove in the road. As was mentioned above a strap which holds the drive and prevents it from swinging around is also good, especially if you have power steering.
And yes, you have to cut them perfectly square.....

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Are these things worth using?

Murphy's Law will get you on this. . . because the time that a working system will fail is when it is being towed. . . according to the law. . .

Curious - do you wear Depends? (Just in case you develop incontinence some day)

 

[JimS123]

Re: Are these things worth using?

My dealer included them in the package when I bought the boat new - along with transom tie downs, flares, fire ext, PFD's, etc, etc. In other words everything that was neded or legal.

The Mercruiser Owner's manual advises to use them. That's right after they recommend changing the oil, impeller, grease the splines, u-joint, etc. Reading that was enough for me.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Are these things worth using?

My MC-1 has a loop in the top cap of the upper unit in order to use a "drive hook" to support the drive during transport (the other end goes in a slot on top of the gimbal housing). We also use trailering clips as a fail safe if the hydraulics were to fail for some reason. We've never had hydraulic issues, but it's cheap insurance if it happened. The trailering clips aren't meant to take stress off of the drive as far as I know, they're just there to prevent the drive from falling should a leak occur.