Can I run my motor with the leg NOT locked down to power trim plate?

[BonairII]

Just installed CMC trim/tilt on my 1977 Evinrude 75hp.

Previous to the CMC, I always ran my motor with the leg in the unlocked position (in case I hit an underwater obstruction).

The only disadvantage of it being unlocked...is that the leg tries to climb out of the water if I run reverse too fast, which is fine with me. I'd rather have that issue, than risk tearing off my LU if I run into a shoal, log, etc

Can I run my motor "unlocked" to my CMC?

 

[JimS123]

Re: Can I run my motor with the leg NOT locked down to power trim plate?

I used to have the same motor. As I recall you were supposed to have it locked at all times when running. You only unlock it when you want to manually tilt it up for beaching, trailering, etc. The catch is not very secure and should release if you hit something.

After a few years I installed a factory OMC trim unit and thus HAD to deactivate the lock. In that case if I hit something you had to rely on the trim cylinders releasing the pressure.

In your case, if you want to leave it unlocked and did it before, I don't see why you couldn't do it now. What does the CMC directions say?

 

[boobie]

Re: Can I run my motor with the leg NOT locked down to power trim plate?

If it was my mtr and wanted to do it, I would. Even if you had it locked down and hit something hard enough, it would still kick up.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Can I run my motor with the leg NOT locked down to power trim plate?

If it was my mtr and wanted to do it, I would. Even if you had it locked down and hit something hard enough, it would still kick up.

Do you think it would kick up BEFORE doing damage to the LU?

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Can I run my motor with the leg NOT locked down to power trim plate?

I would Never run a motor in forward locked down. .02

 

[JimS123]

Re: Can I run my motor with the leg NOT locked down to power trim plate?

I would Never run a motor in forward locked down. .02

That's contrary to what OMC tells you to do.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Can I run my motor with the leg NOT locked down to power trim plate?

Do you think it would kick up BEFORE doing damage to the LU?

It'll do damage whether its locked or not.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Can I run my motor with the leg NOT locked down to power trim plate?

In those old Evinrude commercials(I think the links were posted somewhere here). The boat driver intentionally drove over a submerged log and the motor kicked up and over the log. I'm curious if the motor was locked down during testing.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Can I run my motor with the leg NOT locked down to power trim plate?

In those old Evinrude commercials(I think the links were posted somewhere here). The boat driver intentionally drove over a submerged log and the motor kicked up and over the log. I'm curious if the motor was locked down during testing.

Remember the old James Bond movie where they drove the boat flying thru the air over the highway? The next scene they drove 50 yards across the lawn, thru a wedding party and landed in a pool. In each case the motor came out running perfectly with nary a dent. James got away each time in the same boat to fight another day.

Back in the day I remember reading the true story of the ordeal in Trailer Boats Magazine. As I reacll, they destroyed something like 80 boats just to film the few scenes.

Don't believe everything you hear. Its all Madison Avenue!

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Can I run my motor with the leg NOT locked down to power trim plate?

But less damage when locked. again .02

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Can I run my motor with the leg NOT locked down to power trim plate?

An outboard is putting thrust at the transom. why in the heck would you not want the motor to kick up without the least resistence?

 

[JimS123]

Re: Can I run my motor with the leg NOT locked down to power trim plate?

An outboard is putting thrust at the transom. why in the heck would you not want the motor to kick up without the least resistence?

The OMC "locking bracket" amounts to a pair of slotted forks that hold on to the tilt pin. The leading edge of the slots are rounded. They hold on tight enough to keep it in place under the pressure of reverse engine thrust. Try it when the boat is on the trailer....pull up on the skeg with a sharp force and the bracket will pop right off.

On the newer motors the reserse lockout holds the motor very tightly and you can't hardly pull it up. However, when switching to forward they automatically disengage.

I don't believe half of what I read and 3/4 of what I hear, but I do believe owner's manuals because i think the manufacturer knows more than me. Having been there and done that (and hit stuff as well), I would worry more about the thud that the motor makes when it hits the transom on its way down after an agressive reverse needed so I didn't hit the dock.