Do you trailer your small boat with the motor on?

[Lion hunter]

Just curious if is the wise thing to do on a riveted 12ft boat. I will haul with the motor on if I am going to the river which as only a 1/2 mile from my house, but if I go any farther I put the motor in the truck.

 

[Nobody]

Re: Do you trailer your small boat with the motor on?

I have a 14' Valco with a 9.5 Johnson and always take the motor off, most of it has to do with taking the boat to work (for those evening fishing trips) and having to park on the side streets where anything left out will be missing.

 

[clarkbre]

Re: Do you trailer your small boat with the motor on?

I have had 2 boats (12' Valco/9.8 Johnson and a 16' Lund/15hp Suzuki) and have always trailered them with the motor on the transom. I have never had any issues because of this. On both boat/trailer set ups, the bunks ran all the way to the back of the boat and supported the transom. I also always trailer with my motor in the down position (there is always good ground clearance). With the motor down, I think this puts the least leveraged stress on the transom.

In all, I think it's an ok thing to do as long as the motor isn't bouncing around and putting undue stress on the transom.

 

[spunkyjr]

Re: Do you trailer your small boat with the motor on?

Yep, been doing it for 40 years and haven't had any problems. Just put the motor down. If you still don't feel OK with the set up by a transome saver for around $25 bucks to support your motor and hit the road.

 

[fortyfreak9]

Re: Do you trailer your small boat with the motor on?

I had a 14 Alum, with a 8 HP rude and I always took the motor off. But my transom was weak and the 8 HP motor wasn't very heavy.

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

Re: Do you trailer your small boat with the motor on?

I have a 14' Jon boat and I trailer with the motor a 25hp mariner in place. I also have a transom saver.

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Do you trailer your small boat with the motor on?

Ok thanks guys. My main concern was not the transom but loosening the rivets at the back of the boat.