motor tilt for launch

[RLT III]

I have a manual tilt motor and was wondering do i really need to tilt up unloading and loading
Any one one who has this set up knows it sucks hanging off the back to pull motor up to load (i have been) but just wanted some thoughts

 

[Bearfan]

Re: motor tilt for launch

I would imagine it would depend a lot on the slope of the ramp and the slope of the bottom where you're putting it in. I would rather be safe then sorry, but without knowing your specific launch setup, it would be hard to say.

 

[robert graham]

Re: motor tilt for launch

Maybe just stick a 2"x4" under motor just to hold it up while you're launching it, then easy to remove. You could keep the 2"x4" in back of boat or truck just for launching. Might save hanging your skeg on a ramp. Good Luck!

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: motor tilt for launch

Here is my take.

For launch...
definately up. The motor will not kick up if you hit something. Will definately hook the wrong way.

For retrieval...
Can be down. However, no power loading. Motor not running or running very slow, the motor will kick up. High speed will potentially result in damage to prop or skeg or both. However, if the boat is sliding backward, you do have a risk.

Obviously, up is best. In my old boat i had no power tilt/trim and I always pulled the motor up before I retrieved and kept it up until I had it back in the water. (except for running it on the muffs.)

TerryMSU

 

[Silvertip]

Re: motor tilt for launch

There is one very simple reason for tilting up during launch. It was touched on briefly but not fully explained. The simple reason is that you NEVER can be sure of what is in the water behind the boat when you back it in. Snag a solid object (like a log that floated in during high water) and you risk breaking the transom, something on the engine, or both. Tilt it up when launchng regardless what pain you suffer. Coming out is less of an issue since the motor will tilt up if it strikes something. There is a little trick that you can use here. Use a short piece of 2x4 to prop the motor up a bit when launching. You want it positioned just high enough so the motor is still well into the water when launching, but not below the bottom of the boat. Tie a cord onto the 2x4 and somewhere in the boat where you can easily reach it. When you launch, fire the engine, drop into reverse and apply a quick blip of throttle. The block will fall out and you can retrieve it with the cord.

 

[RLT III]

Re: motor tilt for launch

I'll continue to muscle it to be safe like I have been
And thanks for the tricks and opinions
you guys are great