Motor Support Bars

Mike... · Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 11:20 pm Post subject: Motor Support Bars

Hello to all.

I have to trailer the TomCat for an 8-hour journey. I had planned to travel with the outboards (Honda BF150s) tilted up on the tilt-lock levers. But I was looking at the manual, at it says to leave the motors down if possible. And to use a motor support bar if not possible. Where would I get a support bar for the BF150?

The problem is when the motors are down the tail lights are a little hard to see (they are blocked a bit). And, I was worried about road rocks or worse flying up. It seems to me that trailering with the outboards up significantly reduces the risk road chaff damage.

Any one have any thoughts on this?
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mike

helm · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:08 am Post subject:

Heres one option we use for our Suzuki 200 - www.m-ywedge.com/ - I'm sure there are lots of similiar products out there.
Eric

Dreamer · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:40 am Post subject:

We always trailer with the motors completely down. It releives any pressure on the hydraulic system. Tail lights are well outboard of the skegs on the EZ-Loader trailer.

Sea Wolf · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:40 am Post subject:

Mike-

I'm sure the Honda Gods wouldn't smile down beamingly, but a lot of folks around here use a piece of wood between the part of the bracket that tilts up and the part that stays bolted to the boat to transfer the load from one part to the other when the motor is tilted up.

Just get a 2x4 or 2x2 long enough to span the width of the motor mount, and put it in there and let the weight of the motor down on it using the tilt mechanism.

They don't want the motor riding on the tilt lock mechanism or on the hydraulics, as they don't think the tilt lock mechanism is strong enough for large impacts, and/or that the hydraulics will be damaged by the stress.

The wooden "wedge" or "bar" solves the problem. Soft wood won't harm your paint, (much) anyway.

Joe. Teeth

BrentB · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 12:58 am Post subject:

Adding a light bar will improve visibility for drivers behind you

JamesTXSD · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 10:32 am Post subject:

Don and Brenda · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 11:00 am Post subject:

I had one of these on my old boat with the Yamaha motor, the dealer gave it to me when I bought the boat, it fit right over the cylinder, sure was nice to trailer with.

Nunya · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 7:21 pm Post subject:

Been using the my-wedge for a number of years now. Got all my boating friends using them also. I think Yamaha even came out with one. Built by my-wedge but with Yamaha name on it.

Mike... · Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 10:06 pm Post subject:

Thank you everyone for your replies.

I ordered the my-wedges and also their hydraulic steering centering clips.
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mike

Mike... · Posted: Fri Jul 09, 2010 12:33 pm Post subject:

I received my m-ywedges and centering clips.

Awesome!

Thanks all for the suggestions!
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mike

Mike... · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 8:37 pm Post subject:

Just an update: I moved the boat yesterday, using these products. Went very well. They were a great investment.

Thanks again for the suggestion! Smile

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mike