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Sheepshead
Joined: 21 Nov 2017 Posts: 44 City/Region: hilton head
State or Province: SC
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Angler
Photos: Sheepshead
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 2:42 pm Post subject: clearance from prop to boat ramp |
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Yesterday my trim control (both on engine and at the helm) would only go downward, no up movement. This happenned while in the water.
I wasn't sure what the clearance would be if I were to attempt putting the boat back on the trailer. Do some folks haul their boats out of the water with the engine in complete downward position? I've never tried, and I didn't want to risk somehow hitting the ramp with my prop.
(2007 angler with original stock Suzuki.)
I fumbled around with limit switches, fuses, manual, and you tube info with no luck fixing the problem.
The swim step was too close to the manual adjustment screw to be accessed while on the water too. Darkness was no help either.
Anyway, I chose to spend a chilly night on the water and had the boat hauled out early this morning at a nearby marina with a large fork truck.
A Suzuki mechanic got it working fine without actually doing anything. He suggested maybe it was a bubble in fluid or corroded connection to solenoid.
Knowing that I could be in the same position on another trip, I wanted to know if it is doable or adviseable to haul the boat out in down position.
Thanks.
If this posts twice like always, I apologize in advance:) |
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thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 20829 City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 2:52 pm Post subject: |
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Of course it depends on the trailer and ramp--put your motor all of the way down, when on a level area with the boat on the trailer. That way you can see how much clearance. With most trailers and ramps--it its OK to pull with the motor down. I trail my 25 with the motor down--and launch and retrieve the same way. _________________ Bob Austin
Thataway
Thataway (Ex Seaweed) 2007 25 C Dory May 2018 to Oct. 2021
Thisaway 2006 22' CDory November 2011 to May 2018
Caracal 18 140 Suzuki 2007 to present
Thataway TomCat 255 150 Suzukis June 2006 thru August 2011
C Pelican; 1992, 22 Cruiser, 2002 thru 2006
Frequent Sea; 2003 C D 25, 2007 thru 2009
KA6PKB
Home port: Pensacola FL |
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ssobol
Joined: 27 Oct 2012 Posts: 3382 City/Region: SW Michigan
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: SoBELLE
Photos: SoBelle
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 3:58 pm Post subject: |
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The skeg on my motor only has about 2 inches clearance on the trailer when in the down position, so I always launch, retrieve, and tow with the motor up.
At least with the Honda motors, there is a way to release the tilt mechanism with the manual relief valve. Then you can tilt the motor by hand. You can use the tilt lock to keep it in the up position. With the manual relief valve set to manual the motor will not stay in the up position by itself.
It may be possible to open the valve, then tilt the motor, and then close the valve again. Perhaps then the motor will stay up without the lock.
Check your owner's manual. |
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Discovery
Joined: 08 Dec 2003 Posts: 1239 City/Region: LOA, UTAH
State or Province: UT
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 255 Tomcat
Vessel Name: Discovery
Photos: Discovery
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 9:16 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="thataway". I trail my 25 with the motor down--and launch and retrieve the same way.[/quote]
Same with the TomCat 255. I usually have to power on the trailer, and never raise the motors for travel..
On the two 22' C-Dorys an Angler and Classic we have owned. I raised the motor after loading and used a 'transom saver' for travel. The bunk style trailers were too low for the motor to clear in some situations. _________________
Brent and Dixie,
1984 22' Classic sold 2003
2003 24' TomCat sold 2005
2006 TC255 Discovery Sold 2020
2006 CD 22' Angler Sold 2014
https://share.delorme.com/FBrentBetenson
"Free men do not ask permission to bear arms." ~ Thomas Jefferson |
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colbysmith
Joined: 02 Oct 2011 Posts: 4560 City/Region: Madison
State or Province: WI
C-Dory Year: 2009
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Traveler
Photos: C-Traveler and Midnight-Flyer
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 9:30 pm Post subject: |
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I think it best to trim the motor(s) up when launching and retrieving. I've seen a few skeggs dragged on the ground at the boat ramp. Realistically, it really depends on the slope of the ramp, and the angle of the drive to it at the top. Along with your hitch overhang from the back axle...Why take the chance, unless you have a mechanical issue with the trim, in which case it'd be worth having someone watch as you pull out slowly. |
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DayBreak
Joined: 16 Jul 2017 Posts: 854 City/Region: Monmouth, Or.
State or Province: OR
C-Dory Year: 2018
C-Dory Model: 23 Venture
Vessel Name: DayBreak
Photos: DayBreak
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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2018 10:34 pm Post subject: |
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If you are ever on the Oregon coast and retrieving out of Newport Southbeach Marina, raise the motor. I watched a poor guy drive up the ramp with the motor trimmed down and witnessed his partner yelling at him to "stop" as he dragged the lower unit all the way up the ramp. The driver could not hear his partner or else he chose to ignore his partner and dragged the motor all the way up the ramp. Talk about finger nails scratching a chalk board! I still remember this and so this is the first thing we check on our departure list when leaving the ramp. |
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tsturm
Joined: 01 Nov 2003 Posts: 1134 City/Region: Soldotna
State or Province: AK
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: JMR TOO
Photos: JMR-TOO
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Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2018 12:57 am Post subject: Re: clearance from prop to boat ramp |
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Sheepshead wrote: | Yesterday my trim control (both on engine and at the helm) would only go downward, no up movement. This happenned while in the water.
I wasn't sure what the clearance would be if I were to attempt putting the boat back on the trailer. Do some folks haul their boats out of the water with the engine in complete downward position? I've never tried, and I didn't want to risk somehow hitting the ramp with my prop.
(2007 angler with original stock Suzuki.)
I fumbled around with limit switches, fuses, manual, and you tube info with no luck fixing the problem.
The swim step was too close to the manual adjustment screw to be accessed while on the water too. Darkness was no help either.
Anyway, I chose to spend a chilly night on the water and had the boat hauled out early this morning at a nearby marina with a large fork truck.
A Suzuki mechanic got it working fine without actually doing anything. He suggested maybe it was a bubble in fluid or corroded connection to solenoid.
Knowing that I could be in the same position on another trip, I wanted to know if it is doable or adviseable to haul the boat out in down position.
Thanks.
If this posts twice like always, I apologize in advance:) |
There is a plastic clamp with a lever around the tilt tube on your motor this shuts off the UP of the tilt. (its adjustable) Mine came loose once & I had the same scenario. YMMV
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Wandering Sagebrush
Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 2770 City/Region: Northeast Oregon
State or Province: OR
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Constant Craving
Photos: Constant Craving
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Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2018 9:42 am Post subject: |
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With our 22’ and Suzuki 115, we have at least 8” of clearance from the skeg to ground. I retrieve and travel with the motor down, which is Suzuki’s recommendation (or a transom saver). Our trailer is a tandem axle
E Z Loader bunk model. _________________ "And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln |
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SEA3PO
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 1835 City/Region: Chester
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 2003
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: SEA3PO
Photos: SEA3PO
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Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2018 11:19 am Post subject: |
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I always feel the day is not over until I hit something....on land or sea...I have never hit anything at a ramp...but I once hit a dead animal when towing with the motor down...so I don't do that anymore...sure glad it was not a skunk..
Joel
SEA3PO |
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hardee
Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 12633 City/Region: Sequim
State or Province: WA
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sleepy-C
Photos: SleepyC
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2018 4:31 am Post subject: |
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On SleepyC I have skeg protectors that add a couple of inches to the bottom of the skeg, AND I lowered my bunks 3 inches a couple of years ago. NO way I could go up the ramp with the OB's down. (Besides, at the top of the ramp are the fuel fill and man hole covers that stick up from the pavement grade about 2 inches.) I have seen them get hit, take out aluminum props and break off skegs. Why would anyone want to take that chance?
Harvey
SleepyC
_________________ Though in our sleep we are not conscious of our activity or surroundings, we should not, in our wakefulness, be unconscious of our sleep. |
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Sheepshead
Joined: 21 Nov 2017 Posts: 44 City/Region: hilton head
State or Province: SC
C-Dory Year: 2008
C-Dory Model: 22 Angler
Photos: Sheepshead
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2018 4:08 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for all the replies.
I checked clearance on level ground, and it looks like I have about 3" or so.
That's too small for me to feel comfortable leaving it down when pulling out.....so I guess I made the right call.
Next time I'll have a t handle small shaft screwdriver to better access the manual tilt.
Also I'll plan to keep a spare pillow and blanket onboard just in case. |
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thataway
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 20829 City/Region: Pensacola
State or Province: FL
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: thataway
Photos: Thataway
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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2018 4:24 pm Post subject: |
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Great points! Even in our dinghies we carry a "ditch bag"--which contains among other things: a small pair of vise grips, a multi bit screw driver, weatherman tool, and a small crescent wrench. There are a couple of mylar "space blankets" and plastic ponchos. We also carry a bag with an extra jacket / pants(foul weather gear), a set of upper and lower sweat pants, swim suit and clean under wear and heavy sox. In addition a couple of bottles of water and some high energy bars are in the dry bag. I have only needed to use all of these things a few times--but worth their weight in gold.
One early evening I had been shooting some tidal salt water rapids in the dinghy. I had helped another boat get on down as the tide went out; by the time we got him clear, it was too shoal for me to get our RIB out. I called Marie on the hand held VHF, and told her I would be back about 3 AM when the tide was back up --and cuddled went to sleep on the floor of the dinghy--warm and safe. |
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DayBreak
Joined: 16 Jul 2017 Posts: 854 City/Region: Monmouth, Or.
State or Province: OR
C-Dory Year: 2018
C-Dory Model: 23 Venture
Vessel Name: DayBreak
Photos: DayBreak
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2018 12:28 am Post subject: |
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Every tow rig, boat and trailer is different. The lead mechanic at Sportcraft Marina in Portland, Or. told us to tow with the kicker motor down but never the main because it would be too low to the ground. This recommendation has been working well for us. |
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Sea Wolf
Joined: 01 Nov 2003 Posts: 8650 City/Region: Redding
State or Province: CA
C-Dory Year: 1987
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Sea Wolf
Photos: Sea Wolf
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2018 1:47 am Post subject: |
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Some boat/trailer combinations may have the motor's skeg riding high enough for most situations on the road with the motor leg down, but then when you try to enter a driveway, cross a water gutter in a parking lot, a speed bump, or some other uneven feature, the motor's skeg bottoms out, grounding down hard on the asphalt or concrete. If you do it Big Time, you can even scratch up the prop!
I've found out the hard way a time or two. Don't ask!
Joe. _________________ Sea Wolf, C-Brat #31
Lake Shasta, California
"Most of my money I spent on boats and women. The rest I squandered'. " -Annonymous |
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colbysmith
Joined: 02 Oct 2011 Posts: 4560 City/Region: Madison
State or Province: WI
C-Dory Year: 2009
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Traveler
Photos: C-Traveler and Midnight-Flyer
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2018 10:29 am Post subject: |
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As I stated earlier, I trim the motor up for launching and retrieving. However, I trailer with it down. I am aware of it's ground clearance, which suffices for most driveways. However, there are occasional situations where I will leave the driveway at an angle to help dissipate some of the depth, or use a different driveway. (Speaking of gas stations or other parking lots.) Colby |
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