by tomodda » Tue Jun 15, 2021 10:23 pm
I'm with GreenLake, we have the same electric motor on our boats. What I do with my motor when trailering is take it off, all of 16lbs, put it in the trunk of my car (or backseat) and say to myself "So THIS is why I paid so much money for a glorified egg-beater!" I really love that engine, a joy to use.
But, answering your question, I'd not go on an extended trip with the outboard hanging off my stern. It's "only" 35 pounds, but think of the leverage as you bounce around on the highway, no thanks! Lie it down in the bilge like you're doing now, but give it a bit of extra protection, maybe foam blocks underneath (leftover packing material) and wrap in an old blanket or tarp. Lying by the centerboard, it shouldn't bounce too much - as in I don't think it'll go flying. Maybe tie it to the thwart for some extra security. Or shove it forward towards the mast (tie it there), the closer it is to the trailer hitch (center of your car/trailer rig), the better, no? Alternatively, wrap it in a tarp and put it in the footwell between rear seats and front seat in the car. Depends how much you value keeping your car clean, of course. I tow my boat around with my old Subaru, which is otherwise used for errands - i.e. the car is a mobile boatyard/toolshed, which happens to be good for launching my DS too! Anyway, bottom line, I'd rather wrestle the engine on/off the transom at the boatramp, than have it back there acting like a giant can-opener on the road. YMMV