Trailering with Outboard

[frjeff]

Newbie question; perhaps dumb.  :?:
We're ready to launch and do our first sail in the new (82) CP-16, "Celtic Knots".
I just purchased a new 1997 (never used) long shaft Johnson 4HP and have a question:
Do all of you trailer your boat with the outboard mounted, or mount it at launch. I guess I am wondering if the weight of the outboard puts excessive stress on the outboard bracket and transom while trailering ( bouncing, potholes, etc.).
Thanks for your continual help.

[Craig]

The way I tie my rig on for trailering I throw a loop of rope around and under the outboard bracket and cinch it up on the stowed mast. I've only got a small 2 hp Johnson that weighs all of 14 lbs.

If you have no way of supporting the bracket take off the outboard. Probably the best to do anyway.  The sterns on the 16 are tough, but you don't want to weaken it by having the outboard bounce around on the road.

Craig

[dgholmes]

I mount mine at the launch.  I personally do not like hauling the outboard on the CP16 motor mount.  I feel it would be too much stress on the transom.  There is no reinforcement as in a power boat.  

So I built a motor mount for the trailer following the guidelines of Bill Swart on Grace Period.  He did a marvelous job in describing it with photos.  The only thing I did differently is I did not reinforce it to the winch support.  It was so solid without it, that I did not think it was necessary.  My motor is only a 2 hp Suzuki at about 35 lbs.

This is the link to the article he wrote.  

http://faculty.augie.edu/~swart/CP-16/motor%20stand.html

[frjeff]

I've got a pick up as the tow vehicle, but love the mount idea for the trailer.

Likely a winter project though.

Thanks....................

[dgholmes]

Oh, then no problem.   I would definitely recommend hauling it in the back of your truck.  There is no use putting unnecessary stress on the CP16s transom.  The reason I built the trailer mount is I have a Blazer.  Did not have anywhere to put the motor except in the cockpit.  I had done that with another boat I had, but never liked it because I had to put down padding and then still worried it would scar the floor.  Found this idea surfing one day and thought it was genious.

[Gil Weiss]

I too DO NOT trailer with the motor mounted on the transome.It sits in my truck bed. I have a light motor too, a 3.5 29lb Tohatsu that easily is moved about.

Interestingly enough, in getting my boat ready to put in for this year, I noticed the motor mount bolts needed to be snugged up. The wood mount was a bit loose on the brackets. Last year I needed to snug the brackets themselves. Vibration must be the culprit along with trhe compressing of the wood mount.

[miata]

I mounted the engine extremely tight for years with no problems but 2 years ago I hit a hole in the pavement left by a harsh winter and the motor mount just gave up the ghost. Losing the engine was bad enough but the car on my tail caught the engine on the first bounce. I got a new engine, paid out of my pocket, and the other guy got a new car on my insurance company. The only good part is no one got killed. That old Johnson destroyed a new Honda Civic.