Motor position when towing and why?

[Jake544]

I see this was a topic a few years ago but I thought I'd bring this up again as it appears to have been awhile since anyone has weighed in on this.

I just picked up my new ( to me at least!) 2011 Sun Tracker Party Barge 21 last w/e and towed it home 70 miles. I did so with the Merc 60 Bigfoot in the tilted position as that was what the previous owner said he always did with no problems.

I have to admit I thought more than the tilt lever might be needed but the p/o seemed to know his boats and he had maintained this toon in immaculate condition. Unfortunately, he lost the owners manual so I was unable to check to see what might have been recommended by the factory.

Any current opinions on this and why you seem either tilted or vertical is the way to go?

Any insight would be appreciated.......thanks for your help, Dave.

[Bryden24shp]

Oh, no....Not again!
Just kidding! I, myself would prefer it down if you have the distance from the skeg to the ground to do so. The weight of it up still puts leverage on the transom when hitting bumps and dips. Now my Verado weighs 625 lbs, so you are a lot lighter, but I prefer a transom saver. A 60hp, you are probably ok without.
What do the rest of my buddies think? Guys??? The forum is slowing down.......That time of year!

[TDJ2591]

Yep, Bryan, it's really quiet on the board lately. Maybe it's time to stir up a TAP Fins discussion!

[landlockedsailor]

Our Suntracker trailer came with a bar that the engine rested on (tilted up) while towing.

[Discovery]

Circling..circling. Nope. Not going to bite.

[lakerunner]

I used a transom saver on my old trailstar trailer but new trailer I would have a 7 ft bent in the middle to use one now. I keep mine up with the tilt bracket on motor. I have some clearance issues with dips on ramp and boat storage

And I agree a tapfin discussion would be good only if Malcolm comes by. Other than that the guy would nude pics of alleged wife till Ed sent real wife notice what he was doing. Oh and she was ugly.

[Jake544]

Thanks guys........

[PlaynDoc]

i tow in vertical position... well, the motor is, anyway...

no transom saver...

[curtiscapk]

transom saver always on towing or stored. I only take it off when running. I have an old wood insert transom and you can see the flex going from no saver to one. I will be buying a new all aluminum transom from Bill in Salem over the winter. Hopefully it solves my issues.

I will be posting some questions for opinions on the new transom later this week.

[Capt Sully]

If your boat and motor is high enough from the ground, there's no need to raise the motor. Leaving it down in the vertical position is fine, won't hurt anything. But if you need to raise it because of ground clearance, then use a transom saver. Just my 2 cents.

[NonHyphenAmerican]

If your boat and motor is high enough from the ground, there's no need to raise the motor. Leaving it down in the vertical position is fine, won't hurt anything. But if you need to raise it because of ground clearance, then use a transom saver. Just my 2 cents.

This sounds reasonable.

[Jake544]

Thanks all, I appreciate the feed back this.