90-HP Mercury FOURSTROKE Support for Trailering

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Author Topic:   90-HP Mercury FOURSTROKE Support for Trailering

Laurak posted 04-20-2014 06:19 PM ET (US)
I have an [perhaps means a Boston Whaler 170 MONTAUK] with the 90-HP Mercury FOURSTROKE engine and trailer that comes with the package. The manual say that I should trail with the motor down, but, if there is not enough ground clearance, to get an outboard support device and don't rely on the tilt support lever. I don't have sufficient ground clearance to give me peace of mind with the motor down. Please give me the benefit of your thoughts and advice. Specifically, to those of you who have my same package, how have you addressed this? Do you use an outboard support when you trail, and, if so, how and what do you use to affect the support? Your responses will be greatly appreciated.
Herb
Jefecinco posted 04-20-2014 07:30 PM ET (US)
Try a piece of 4x4 inch lumber cut to length to fit between your lower unit and the tilt mechanism. Place it there and lower your engine until it slightly squeezes the 4x4. That should serve nicely.
Butch
bloller posted 04-20-2014 08:36 PM ET (US)
On my old mercury I would use the tilt support lever sometimes with no ill effects. I also purchased a my-wedge support device and used it sometimes. A 2x4 would work as well. As long as you don't travel at high speeds on low quality roads you should be fine
Ridge Runner posted 04-20-2014 08:58 PM ET (US)
On both of the 170 Montauks I have had - one with an E-TEC 115HO and one with an Optimax 115 I used the my-wedge. I regularly tow from NJ to FL the my-wedge works great.
http://www.m-ywedge.com/
Laurak posted 04-20-2014 09:31 PM ET (US)
Thanks for your replies. I tried using a 2x4 and 4x4 but they slip out when the outboard bounces up. The wedge sounds like it would work but I am not able to tell from review of the web page if it will work on my 90 h/p, 4/s Mercury. I sent an email inquiry to the web site and hopefully will get a response. Thanks again to all of you for your input. It was all very helpful and appreciated.
Herb
saumon posted 04-20-2014 09:41 PM ET (US)
On this topic, there's different OEM recommendations for different products with different systems:
- Evinrude recommend using the "trailering bracket", which is a rather strudy bracket that flip down and rest on 2 points on the transom bracket, for trailering the E-Tec 90hp tilted:
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/data/500/E-Tec_owner_manual_1.png
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/data/500/E-Tec_owner_manual_2.png
- Mercury, however, do NOT recommend relying on the "tilt lever support", an L-shaped flatbar that rotate upward, to keep the Mercury 4-stroke in the tilted up position while trailering:
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/data/500/Mercury_owner_manual.png
http://www.myfishingpictures.com/data/500/mercury_tilt_support_lever.png
In this situation, I wouldn't go against the manufacturer recommendation and would get a transom saver.
Teak Oil posted 04-20-2014 09:48 PM ET (US)
The Evinrude trailer bracket is almost the same as the "MY Wedge" device, I would try one of those.
Mercury has traditionally only put that chinsy tilt lever on their motors and told the owners not to use it for trailering.
The Evinrude bracket is much sturdier
jimh posted 04-21-2014 12:45 AM ET (US)
If I owned one of the Mercury outboard engines that lacked a built in support for the engine to be tilted up when the boat was on the trailer, then I would probably use one of the devices shown at
http://www.m-ywedge.com/
blacksmithdog posted 04-21-2014 07:30 AM ET (US)
Laurak:
I use the My-Wedge on my 2006 Mountauk 170 with the Merc 90hp 4 stroke, works great.
Jefecinco posted 04-21-2014 10:19 AM ET (US)
There is something wrong with your tilt/trim (T/T) system if the engine "bounces" up off of a 2x4 or 4x4 piece of lumber. If your engine bounces nothing will work well. Perhaps your T/T system is low on fluid or has air in the lines?
Butch
jimh posted 04-21-2014 10:31 AM ET (US)
Butch has made an important observation. Test your trim-tilt system by grabbing the gear case of the outboard when it is tilted up. You should not be able to move the gear case up and down. The trim-tilt system should be maintaining it in a steady and rigid position. If anything moves, check to see if the transom is flexing. The hydraulic system should not be moving.
Laurak posted 04-21-2014 11:31 AM ET (US)
Thanks again for your advice and comments. I checked out the tilt trim system with my dealer and all is okay. I went ahead and placed my order for the My-Wedge.
Herb
johnhenry posted 04-22-2014 09:39 AM ET (US)
I have left several 2x4(13/4 x 33/4) bouncing down the road behind my 170. Happens every time unless I really bite into the board. Happened ever since brand new. Not a tilt problem, shitty roads and nature of the beast. Just feel bad for anyone behind me when it happens.
Teak Oil posted 04-22-2014 01:31 PM ET (US)
Sounds like a couple of eyes screwed into the end of the block and a bungee or three would keep it in place, and maybe prevent an accident
Jefecinco posted 04-22-2014 07:13 PM ET (US)
I do have eyes in the ends of my 4x4 tilt brace and use a bungee cord to hold it in case of the trim releasing for some reason. However my 4x4 has a flat corner to aid in retention. The bungee has never come into play.
Butch
moabelite posted 04-22-2014 08:27 PM ET (US)
I've always just trailered my 06 Montauk with the Merc 90 tilted up and the tilt support lever loosely engaged to prevent accidental downward movement....I've never had an issue.
What is the risk of taking this approach vs. an additional support? It seems odd to me that Boston Whaler would ship the boat knowing that it needs a 2x4 or 3rd party product for trailering? Maybe just a case of everybody protecting themselves from future litigation based on an issue that hasn't yet happened?
saumon posted 04-22-2014 09:16 PM ET (US)

quote:
It seems odd to me that Boston Whaler would ship the boat knowing that it needs a 2x4 or 3rd party product for trailering?
They don't. If your look at the excerpt from the Mercury owner's manual I posted above, you'll see they recommend trailering their outboards in the full down position. IF some additional ground clearance is needed, THEN they recommend tilting it up using an accessory support device.
moabelite posted 04-22-2014 10:49 PM ET (US)
I'm with you SAUMON - I just don't know many rigs that can practically (and safely) tow with the motor tilted down....
saumon posted 04-22-2014 11:09 PM ET (US)
Agreed. Maybe Brunswick also own the skeg repair companies...;-)

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Author	Topic: 90-HP Mercury FOURSTROKE Support for Trailering
Laurak	posted 04-20-2014 06:19 PM ET (US) I have an [perhaps means a Boston Whaler 170 MONTAUK] with the 90-HP Mercury FOURSTROKE engine and trailer that comes with the package. The manual say that I should trail with the motor down, but, if there is not enough ground clearance, to get an outboard support device and don't rely on the tilt support lever. I don't have sufficient ground clearance to give me peace of mind with the motor down. Please give me the benefit of your thoughts and advice. Specifically, to those of you who have my same package, how have you addressed this? Do you use an outboard support when you trail, and, if so, how and what do you use to affect the support? Your responses will be greatly appreciated. Herb
Jefecinco	posted 04-20-2014 07:30 PM ET (US) Try a piece of 4x4 inch lumber cut to length to fit between your lower unit and the tilt mechanism. Place it there and lower your engine until it slightly squeezes the 4x4. That should serve nicely. Butch
bloller	posted 04-20-2014 08:36 PM ET (US) On my old mercury I would use the tilt support lever sometimes with no ill effects. I also purchased a my-wedge support device and used it sometimes. A 2x4 would work as well. As long as you don't travel at high speeds on low quality roads you should be fine
Ridge Runner	posted 04-20-2014 08:58 PM ET (US) On both of the 170 Montauks I have had - one with an E-TEC 115HO and one with an Optimax 115 I used the my-wedge. I regularly tow from NJ to FL the my-wedge works great. http://www.m-ywedge.com/
Laurak	posted 04-20-2014 09:31 PM ET (US) Thanks for your replies. I tried using a 2x4 and 4x4 but they slip out when the outboard bounces up. The wedge sounds like it would work but I am not able to tell from review of the web page if it will work on my 90 h/p, 4/s Mercury. I sent an email inquiry to the web site and hopefully will get a response. Thanks again to all of you for your input. It was all very helpful and appreciated. Herb
saumon	posted 04-20-2014 09:41 PM ET (US) On this topic, there's different OEM recommendations for different products with different systems: - Evinrude recommend using the "trailering bracket", which is a rather strudy bracket that flip down and rest on 2 points on the transom bracket, for trailering the E-Tec 90hp tilted: http://www.myfishingpictures.com/data/500/E-Tec_owner_manual_1.png http://www.myfishingpictures.com/data/500/E-Tec_owner_manual_2.png - Mercury, however, do NOT recommend relying on the "tilt lever support", an L-shaped flatbar that rotate upward, to keep the Mercury 4-stroke in the tilted up position while trailering: http://www.myfishingpictures.com/data/500/Mercury_owner_manual.png http://www.myfishingpictures.com/data/500/mercury_tilt_support_lever.png In this situation, I wouldn't go against the manufacturer recommendation and would get a transom saver.
Teak Oil	posted 04-20-2014 09:48 PM ET (US) The Evinrude trailer bracket is almost the same as the "MY Wedge" device, I would try one of those. Mercury has traditionally only put that chinsy tilt lever on their motors and told the owners not to use it for trailering. The Evinrude bracket is much sturdier
jimh	posted 04-21-2014 12:45 AM ET (US) If I owned one of the Mercury outboard engines that lacked a built in support for the engine to be tilted up when the boat was on the trailer, then I would probably use one of the devices shown at http://www.m-ywedge.com/
blacksmithdog	posted 04-21-2014 07:30 AM ET (US) Laurak: I use the My-Wedge on my 2006 Mountauk 170 with the Merc 90hp 4 stroke, works great.
Jefecinco	posted 04-21-2014 10:19 AM ET (US) There is something wrong with your tilt/trim (T/T) system if the engine "bounces" up off of a 2x4 or 4x4 piece of lumber. If your engine bounces nothing will work well. Perhaps your T/T system is low on fluid or has air in the lines? Butch
jimh	posted 04-21-2014 10:31 AM ET (US) Butch has made an important observation. Test your trim-tilt system by grabbing the gear case of the outboard when it is tilted up. You should not be able to move the gear case up and down. The trim-tilt system should be maintaining it in a steady and rigid position. If anything moves, check to see if the transom is flexing. The hydraulic system should not be moving.
Laurak	posted 04-21-2014 11:31 AM ET (US) Thanks again for your advice and comments. I checked out the tilt trim system with my dealer and all is okay. I went ahead and placed my order for the My-Wedge. Herb
johnhenry	posted 04-22-2014 09:39 AM ET (US) I have left several 2x4(13/4 x 33/4) bouncing down the road behind my 170. Happens every time unless I really bite into the board. Happened ever since brand new. Not a tilt problem, shitty roads and nature of the beast. Just feel bad for anyone behind me when it happens.
Teak Oil	posted 04-22-2014 01:31 PM ET (US) Sounds like a couple of eyes screwed into the end of the block and a bungee or three would keep it in place, and maybe prevent an accident
Jefecinco	posted 04-22-2014 07:13 PM ET (US) I do have eyes in the ends of my 4x4 tilt brace and use a bungee cord to hold it in case of the trim releasing for some reason. However my 4x4 has a flat corner to aid in retention. The bungee has never come into play. Butch
moabelite	posted 04-22-2014 08:27 PM ET (US) I've always just trailered my 06 Montauk with the Merc 90 tilted up and the tilt support lever loosely engaged to prevent accidental downward movement....I've never had an issue. What is the risk of taking this approach vs. an additional support? It seems odd to me that Boston Whaler would ship the boat knowing that it needs a 2x4 or 3rd party product for trailering? Maybe just a case of everybody protecting themselves from future litigation based on an issue that hasn't yet happened?
saumon	posted 04-22-2014 09:16 PM ET (US) quote: It seems odd to me that Boston Whaler would ship the boat knowing that it needs a 2x4 or 3rd party product for trailering? They don't. If your look at the excerpt from the Mercury owner's manual I posted above, you'll see they recommend trailering their outboards in the full down position. IF some additional ground clearance is needed, THEN they recommend tilting it up using an accessory support device.
moabelite	posted 04-22-2014 10:49 PM ET (US) I'm with you SAUMON - I just don't know many rigs that can practically (and safely) tow with the motor tilted down....
saumon	posted 04-22-2014 11:09 PM ET (US) Agreed. Maybe Brunswick also own the skeg repair companies...;-)