Suzuki DF6 on Clackacraft transportation question

[santiamflyguy]

I just bought a 6hp Suzuki DF6 long shaft single cylinder kicker, 2003 model. Seems to run great and is a nice little portable package at 60lbs.

In the manual, it says that you must drain the engine oil prior to laying it on its side for transport. I did this on the way back from picking it up (in Brookings), but I am afraid that this is going to be a pain if I have to do to each and every time I want to use the kicker. I suppose it's not that big a deal, but I'm the type who will forget to refill it after draining... and you know how that goes...

So... do I have to drain it every time I lay it on its side?

Or... does anyone else trailer their Clacka with a kicker on it? Any trouble?

Is there a different way to do this that I'm not thinking of?!?

[FishNg1]

Hmm, On my Yamaha T-8 I know they say to lay it on one side only, think its the tiller handle side if I am correct. That way the oil does not come out the intake into the carb, thus plugging it up with oil.

Steve

[santiamflyguy]

Originally Posted by FishNg1

Hmm, On my Yamaha T-8 I know they say to lay it on one side only, think its the tiller handle side if I am correct. That way the oil does not come out the intake into the carb, thus plugging it up with oil.

Steve

Yeah, that's what I've heard on most little four strokes... and my motor is marked "this side up for transport"... which is why I found it confusing that the Suzuki manual said to drain the engine oil completely.

[Bobberman]

I can't imagine why you could not just keep it hooked up all the time?

[surfnfish]

Originally Posted by santiamflyguy

I just bought a 6hp Suzuki DF6 long shaft single cylinder kicker, 2003 model. Seems to run great and is a nice little portable package at 60lbs.

In the manual, it says that you must drain the engine oil prior to laying it on its side for transport. I did this on the way back from picking it up (in Brookings), but I am afraid that this is going to be a pain if I have to do to each and every time I want to use the kicker. I suppose it's not that big a deal, but I'm the type who will forget to refill it after draining... and you know how that goes...

So... do I have to drain it every time I lay it on its side?

Or... does anyone else trailer their Clacka with a kicker on it? Any trouble?

Is there a different way to do this that I'm not thinking of?!?

clack strongly recommends taking the motor off while trailering, due to the "pull" torque put on the transom by the motor weight when the boat is bouncing on rough roads, which drift boats are quite prone to while trailering.

A way to offset this is to install one of the support braces used on the bigger motors onto your boat. The receiver bolts thru on the lower end of the transom, so when towing, just lift up the motor, place the aluminum Y shaft under the motor, and then lower the shaft into the reciever.

That will convert the force into a harmless push against the lower transom, instead of being a pull on the upper transom - which can lead to possible glass fracturing and separation at the transom/side points.

[santiamflyguy]

Originally Posted by surfnfish

A way to offset this is to install one of the support braces used on the bigger motors onto your boat. The receiver bolts thru on the lower end of the transom, so when towing, just lift up the motor, place the aluminum Y shaft under the motor, and then lower the shaft into the reciever.

That will convert the force into a harmless push against the lower transom, instead of being a pull on the upper transom - which can lead to possible glass fracturing and separation at the transom/side points.

Any chance you have a pic of this? I think I get the idea but wouldn't hurt to see it.

I hung it on the transom earlier this evening and would definitely worry about the upper couple inches of the transom when trailering... that's a lot of bouncing on a small area even with only a 60# motor.