Anyone with a drift boat and motor

Wernergonefishin · 02-28-2002, 08:09 PM

I have recently bought drift boat and motor. Was wondering if anyone puts their motor on at home and then makes the trip to the river. Seems like on my boat it would make the tongue light on the trailer.Anyone with help . Thank you in advance.

drift boat · 02-28-2002, 08:13 PM

All depends on the size of motor and how far you are going. I use a 9.9 on mine off and on with no problems towing. I am in Renton and have went as far as the Lewis. [img]graemlins/lurk.gif[/img]

STGRule · 02-28-2002, 08:15 PM

Motor is always on except when drifting. We keep the anchor in the bow along with the cooler and other stashed stuff. That counter-balances real well for us. The most trouble we have is when the motor is off. Everything has to be re-stashed in the stern.

Drachir · 02-28-2002, 08:21 PM

I have towed both Aluminum DB's & Fiberglass DB's for years w/ the kicker motor mounted on the boat. In all those trips, I have only encountered one problem, and that was my fault, I forgot to tilt up the motor. When towing, be sure the motor's tilted slightly, so as to not hit the bottom of the motor on driveways as you are leaving a steep location onto the street. My 8 hp Merc will come up 2 clicks when in gear and stay there while towing. You should also use a bungee cord and keep the motor from swinging back and forth while towing as well. Just a couple bits of advise!!

Wernergonefishin · 02-28-2002, 08:35 PM

THANKS everyone Good luck this weekend . :grin:

Wet_Willy · 03-01-2002, 07:16 AM

One other thing you might consider when tilting your kicker motor up is to support it in some manner to take the stress off of the tilt lock. My merc has three tilt positions and then the full out of the water tilt lock. All that supports the motor is a fairly thin pin that can bend with the jarring the motor takes on the back of any boat while trailering. To make it last as long as possible without bending, I have always put a piece of 2x4 between the motor and the transom bracket and allowed the motor to rest on that rather than in one of the tilt slots. This puts the stress on the 2x4 and not the motor. I also wrap a bungee cord around it to keep it from falling off during transit. You can buy expensive bracket things that do essentially the same thing, just cost a lot more. Just a thought.

WW

GutZ · 03-01-2002, 03:12 PM

My 18' Eastside has an inboard motorwell. I have a 5 horse kicker in there. I too travel with the motor in place. Wet Willy makes a good point, I prop mine up with a busted pool cue (AKA fishbonker).

STGRule;
I bet you get some funny looks with your motor on going down the freeway :tongue: or at the bait shop

or getting Krispy Kremes

STGRule · 03-01-2002, 03:22 PM

Fishguts: I was wondering why we getting such horrible fuel economy. We fill it up and by the time we get to the water, it's empty again. :shocked:

FishinMission · 03-01-2002, 04:23 PM

Werner...My driftboat's just a memory...but my friend will tell you..."Make sure it's on there good and snug....nothing like getting to the launch and finding out your kickers's gone."...He found his about 5 miles back on the road..in a few pieces. There's alot of bouncing back there on the back of your driftboat!!

Enjoy...

Mark