04-09-2022, 02:53 AM
(04-08-2022, 06:33 PM)Uintaman2 Wrote: I have a new boat to me, comes with kicker trolling motor, should I leave the 115 Outboard down or lift it?2nd question, when stored, should outboard and kicker put in the down position or up? When trailering always up to protect prop and put the weight on the lock mechanism.
Merc recommends NOT trailering on the lock mechanism. It’s a hydraulic block or a transom saver. On my old boat I trailered with a transom saver for 20 years without a problem. My new boat has a 200 hp on it and they recommended blocking the hydraulic ram. They claim the transom saver caused issues with internal engine/lower unit parts from road vibration transferred from the trailer. Sounded reasonable to me, so I went with blocks. Crestliner has a lifetime warranty on the transom anyways.
I also troll with the kicker and main down. I use a remote panther steer on the kicker.
End of day I lower both outboards to drain while I put everything away. Put up the big motor and leave the kicker down (I have good clearance). This works for winterize as well as the Wyoming check for retained water. I do it every time- good habit to be in.