BajaNomad - Outboard on Transom to BoLA

Outboard on Transom to BoLA

briantroy - 11-22-2014 at 10:14 PM

Heading to BoLA on Wed and towing my 9ft Rigid Inflatable Boat. I have never trailered nor even had her in the water before, so all of this is new to me. I have a 10hp Honda 4 stroke to push her and I am curious if it is wise to travel with the outboard attached to the transom. I'm certain I have seen this done before. The hull and transom are one huge molded piece of fiberglass, so I sincerely doubt the transom will splinter. But, my concern is that the vibrations might somehow knock loose the two big screws holding the outboard onto the transom or some other catastrophy may occur. Anyone have experience with this? Any suggestions about the trip to BoLA? I'm not a fisherman either, but I am gonna try. Any tips regarding that are also appreciated!

[Edited on 11-23-2014 by briantroy]

bajabuddha - 11-22-2014 at 10:23 PM

I have an inflatable 14' with a 9.9 hp 4-stroke... I NEVER run the motor on the transom unless it's from the water to the palapa. I suggest first, drain out all the oil; even if you pack it on the 'correct' side Baja has a lot of bumps, topes, vibradores and chuck holes and you will have some oil leakage regardless of how you store it or pack it, unless you can run it 'transomed' and upright in your rig somehow. If your oil is new, re-bottle it and put it back in when you get to your destination, if worried of contamination filter it through a coffee filter and funnel, or just flip for a new bottle of Yamalube. Use your inflatable for pieces/parts and gear, but deflate the floor, same reasons. Remember, it will move around and if you love it, secure it.

briantroy - 11-22-2014 at 10:58 PM

Thanks. Does it matter that mine is a rigid? The floor is not inflatable. The hull and transom are one piece of fiberglass. Can I get the oil at Home Depot or Pep Boys? I was only planning on keeping an ice chest in the boat, but if I take it off the transom is it wise to store the outboard in the boat as well?

LancairDriver - 11-22-2014 at 11:31 PM

I have a 12ft inflatable with a 9.9 Honda 4 stroke that I never remove from the transom and never have had a problem with it. The two adjustable screws that hold the motor to the transom can be locked together using the holes in the adjusters so they won't come loose. The Honda mounting plate also has hole patterns that you could drill a couple of extra holes through the transom for two extra stainless bolts of 3/8s for extra holding. You should have an extra piece of 1/2 inch plywood or hardwood board on the inside of the transom to keep the screw clamp contact away from the fiberglass as it won't compress as much.. As you know, the Honda isn't easy to wrestle around or drain oil And you will need a suction pump to drain with. Even with the rigid bottom, the inflatable absorbs a lot of the road vibration. You can stop and check it frequently for peace of mind. Finding a good place to pack the motor and draining and re-filling the oil would also be an added pain.
Maybe Capt. K or some of the other inflatable users will see this and have some ideas also.
This has worked for me for years with no problem.

bajabuddha - 11-22-2014 at 11:40 PM

Well, there y'go, Nomads strikes again. Like the fly said whilst standing on the mirror, "there's another way of lookin' at it!"

Inflatable boats, with or without rigid floors jiggle. Take your chances. I live 3 miles from our lake here in NM, and I put the motor in my truck bed between here and the ramp on General Principals. 400+ miles to BOLA on Hwy 1 is a lot of bumps.

This reminds me soooo much about the thread(s) of running the Gonzaga/Chapala road and hauling ANYTHING. Ya spends yer money, ya takes yer chances. Personally, I prefer being over-cautious, because once down there, you ain't gonna fix it easily. So much easier to spend 15 minutes mounting/dismounting than hours of Jenny-rigging or begging for scrap parts. Plus, if you aren't used to Hwy 1, all it takes is one lapse in attention and a dozen vibradores or two topes, and the back end of your trailer is a slingshot.

(edited in) I had a 9.9 Honda, and yes, the oil does make a mess to drain; you can still filter it or flip for a whole quart of new, if it's been run at all. BTW, sold it and bought a Yamaha. Both leaked some while on their sides for the 600+ down I drive, not counting 700 miles on freeway to get to Baja.

Happy trails, I'm out. :coolup:

[Edited on 11-23-2014 by bajabuddha]

[Edited on 11-23-2014 by bajabuddha]

Skipjack Joe - 11-23-2014 at 12:07 AM

The highway is pretty smooth these days but consider the possibility of not seeing a sign for a topes and running over it at full speed, over 40mph. If your transom can withstand a force of that strength then I would say keep the outboard on the transom.

briantroy - 11-23-2014 at 12:10 AM

I appreciate everyone's advice. The only reason I am considering the trip with the outboard on the transom is I will be alone the first 2 days; without family/friends to help me. I have had 3 hernia surgeries and I don't want a 4th. I'm afraid of lifting it from the back of the van by myself. I want to be able to handle launching the boat alone. I have no idea what the campground in BoLA will be like or even if there will be anyone there at all. Much less anyone willing and able to help me.

redhilltown - 11-23-2014 at 12:34 AM

I think you got your boat answers! Or at least enough to figure it out.

As to fishing you may want to check BD Outdoors to see if there have been any new posts...getting a bit late but ya never know. You won't get out to the Yellowtail holes in your rig but if the water is right I guess they could be on the surface. Trolling close to shore or dropping down with some squid will surely find you some dinner (as to dinner read up on Triggers and how to filet them if you don't fish much.) Also know of the winds and safety concerns.

Have fun!

chuckie - 11-23-2014 at 12:45 AM

I think you are going to have the Baja adventure! LOTSA fun, learning as you go, and loveing every minute of it! Listen to everyones advice, do what makes sense to you and if its wrong, do it different next time!......Enjoy!

Pompano - 11-23-2014 at 05:45 AM

briantroy, it looks like you've got plenty of advice from folks who've been there and done that..Experience counts. To add to this topic, here's my 2 cents with taking an inflatable w/motor into Baja. I've trailered some different inflatables (Avion and Zodiac) from ND to my place in Baja Sur..a distance of 3000 miles one-way. Always kept the engines on solid transoms for normal conditions. (mostly because they are big & heavy, plus I injured my lower spine a long time ago and have been cautious of it since.) Naturally, if you can easily mount and dismount your engine then the choice is yours. For normal use, I would leave it on and not risk another hernia. Your back is more important. Sounds like a good plan and you should have plenty of fish to eat. Watch out for those triggerfish spines on the inflatable!

Whatever you choose, Good Luck and let us know how it went.

[Edited on 11-23-2014 by Pompano]

Bob and Susan - 11-23-2014 at 05:57 AM

I have to agree with bajabuddha...take it off...

get assistance attaching it when you arrive...a small "tip" for the helper

if you travel with that "heavy" motor I would think you'll rip off the transom
it's only attached with "plastic-rubber"

bajabuddha is correct...drain the oil and lay on the "correct" side
bring an extra prop...they aren't here

Skipjack Joe - 11-23-2014 at 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by briantroy
I appreciate everyone's advice. The only reason I am considering the trip with the outboard on the transom is I will be alone the first 2 days; without family/friends to help me. I have had 3 hernia surgeries and I don't want a 4th. I'm afraid of lifting it from the back of the van by myself. I want to be able to handle launching the boat alone. I have no idea what the campground in BoLA will be like or even if there will be anyone there at all. Much less anyone willing and able to help me.

This is not as big of a problem as it may seem.

You only need to lift the motor twice for your trip, when you arrive and when you depart. If you are staying at Daggets ask them if there's a young man that would like to earn 50 pesos. If there's none around go to town and ask at the mercado or motels or restaurants. It's nothing to be embarrassed about. If you're not going to purchase anything they're more than happy to help a son or nephew pick up some money.

jimgrms - 11-23-2014 at 08:41 AM

Should be able to find a little help when you get there , Just tip them a few peso's

bajabuddha - 11-23-2014 at 09:19 AM

Just a short addendum. I have a T-12 compression fracture and degenerative disc disease, my back's trashed. I also have a $50 motor dolly (from Amazon) that works just fine, and there's always someone around to lend a hand.

Pompano's right about fish spines; especially sculpin and scorpion fish. Fashion a flap of thick material (whatever works) a couple of feet long to drape/tie over the side you normally land fish, saves patching pinholes later. In BOLA you'll catch so many fish you'll grow gills.
:bounce:

Bob and Susan - 11-23-2014 at 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabuddha
Just a short addendum. I have a T-12 compression fracture and degenerative disc disease, my back's trashed....

TMI

bajabuddha - 11-23-2014 at 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan

Quote:

Originally posted by bajabuddha
Just a short addendum. I have a T-12 compression fracture and degenerative disc disease, my back's trashed....

TMI

hombre66 - 11-23-2014 at 10:34 AM

I have taken 10' to 12' inflatables to Baja (BoLA Las Animas SFQO) since the early 80's. I dont reccomend leaving the motor on because of the jolting and its stress on seams all over the boat, but most important ,and which nobody seems to have mentioned, Is that the jolting and stress can be greatly diminished by fatter trailer tires and tire pressure regulation. My most unpleasant experience was towing a 15' bayrunner into P Final. The owner of the boat and rig refused to lower the tire pressure on the trailer during the dirt road, and sustained numerous breakage and loosening on his trailer. Washboard and towing dont mix. It will drive you nuts, so, think about up sizing your trailer tires if possible. Welcome to the wonderful world of inflatables in Baja! Originally, the whole idea of doing inflatables was to eliminate the towing issue over long bad roads.

woody with a view - 11-23-2014 at 12:59 PM

what is the correct side of the motor? i always take mine off for travel and lay it down with the tiller stick up.

Bob and Susan - 11-23-2014 at 01:35 PM

4 strokes are all different...

but..

if you don't "lay-down" the motor on the correct side oil can get into the pistons and then to the valves...then it "locks up"

fixable but what a pain

Pompano - 11-23-2014 at 01:45 PM

2-strokes are not fussy. It's 4-stroke outboards that leak oil and throw tantrums.

Good idea to drain the fuel out of the carb float bowl. (run with fuel tap off until stops) then shouldn't matter either way.

Most small 4-strokes these days have 2 plastic 'buttons' to lay it down on.

woody with a view - 11-23-2014 at 01:54 PM

mine's a 2.

Pompano - 11-23-2014 at 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
mine's a 2.

Then it really doesn't matter that much, Woody.

Best not to raise the prop end above the powerhead. You rest the big end on something because you don't want water to flow up the exhaust pipe back into the engine.

Probably rest it prop side down - on the cavitation plate at the bottom of the shaft, protecting the prop, and the back of the gas tank. Not complicated with 2-strokes...easy peasy.

edit...tried to use the word, 'Dibble'. Hmm...?

[Edited on 11-23-2014 by Pompano]

bajabuddha - 11-23-2014 at 03:24 PM

4 STROKES are all different. My Yamaha is the opposite side that my Honda was; they both leaked a little on long journeys. Pompano's right on (as always), you don't want the prop shaft higher than the motor head. I use a couple of boat cushions to raise the head up. I run it behind my passenger seat in my Ford King Cab, and it barely fits; 4-strokes are deeper in length also. And, run the carb dry too. That should be done even if the motor is going to sit more than a couple of days. They have their foibles, but man, what great mileage and less stink/noise.

Floatflyer - 11-23-2014 at 05:27 PM

Here is another $.02 worth of opinion. Taking it off is the safest AND help is readily available virtually any place you are going to be.

With that said, I use a "transom saver" on my 19 ft Bayrunner. This is clamped directly to the trailer frame and then onto the lower unit of the engine. This directs any up and down motion of the engine to the trailer frame and NOT to the transom.

You should have a great time. FF

Martyman - 11-24-2014 at 05:56 PM

My 4 stroke 15 caballos Honda has little legs to use when you place it on the "right" side. Also I've never drained the oil when travelling on it's side. You might (or might not) lose a few drops but don't hassle draining the oil.

JakeinVegas - 11-24-2014 at 06:19 PM

I towed my 13' Avon inflatable with a 4-stroke 20hp Honda down to Bahia Concepcion in June. I drained the oil from the engine and brought new oil with me. We had the boat inflated on a trailer and loaded the motor onto the aluminum floor with a foam pad underneath and a movers blanket on top. We then piled light gear on top of it until it was no longer visible. We then secured the whole mess with a cargo net. This ensured that I arrived with an intact transom and motor. I also wasn't advertising my brand new outboard to anyone with sticky fingers along the way. I hit a few topes (giant speed bumps) on the way down much harder than I wanted to and was glad that the motor was safely over the axle of the trailer and not on the transom.

cortezpirasea - 11-24-2014 at 06:30 PM

Transport the motor on an old used tire. Used tire because it won't be as rigid as one with a lot of tread. Lower tire pressure on trailer and vehicle. There is always someone to help you in Baja.

woody with a view - 11-24-2014 at 06:54 PM

isn't it fun the first time you see the sign that says, TOPE? :?:

JakeinVegas - 11-24-2014 at 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
isn't it fun the first time you see the sign that says, TOPE? :?:

Sign? It seems that 50% of them are unmarked and unpainted. I found it easier to just look for bumpers and other car parts on the side of the road that had fallen off of previous victims cars.

[Edited on 12-1-2014 by JakeinVegas]

Skipjack Joe - 11-24-2014 at 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JakeinVegas

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
isn't it fun the first time you see the sign that says, TOPE? :?:

Sign? It seems that 50% of them are unmarked and unpainted. I found it easier to just look for bumpers and other assorted car parts on the side of the road that had fallen off of previous victims cars.

That's the remarkable thing about them. They are all painted yellow for you to see. But sometimes the paint is old and worn off and those topes can't be seen. At other places there is a yellow stripe on the road which, when approached, reveal no bump at all. I feel tricked when I encounter those. It's good to have a young pair of eyes next to you who lets you know the real from the fake. If the sun's in your eyes then anyone can miss them. I think the expats know them all by heart and just slow down where necessary.

I also wanted to point out that although the road to BOLA is paved from the border you are unlikely to be riding on it the whole way. There is construction going on somewhere virtually every time you drive down. Those sections can be 100 yds or 3-4 miles and very chewed up. These are places of traffic congestion with drivers behind that have little patience for someone who slowly navigates around each bump.

Topes and Mimicry

Skipjack Joe - 11-24-2014 at 09:20 PM

Painted stripes are akin to Batesian mimicry. In the natural world one species will evolve to resemble another (usually a poisonous one) to acquire it's benefits. The mimicry is successful if the model species is present in great numbers. If the model is rare then the birds eat the bugs with a rare one giving it indigestion. But if the toxic bug is common then the birds stop feeding entirely and the mimic is safe.

Baja stripes are similar. They work because the real topes are frequent and dangerous. The Mexicans understand this fundamental law of nature and have painted just enough stripes to get away with.

Pompano - 11-24-2014 at 09:34 PM

I like the ones that are worn down to fit your wheel base ...and don't send every dish and glass in the cupboards into space.

Or threw the refrigerator door open. Have you ever cleaned up after a catsup calamity?

woody with a view - 11-24-2014 at 09:41 PM

mid 80's Pto Esondido, Oaxaca and 4 of us in a rented VW bug taking a drive down the coast when, all of a sudden (that happens at 50+ mph) an new sign appears. "Look, up ahead, it's sign post" which says, TOPE. quick look at the passenger like WTF is a..... LOOK OUT!!! it seems like it was 2 feet tall, to this day.

I still marvel at the toughness of them VW's. didn't even lose a hubcap!

bajabuddha - 11-24-2014 at 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
...... I think the expats know them all by heart and just slow down where necessary.

YABUT, even us ex-spurts have bounced HARD on a few... don't deny it neither...

I think the answer's solv-ed.... ya spends yer money and ya takes yer chances. I knew a guy who hit one too many topes a little too fast, cost him only a new battery on his boat. Back end is a sling-shot; a LITTLE too fast is a LOT lost.

The choice is to the owner.

motoged - 11-24-2014 at 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody with a view
mine's a 2.

.....TMI.....

chavycha - 11-26-2014 at 11:04 PM

As someone who just tweaked a back thinking "that outboard is plenty light to lift" I can understand why you're wanting to trailer the boat with it on.

That said, I'm going to put mine inside the boat for the trip down and back when we go in a few weeks. Don't want it running off in the middle of the night.

If you can lay it at even a 30 degree angle (think powerhead on the seat and prop on the floor) you won't have much trouble with oil. I used to do that with a 6hp Suzuki 4 stroke all the time, and that was trailering it long distances over some nasty stuff, way worse than Hwy 1.

chavycha - 11-26-2014 at 11:06 PM

Also, if you want, I bought a frame-mount adjustable transom saver from Cabelas last week to try out. It's not quite right for my application, but I'd be happy to send it to you for the price of shipping.

Drop me a note at scott@chavycha.com if you're interested.

dtbushpilot - 11-26-2014 at 11:14 PM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view

mine's a 2.

Is that length or width? :lol:

woody with a view - 11-27-2014 at 08:15 AM

both!

chuckie - 11-27-2014 at 08:17 AM

Combined?

Alm - 11-29-2014 at 07:51 PM

BB is right. There is no reason to leave this small motor on transom while trailing. Take it off, wrap in something and put on whatever side it should be put on.

I hope you know that BOLA is not a "boat ramp town". As I recall, there one or two in town center (TAD damaged after Odille). Nothing on the camps North.

outboard

captkw - 11-29-2014 at 09:40 PM

Hola,,I do think the draining of the oil and filter and keeping inside the vechicle has many bennies...# 1 it wont disappear..# 2 those "topes" come out of no where !! # 3 it wont crack the transom.#4 the motor stays good looking.. .and make sure the impeller is fresh and you have extra set of wheel bearings,,tire,,prop and check you trailer and boat many times a day while towing...and take it EASY and not "power" drive...tight Lines...K&T'''PS. WARNING !.do not stow motor in boat...WARNING !!!!!!! and the oil must be mercury or Honda...filled from the bottom up..the only part you might find for that motor might be a spark plug at a auto place

[Edited on 11-30-2014 by captkw]

bajabuddha - 11-30-2014 at 06:34 AM

A little addendum from experience; bring your own extra plugs, oil filter (if applicable) and Yamalube oil. Even though there's a Yamaha shop in Sta.Rosalia, they didn't have plugs for my 9.9. The local parts store gave much reas-surances the plugs hey sold me were correct, I found out they weren't. They worked, but now I buy extras Stateside. Lower case oil in Baja is fine, buy a small manual pump for changing it yourself. And ALWAYS use Sta-bil, Yamaha makes their own version also. Good product, good company.

I call topes "D-OH!-pez" because that's what you say while rubbing the top of your head when you inevitably don't see it in time.