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briantroy
Nomad
Posts: 198
Registered: 5-25-2004
Location: San Diego, CA
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Outboard on Transom to BoLA
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]
These endless lands and unique waters are not simply soil and sea. These elements of earth and water are as much a part of me as my blood and organs.
And the people that populate this corner of the world lift my spirit to heights that allow me to see what is truly important; The beauty of life. And
that is the essential gift.
– B. Florez, Mission of Souls.
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bajabuddha
Banned
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Location: Baja New Mexico
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Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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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.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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briantroy
Nomad
Posts: 198
Registered: 5-25-2004
Location: San Diego, CA
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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?
These endless lands and unique waters are not simply soil and sea. These elements of earth and water are as much a part of me as my blood and organs.
And the people that populate this corner of the world lift my spirit to heights that allow me to see what is truly important; The beauty of life. And
that is the essential gift.
– B. Florez, Mission of Souls.
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LancairDriver
Super Nomad
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Registered: 2-22-2008
Location: On the Road
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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.
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bajabuddha
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Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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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. 
[Edited on 11-23-2014 by bajabuddha]
[Edited on 11-23-2014 by bajabuddha]
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8084
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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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.
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briantroy
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Location: San Diego, CA
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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.
These endless lands and unique waters are not simply soil and sea. These elements of earth and water are as much a part of me as my blood and organs.
And the people that populate this corner of the world lift my spirit to heights that allow me to see what is truly important; The beauty of life. And
that is the essential gift.
– B. Florez, Mission of Souls.
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redhilltown
Super Nomad
Posts: 1130
Registered: 1-24-2009
Location: Long Beach, CA
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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!
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chuckie
Elite Nomad
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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!
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Pompano
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Registered: 11-14-2004
Location: Bay of Conception and Up North
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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]
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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Bob and Susan
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Registered: 8-20-2003
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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
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8084
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Location: Bahia Asuncion
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| 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.
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jimgrms
Senior Nomad
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Should be able to find a little help when you get there , Just tip them a few peso's
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bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
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Location: Baja New Mexico
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Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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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.
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
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| 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
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bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
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Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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| 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 |
TS
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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hombre66
Nomad
Posts: 281
Registered: 10-29-2014
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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.
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woody with a view
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what is the correct side of the motor? i always take mine off for travel and lay it down with the tiller stick up.
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Bob and Susan
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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
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Pompano
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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.
I do what the voices in my tackle box tell me.
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