Transporting Yamaha 2.5 four-stroke in boat and SUV - any suggestions?

[Thorne]

It's been decades since I last owned an outboard, but one came with (and is needed!) on my 2006 Caledonia Yawl. I have the old built-in mount in my garage for upright storage, but want to know how to store and transport it in my Subaru Forester and in the CY when removed from the well.

I know that fourstrokes should be transported on a particular side. The sticker on the motor shows transporting it with the lever side down or front side down / carry handle up - but gives no idea which is better. Any ideas?

The CY has a notch in the aft side that the PO thinks is for storing the outboard when pulled from the well, but the little plywood piece isn't enough for me to guess what way the motor should sit -- or if the system is correct.

Once we determine the best orientation then we come to how to transport it in my SUV. I've cleaned up the oil and gas from the initial transport and my car only slightly reeks of gas now: :-( and this is despite having a rubber mat in the back. I was wondering what other Forumites might use for this purpose?

One option would be a poly box/bin. This one from Amazon would fit the motor, and should keep the oil and gas out of my carpet and upholstery, but costs $140.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VZGWMG...a-274555705601

Cheaper would be to build a transport box from plywood, probably coat it with Rustoleum truck bed liner, which I think is fuel resistant and can be washed out with degreaser at home after any spillage.

I looked at the nylon / coated fabric bags for hitch carriers, but once they got saturated with oil and/or gas the smell would not be fun -- and the fabric and seams would come apart after awhile.

storage-sticker.jpg


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[Ian McColgin]

I prefer lift handle up because it's easier to make chalks to keep the motor secure and not scuffing the boat.

A box is good. Just be sure that it's vented so you're not storing hazardous vapors. It does not take much to convert your rig from a material asset to a liquid asset.

G'luck

[Gib Etheridge]

Assuming that you cannot just tilt the outboard and leave it mounted in the well, which would be ideal in my opinion, perhaps you can lift it out, turn it around and drop it back on the well with the leg tilted and extended forward into the boat, or maybe mounted on the forward edge as usual with the leg tilted and in the notch, or mounted on the after bulkhead of the well and extended aft.

A photo would be helpful.

You may find that you can dump the fuel into a gas can via a funnel without too much effort, then store it on it's side with the oil filler cap on the upper side.

It should be easy enough to build a wide based "transom" that you can mount it on fully tilted for in the car.

[Thorne]

...A box is good. Just be sure that it's vented so you're not storing hazardous vapors. It does not take much to convert your rig from a material asset to a liquid asset.

G'luck

;-)

[Thorne]

Gib - the CY is a double-ender, the well is tiny with only one way to mount the motor, so the option is to leave it (meaning you can't beach the boat) or pull it out and lay it on the floorboards. And the Subaru Forester doesn't have nearly enough vertical space to carry the outboard tilted forward -- at least not inside!

Photos from other CY's


Photo from my CY, you can see the outboard by the PO's wife's elbow -

Assuming that you cannot just tilt the outboard and leave it mounted in the well, which would be ideal in my opinion, perhaps you can lift it out, turn it around and drop it back on the well with the leg tilted and extended forward into the boat, or maybe mounted on the forward edge as usual with the leg tilted and in the notch, or mounted on the after bulkhead of the well and extended aft.

A photo would be helpful.

You may find that you can dump the fuel into a gas can via a funnel without too much effort, then store it on it's side with the oil filler cap on the upper side.

It should be easy enough to build a wide based "transom" that you can mount it on fully tilted for in the car.

[NickW]

Thorne

Why not clamp [use some padding like cardboard] the O/B to one of the thwarts and lash the bottom end of the leg to some convenient point. You'll then be transporting it in the 'tilted' position as recommended.

Nick

[Gib Etheridge]

Are you sure about the vertical space available in the car Thorne? I have a Yamaha 2.5 four stroke and tilted all of the way up parallel with the ground and turned on it's side with the tiller handle down it only requires 16" of height.

Perhaps you can mount a hinged vertical "transom" on the thwart and do the same in the boat, with the prop aft of the thwart. That would save floor space. A cushion under the prop would keep it from dinging the hull.

I imagine you want to pull it out when sailing or rowing. Do you have an option for filling the hole in the bottom of the boat when doing that? You could make a box that drops down into the well leaving the bottom flush and fair. It would make a good place to keep things cool.

[Gib Etheridge]

Thorne

Why not clamp [use some padding like cardboard] the O/B to one of the thwarts and lash the bottom end of the leg to some convenient point. You'll then be transporting it in the 'tilted' position as recommended.

Nick

Yes...better than the hinged "transom", and you could make a similar setup for in the car, a horizontal "transom". Great idea!

[Thorne]

If I'm going to tilt it nearly horizontal, there's no reason not to take it all the way horizontal. What I'm trying to find out is if the tiller-handle-side-down or front-side-down orientation is better for this particular 4-stroke -- I'm assuming the latter.

I've found a $22 50 gallon plastic bin at Lowes that will hold the outboard and should protect the car from any leaks. Not strong enough to carry it in, but that's not a problem.

[bnaboatbuilder]

I picked up a used 9.9hp Honda long shaft in Fall River, MA about 5 years ago. It fit laying flat in the back of my Subaru Outback cross ways. No fluids leaked, no issues, packed my travel bags and gear on top of it. Drove 1200 miles home.

Just empty any gas or run it dry. No problem as far as oil. That's the point of it being on one specific side.

[Thorne]

I've taken this one to a local Yamaha guy to be checked out, as I'm concerned it might have oil leaked into the cylinders or gas system - which he says is a common problem if they're laid the wrong side down for transport. I"ll probably go for the $22 bin, as it allows the motor to drip water and whatever without impacting all the rest of the gear in the back. Probably build a foam frame to hold the motor at the right angle in the bin and keep it from shifting around.

As for storage in the boat, I'll have to wait until I get the keel rollers replaced before clambering around in it, but hope the existing system is either good as is, or can be improved to hold the motor firmly in position.

Thanks, everyone!

[sailnstink]

If you have space at the front of the trailer I'd build a stand and clamp the motor on proper vertical. No stink, no grease, no drips in the car. If not I'd use the bin. Just beware those bins only last about a year in the sun before becoming brittle and self destructing.

[tobias]

I have such a motor, and I transpot it in the trunk of my car without further protection, laying it on the handle.
Before even tilting it on the boat or taking it off the boat, I empty the carburator completely by shutting off the gas line and letting it run until it stops by itself. As long as I don't forget to tighten the vent screw on top of the tank, there are no smells or spills.

[Chip Chester]

See how your trailer jack is mounted to the trailer tongue? Get slightly longer bolts, and a good pressure-treated 2x8, some washers, and sandwich the 2x8 to the tongue on the opposite side of the jack. 2x8 should be long enough that the motor skeg isn't much lower than the other hardware when you install the motor on the board. Use security cable and lock as neighborhood and circumstances warrant. Cover with engine cover if you wish. Skew board forward (parallelogram) if needed to offset motor away from bow of boat. The extra weight shouldn't be a concern for the hitch.

I carry small outboards on a 2x8 bolted to a pintle hitch bracket and stuck in the front hitch of my Suburban. No unusual vibration or security issues when locked up. Keeps the gas smell out of the car, and the motor in proper orientation, and gives a nice smooth ride. In your case, right near the hitch will be nice and smooth, too.

[Zane Lewis]

I us a plastic rubbish sack to transport an outboard in the back of my wagon. Cheap simple and sort of throw away once it get's torn. Key advantage is that it does not take up as much space as a plastic box.
They are quite light duty. A step up would be the plastic pack liner type of bag. Over here they are about $5 each verses a rubbish bag at 5 for $1.
Then you can just pack your bags in around it to stop it from rolling around.
PS I don't yet have a 4 stroke.
2.5 & 3.3 Yamaha & Merc plus a Barge Model seagull which has just gone off for a recon. (new seals & throttle cable etc + a repaint on the tank, after 50 years, Grandad, Dad & now me)
ZQ

[StevenBauer]

You’re going to love sailing the CY, David. They are very capable, awesome boats.

[Steve W (NY)]

My Honda 2hp has a carb drain. you can slip a screwdriver into it through a slot in the cowl and drain the very last bit of gas out of it. The oils is bad as it stains, but gas turns to vapor and reeks. Maybe your Yamaha has this.

[Thorne]

Steve W =

Yes it does, and the Yamaha specialist showed me that trick. Very handy!

I'll stick with the bin until it cracks -- which may not be long but it was only $20. It also fits the small 1-gal gas can and a few throw cushions, so the space isn't wasted.

Steven Bauer - I'm sure hoping it will be a blast. Not used to all that seating and storage space in a 20' boat!!

[Don MacLeod]

Thorne had the same problem carrying a 5hp 4S in my car from the Lake to the harbour - motor gets shared.
Twice I had the engine oil end up in the cylinder when laid on its correct side. must be the way I go round corners.
My mechanic suggested transporting it standing up behind the passenger seat. It does not go over the height of the headrest.
Jam it into place with bags and other stuff if you have a passenger
If you are travelling alone strap it to the passenger seat.
Put a plastic bag round the gearbox to collect oil and water drips.
And drive to your destination.

[Edward Pearson]

Thorne,

I'd sell the Yamaha and put the money towards a Torqueedo. Cut to the chase early instead after years of frigg.

Instant push button on and go.
No servicing.
No transport issues (and its alot lighter - the tiller and battery head come off if you want to leave the rest in which will help your back)
Less noise.
No petrol.
Completely waterproof.
No outboards falling over and getting oil in the wrong place.
No frigg next summer after left all winter.

Really, the new electric Torqueedo's are much more civilised way of 'living with an engine', especially with a gentle peacefull light easily driven boat like the CY.