www.iFourWinns.com

I'm new to this forum and fairly new to boating. My current boat is my first I/O. A friend suggested that I get a support for the lower unit. I've used one on an outboard before, what's the consensus for an I/O??

Thanks

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88 Horizon 200
5L OMC 230hp

No need. With an outboard you are supporting the entire pivoting weight of the motor and leg - a truck-load of weight, and quite a long distance from the pivot point on the transom.

With an I/O, it is only the actual leg itself, and the distance from the pivot point is very short, so not much pivoting weight there really. I am not using a support and recently towed over 1000 miles on fairly ordinary country roads with no problem at all. Boat was just serviced the other week and all looks perfect. I don't plan to use a support in the future.

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Alec

2006 Horizon 190
VP 4.3GL/SX, Sunsport

Thanks for the reply, I won't worry about lower unit support for trailering.

OP

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88 Horizon 200
5L OMC 230hp

The main reason one would support an I/O during trailering is to prevent lower unit damage in the event of hydraulic lift failure. Normally it is not needed. I had a hydraulic line leak on me last season while attempting to load the boat on the trailer. The drive was stuck in the down position. I'm just glad it didn't happen 30 minutes later when I was on the road. Trailering clips or something as simple as a strap or rope supporting the drive during towing is cheap insurance against a hydraulic failure. Hope this helps.

It's not a bad idea to have a set of trailering clips just in case there is ever a failure in the trim system, I had to have the trim hoses replaced from barnicle damage and age, and used the clips to hold up the drive when I took it over to the shop.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II