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Quick question on position of auxiliary motor

A

attjos

New member
Apart the main outboard, I have a honda 5hp auxiliary motor installed on one side of the boat. t I am not sure whether to keep it tilted up or else immersed in water.

If I had to choose, I would opt to keep it in a vertical operating position, ready for use since its tilt lever is not so easy to reach from inside of the boat.

However my concern, in this regard is that given that this is a spare motor, as soon as I drive the boat this will cause its propeller to rotate in the water whilst the engine itself will be switched off. If I had to choose to keep the spare motor in operating position, would the resulting propeller rotations harm the engine/water pump?

thanks in advance,
Josef
 
It shouldn't harm the engine or water pump as long as you remember to place the transmission in neutral. For short, low speed movement of the boat, no problem really.

But, consider these things first before choosing to adopt this as a long distance or high speed practice.

The water driven or "free wheeling" propeller will be turning the prop shaft. This will be placing some stress and additional hours on some transmission parts. Mostly the prop shaft bearings and seal.

Additionally, the added drag will certainly affect your boat's performance. Your steering may be affected and you will use more fuel. You will be adding stress to your main engine to accommodate this drag and that, ultimately, shortens that outboard's useful life.

Your hull's transom will not like it either. While the main outboard is providing push, the auxiliary will be "pulling" from the leg and setting up a twisting force against the transom which, depending on how beefy it is constructed, could cause some fatigue stresses that could lead to a failure there.

There are other negatives as well. If you strike something in the water at speed, your main engine will likely fair much better than the far smaller 5 hp and it's smaller attachment hardware.

I would choose instead, to run with it up.

You might try to find a tool that you could use to more easily reach the tilt lever or modify it in some manner so as to make it easier to operate.

Whichever you decide, good luck.
 
Yes I agree, the drag would be damaging and affects the boat handling. I would definetly keep it tilted up.

Thanks jgmo for your detailed contribution.
 
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