Motor in gear or neutral when towing

[Idaho Sandman]

It does not say and, it says or. Putting unit in gear does not require both to be true. You don't have to be behind the console to shift into gear. Again for the slow learners, gently push gear shift, if it does not go into gear easy, walk back to prop and spin it about an inch and it should go easy. If it still don't go then spin it another inch or so. All you are doing is lining up the dogs on the clutch to align with the slots. Don's point is to not force anything, just use a little common sense.

Holy crap man. Climb down off that high horse you put yourself on before you fall and get hurt. My post was to outline exactly what Don said, in black and white, nothing more. I fully understand how the clutch dogs work. This whole argument is dumb, really dumb. Embarrassed I fell for it.

[Goldstar225]

I leave mine in gear, just shut it down in gear after loading on the trailer. My manual from Mercury says to leave it in gear while towing but what the heck do they know.

[Such5]

In my mind Marc Marcantonio is correct. I don't know about all outboards, but I have one old one that will release and tilt up if you strike something in Forward gear. It stays locked down in Neutral and Reverse. It would make sense that if when trailering and hit something, if it was in Forward the motor would tilt up. Thus, causing less damage. I am thinking that may only be the case with outboards without power trim?

[SteezMacQueen]

Do you shift it into gear after you shut off the engine and deploy the trolling motor? Of course not. Why would you? The prop on my boat turns constantly as I troll around fishing. If it was gonna be a problem, it would have surfaced by now. It’s a 2003 4s Yamaha.

[fishnfireman]

^^did you read post # 51 ? just asking. ^^

Very few place in gear while fishing-- however Its not a bad idea when fishing with someone that's prone to get there line in the prop.
The problem with the prop turning (if it does) on the trailer vs in water is explained in #51

[Marc Marcantonio]

I leave mine in gear, just shut it down in gear after loading on the trailer. My manual from Mercury says to leave it in gear while towing but what the heck do they know.

Thanks; seems people nowadays don't like to listen to older people who were actually around and know from experience how some things got started...

[Savage]

Neutral for me, with a Mercury Racing Prop cover made by a guy on Scream & Fly......None of my props rotate, while trailering....Logo on the cover is always straight and level when I get home!

Do whatever floats your boat!

[TritonTRXV8]

Do you shift it into gear after you shut off the engine and deploy the trolling motor? Of course not. Why would you? The prop on my boat turns constantly as I troll around fishing. If it was gonna be a problem, it would have surfaced by now. It’s a 2003 4s Yamaha.

Good point never even considered it. Neutral for me theres zero need for in gear while towing. Like said in post #51 the new merc V8 motors are electric shift so nothing happens unless its running so all these smart guys thinking they putting it in gear and in reality its still in neutral lol.

[250bassFL]

Good point never even considered it. Neutral for me theres zero need for in gear while towing. Like said in post #51 the new merc V8 motors are electric shift so nothing happens unless its running so all these smart guys thinking they putting it in gear and in reality its still in neutral lol.

You reply to him, good point. And you throw in, these smart guys.
How many in this thread do you think actually have the newer Mercury?
You really don't see a difference while a motor is in the water, and while it is in tow?
But try and knock others in replies?

[TritonTRXV8]

You reply to him, good point. And you throw in, these smart guys.
How many in this thread do you think actually have the newer Mercury?
You really don't see a difference while a motor is in the water, and while it is in tow?
But try and knock others in replies?

I meant that i didnt think about the prop spinning in the water which it does ive seen it but its a non issue as well. No not everyone on here has a newer mercury but you can bet there are some that do and try putting it in gear not knowing that they are doing absolutely nothing and its still in neutral. Ill be more specific alot of people worry about really unecessary stuff sometimes.