The engine is one of the most important parts of your boat. When you invest in an outboard motor such as the Yamaha V MAX Sho Outboard, your engine gains extra power and performance. Once you’ve installed your new outboard motor, you’ll probably want to get it in the water as soon as possible. Some people take their boats to the closest body of water for this, while others plan a special christening trip.

If you prefer to travel somewhere or live a considerable distance from the nearest body of water, you need to secure your outboard motor when traveling. There are two main options. We’ll explain the pros and cons of each below.

Option 1: Remove the Outboard Motor Before Transport

One option is to transport your boat without the outboard motor attached. This involves either removing the motor before transport or waiting to install a new motor until you reach your destination. Many boaters prefer this option, regardless of the size of their motor, because they think it is safer for the motor and the transom.

Motor Safety

Outboard motor theft is, unfortunately, increasing. Even if you travel with a cover over your boat and motor, eagle-eyed thieves may still notice you have an outboard motor and may try to steal it. Insurance can help cover the cost of replacing your motor, but it can’t give you another weekend on the water. Many boaters want to eliminate that risk and store the outboard motor where thieves can’t spot it.

Motor Storage

After removing your motor, you want to store it in a safe place. After all, safety is one of the main reasons to remove the motor in the first place. There are two main storage options for your detached motor: the boat cockpit and the tow vehicle. All boats and tow vehicles are different, so your choice will depend on which you find easier to access and which is more secure.

Transom Protection

The transom is a vertical reinforcement that strengthens your boat’s stern, but it’s not invincible. If your transom degrades or you accidentally damage it in transport, you’ll need to repair or replace it. In some cases, replacing the entire boat is better than replacing the transom. To protect this important part of your boat and save you the hassle of repairing or replacing it, you can remove the outboard motor. This removes additional, unnecessary weight from the transom so it will last longer.

Option 2: Stabilize the Outboard Motor for Transport

Another option for securing your outboard motor is to leave the motor on your boat. There are several options for stabilizing an attached motor so that your boat stays in one piece, and you can get in the water almost as soon as you arrive at your destination.

Transom Saver

A transom saver is one of the most obvious choices for stabilizing your outboard while protecting other parts of your boat. This device looks like a metal grabber at first, but it’s actually a protective mount. You’ll attach a transom saver between your transom and motor so that the shock of bumpy roads transfers to the springs of the trailer instead of rattling through your rigid transom. This protects your motor from dangerous bouncing and protects your transom from absorbing that damaging weight.

Ratchet Straps

You can use ratchet straps to redistribute some of your motor’s weight off the transom in addition to or in place of a transom saver. Just slip the straps underneath the largest part of your motor and attach the ends of the straps to your hull. Then, tighten the straps until the weight of the motor redistributes.

Securing Your Stabilized Outboard Motor

While leaving your motor attached to your boat makes it easier to get in the water, it also leaves you open to potential theft during transport. Thankfully, you can invest in an outboard motor lock that threads over the transom bolts to lock your motor onto your boat. This will deter most criminals who are looking for a quick pick. You can also invest in sensors that attach to and monitor both your boat and monitor. You can keep track of them using a smart device, and some offer additional safety precautions such as GPS tracking, which could help you find your outboard if it’s ever stolen.

Should You Remove or Stabilize Your Outboard Motor?

Outboard motor security is complicated. On the one hand, you want to protect your motor from potential theft and eliminate strain on the transom. On the other hand, you want to easily get your boat in the water when you reach your destination. There is no perfect solution; you must weigh the pros and cons of each option and decide.

Pros and Cons of Removal

As we mentioned above, removal is safer for your motor and protects your boat’s transom. These are the biggest pros of removal. However, removing a heavy motor can take multiple people or even specialized equipment. It also delays the start of your trip and adds extra work at the end. If you travel a lot, you may feel frustrated by constantly removing and attaching your outboard motor. However, many people think this extra time and potential frustration is worth the security.

Pros and Cons of Stabilizing

Stabilizing your motor still takes time, but not as much time as removing it. When you reach your destination, you can simply remove your transom saver or ratchet straps and get your boat in the water. The entire point of your trip is to get to your destination and enjoy life on the water, which is why many people pick this option. However, if you stop to sleep or eat, your outboard is vulnerable to theft. Determined thieves can cut through locks, and even if you track your stolen property, you’ve still lost time you’ll never regain.

Your two main options for securing your outboard motor while traveling are to leave it on your boat or remove it. You’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of each option to make the best decision for your situation. If you’re on the market for a new motor, the Yamaha V MAX Sho outboard is an excellent choice. Whether you’re traveling far to boat in new waters or enjoying the water close to home, this is an excellent motor choice for your boat.