Merry Christmas everyone. I just purchased my 1st SD engine. I bought a GD SD 23hp motor on a 16x44 GD boat. My question is this- the GD manual says all you have to do is tie a rope around handle and secure with a rope under handle and also wrap around the handle again. This just doesn't seem to secure to motor enough to me allowing motor to bounce. Wouldn't it be better to wrap a strap around the bottom of the cavitation plate or would this cause possible damage while trailering?? Thanks.

Well, their method of thing down is definitely effective. I will say that the boat will move side to side on the trailer, especially with GG. I tie mine down differently than they describe but I've had good luck with it.

I use the rope provided (that is secured to the floor) and loop it all the way around behind the kill switch housing. I've also tied a couple knots to shorten that rope up. It will stretch over time. It won't bounce off just looped behind there however or at least hasn't yet. The only thing I've had happen is the shackle on the floor get loose and the pin back out. The motor is still allowed to move but in my experience, you don't want to mount it rigidly.

As for the boat, I just use a regular ratchet strap. One hook in the eye at the rear of the trailer, up thru the handle, under the motor, thru the other handle and back down to the trailer. It holds the boat down, and forward and keeps it from bouncing.

Thanks for the help. I just didn't want to damage anything. Thanks again

I run a ratchet strap from handle to bottom of boat where I can hook it. Doesn't bounce at all or swing around. But I did notice it puts a lot of stress on the rubber spacer ( what I call it) under the motor. It's torn in some places from hitting hard I can assume.
I used to have it about mid ways from all the way down (trimmed down) or all the way up (trimmed up) and let it float so if it hit bumps it wouldn't bottom out unless it was a real bad bumb or something. I liked it that way better but my I bolt broke so had to run it somewhere else

I also ratchet strap it. Barely bounces

I tie mine like in manual when trailer distances. In don't strap it down with transom saver straps either typically. When I pull back from marina to camp or out water (less than 2 miles) I don't even do anything. I just pull handle down into the floor loop/shackle. I am on my second GDSD and always done this with no problems. It's balanced so a little give shouldn't hurt.


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thank you everyone for your help. I just didn't want to damage my "new baby".

I have a handle on my rear bench that it Bungie strap my handle to. I run a ratchet strap between the prop and the cav plate and snug it down to keep it from any further bouncing. Seems to work good for me!!

I do mine as it came from GD. My rig has been everywhere. No problems.