spinning prop

[shamalex72]

Is it bad for the prop to be spinning when its being trailered? Or bad for the lower unit? I never gave it much thought until today when I was behind one that was spinning pretty fast. Just curious.

[LMITOUT]

Some will say no and some will say yes. I've always put the motor in gear when on the trailer to prevent it from spinning. I figure better safe than sorry. No sense for it to spin on it's own for no particular reason.

[PerchJerker]

I was shooting the breeze with a great mechanic last summer and asked him the same question. He said it doesn't matter either way, do whatever you're comfortable with.

Personally, I don't like shifting gears when my motor is not running.

[musky hunter]

The bearings and shaft seals in a lower unit are just like the bearings and seals in an electric motor, the lawn mower, etc. Elastomer lip seals do not need to be submerged in water, the bearings are designed to spin with litle friction, and the whole works in the inside is sitting in gear lube. There is no reason to thing that a spinning prop could possibly hurt anything. But if it makes you feel better, leave it in gear.