Newbie question about outboard without power tilt.

[SRQAlex]

Hey everyone, happy Friday!  I recently bought an old bass tracker with a Mercury 500 50HP that doesn’t have power tilt/trim. Is the motor supposed to rest on the tilt pin or is it supposed to lock in when in forward? My gut tells me it’s supposed to rest on the pin so if the lower unit hits something it can swing up over it? TIA!
 

Tight Lines

SRQAlex

[gunsinger]

I've never owned a boat with this setup and I like your logic but I would think it should be locked in.  I would think that resting on the pin could allow too much unexpected movement.

[MN Fisher]

The old Johnson 40hp I had on my runabout was the same way...no power tilt/trim. The locking pin that holds the motor in up-tilt mode also locks it down...to prevent the motor from swinging up if you're in reverse. The pin should shear if you hit an obstacle...I just made sure to never test that.

[TnRiver46]

I  usually leave it unlocked so you can jump over stumps But I have forgotten many times and given it some throttle in reverse and the thing came up and sprayed water everywhere

[SRQAlex]

Thanks everyone. ?