New boat tow-er

[imstillatwork]

first off, meet dumpy : http://www.lot-o-nothin.com/lotonothin/boat.cfm <br /><br />a few questions: tow with motor up or down? (up I think)<br /><br />also, is there any way to support the motor while driving so as to not over stress the transom on bumpy roads?<br /><br />thanks!

 

[Mark42]

Re: New boat tow-er

Do a search in the Marine Megga Mall for "transom saver". I got one after watching my motor bounce around on the back of the boat on the highway. Also search the forums for transom savers... lots of posts with pros and cons. <br /><br />Bottom line is the $60 or $80 it is well worth the piece of mind if for no other reason.<br /><br />I like the style that has a trailer frame mount instead of the roller U mount at the trailer end. It is secured with a through pin. So it can't pull off or move at all when the trailer hits a bump. The motor end is a Y shape with a black rubber strap holding the motor to the crotch of the Y. Works well, and quick on/off. <br /><br />Mark

 

[imstillatwork]

Re: New boat tow-er

great. thanks a ton. I'll look into them. Without knowing what they are called, it's hard to tell if they existed or are available. thanks!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: New boat tow-er

Go to www.cabelas.com and search for "transmom saver". Lots of choices and they are very reasonably priced. Just make sure they are of a type that secure on the trailer end with a pin rather a yoke as suggested in an earlier post.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: New boat tow-er

Unless you have lots of clearance between the ground and the skeg on your motor, you will want to tow with the motor raised. With it down you risk dragging the motor and damaging the lower unit and/or prop.

 

[jtexas]

Re: New boat tow-er

you got electric tilt, right? definately up, definately use a transom saver. power it down till it won't go no lower.<br /><br />I was real glad to see your waterpump impellar tutorial since I got a '79 70hp rude (also free) which I haven't done that to yet. Also the carb rebuild pics. Thanks!

 

[imstillatwork]

Re: New boat tow-er

It's manual tilt does that change anything?<br /><br /><br />glad to hear it helped. I hope I can grow that into some more tutorials. If anything is not accurate, please let me know!

 

[jtexas]

Re: New boat tow-er

It's manual tilt

In that case make darn sure you get a T/S like Mark42 described with a pin securing it to the trailer frame. I'm using one with a yoke that fits over the trailer roller & it relies on the tilt pressure to hold it down. Guess if the tilt hydraulics fail & it bounces off I'll be in a world of hurt!<br /><br />The objective is to have the boat tied securely to the trailer so they bounce over bumps as one unit. With the motor tilted up without support, it will cause the transom to flex; you'll find some people who don't necessarily think that's so bad.<br /><br />If anybody with manual tilt has experienced problems with this, please jump in.

 

[imstillatwork]

Re: New boat tow-er

I just know thats a lot of weight with a lot of leverage.<br /><br />I also know that If there is any major damage to my boat, trailor or motor, I'm out. done. Can't replace it. It was all given to me, otherwise I can't afford this stuff right now. So I want to make sure I take care of it the best I can, even if it is what other people might call junk. (I don't think it it.)<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[Mark42]

Re: New boat tow-er

My motor is manual tilt. After fitting the the transom saver to the trailer/motor, I move the lever to 'tilt' and press the motor down a bit to pre-load the transom saver, then flip the lever to the 'lock' position. I figure it takes all the slack out of the transom saver for when the trailer comes down hard after a bump.<br /><br />I also made a short rod from aluminum stock that bolts to the second motor steering linkage mount hole (my motor has two holes for the steering link) the other end of the rod slips over a motor mount bolt that is sticking through the transom. This short rod keeps the motor dead straight up. It does not move from side to side and the steering wheel never budges. I just didn't like seeing the motor move side to side a bit when it hits bumps. I only use it on long trips because it takes a wrench to put it on or off.

 

[jtexas]

Re: New boat tow-er

I was also concerned about side-to-side movement so I got this one at Bass Pro:<br /> bass pro transom saver <br /><br />It holds the motor dead center & allows no movement whatsoever.<br /><br />Comes with both the locking pin and the yoke for the trailer end - I just haven't got around to installing the hardware on the trailer.

 

[imstillatwork]

Re: New boat tow-er

Looks like a good investment. I'll take the measurements and start searching ebay