newbie....need for transom saver??

[dave37]

14.5 foot fibreglass boat, with a 50 hp 2 stroke Merc engine on it. New to boating and trailering. I trailer with the engine in the tilted up position and tied to one side to prevent movement. The back of the boat extends about 6 inches past the last roller on the trailer. Is a transom saver a wise idea--I fear it letting go and the engine hitting the pavement, in the down position the engine is only about and inch from the ground when on the trailer. Also, as the boat extends past the back of the trailer mounting one could prove a bit difficult. I know they're not expensive, but will I end up jarring the engine and transom more with one?? (plus the lower unit crash on the pavement fear!)<br /><br />thank you!

 

[Scaaty]

Re: newbie....need for transom saver??

If it has no tilt/trim, don't worry about it. Lock it in the up position.

 

[BassMan283]

Re: newbie....need for transom saver??

IMO, a transom saver is ALWAYS a good idea. But the first problem you have is having the transom sitting 6 in back of the last roller. It should be directly over the last roller such that the back of the transom flush with the back of the last roller. You're not only getting extra stress on your transom the way it is but there is a chance you'll put a hook in the bottom of the boat. Sounds like either the trailer is not big enough for this boat or the winch stand is in the wrong place.

 

[dave37]

Re: newbie....need for transom saver??

Thanks, I can move the bow roller/stop forward on the trailer to bring the transom flush.

 

[jtexas]

Re: newbie....need for transom saver??

Out of curiosity, if manual tilt the motor isn't held down on the transom saver except by gravity - would you still recommend it?<br /><br />BTW I highly recommend removing it before launching. As if you need one more thing to remember!<br /><br />jtw

 

[unixgeek13]

Re: newbie....need for transom saver??

when I had my outboard, I always trailered with a transom saver. I used a rubber bungee cord wrapped around the lower drive to prevent a bump in the road from jarring the thing off...<br /><br />as was said above... don't forget to remove it before approaching the ramp...

 

[Winger Ed.]

Re: newbie....need for transom saver??

Years back I bought a 14-15 fishing boat with a 50hp Merc. on it just to get the engine & trailer for a little hydroplane I'd built.<br /><br />It was well used, and had been towed a lot without a transom saver. All 4 engine mounts that tied the powerhead to the brackets/clamps, and the transom itself were trashed from the impact loading of going over rough roads.<br /><br />To get a idea of the impact loading that engine puts on the back of the transom with no support--<br /><br /><br />Tie a string on the end of a stick about 3 feet long. hold the bottom end with one hand and have someone pull and yank on the string as hard as they can several times a second.<br /><br />See how hard it is to hold straight up & down?<br /><br />That's what your transom is trying to do with your engine as you go over a rough road.<br /><br />Now imagine <br />If you could make a sturdy pyramid with your stick,,,, holding the 2 vertical legs on the ground... <br /><br /><br />sort of like a transom saver does with the transom, 'saver support, and resting on the trailer instead of the ground.<br /><br />The load in this equation is still on the top of the pyramid--- or stick.<br /><br />Which supports the impact loading better?<br /><br />For a example of impact loading- take a 1 pound weight. Drop it on a scale. The scale reads more than 1 pound as it hits doesn't it? <br /><br />Imagine what happens when the 200 pound 50 hp engine gets to heaving up & down and back & forth as you go over a set of Rail Road tracks ..<br /><br /><br />Yep. The transom saver not only preserves your transom, but your rubber motor mounts--that cost about $150 as set as well.<br /><br />And even if you have hyd. tilt & trim like my 150horse Black Max. does, going over roads a mountain goat fears to tread,,, as I do. I still tie the engine (with transom saver installed)down to the trailer because its jumped off the 'saver more than once. <br /><br /><br />Ed.