Should I use a transom saver with an I/O?

[ilovekingfish]

Hey guys, just purchased my first I/O, a 140 Merc in my 84 Chaparral. I've never really dealt much with I/O's. Is a transom saver needed for these, or is that more of just an outboard thing?

 

[Don S]

Re: Should I use a transom saver with an I/O?

It shouldn't be needed. BUT!!!!
First they shouldn't be called transom savers. They do nothing for the transom, all the pressure is still on the transom and transom shield.
But what they will prevent is the drive trim cylinders, lines, or pump from leaking down and dragging the ground and taking out the lower unit.
Should be called a drive saver, not transom saver

 

[Bondo]

Re: Should I use a transom saver with an I/O?

Ayuh,... If the trim system is Up to Snuff,... No you Don't need 1....

 

[bekosh]

Re: Should I use a transom saver with an I/O?

For I/O's they are called trailering clips. They fit over the rams to hold them in the up position. In theory you don't need them because the hydraulics will hold the drive up unless there is a leak. But for around $20 why take the chance. See the attached pic of mine.

You can get them from Iboats.
http://tinyurl.com/ckmle8

 

[Master of the Boat]

Re: Should I use a transom saver with an I/O?

Most times i see them on outboards. Clips on inboards / outboard drives.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Should I use a transom saver with an I/O?

My trim system is in good shape and doesn't leak down at all.

Having said that, If I were to drag my boat on the trailer on a long trip someplace I would put the trailering clips on.

I saw a picture of a drive that was dragged down the highway for hours before the owner figured it out and stopped. (didn't someone post that picture here a few years back?)

The drive was ground off to about halfway thru the propeller and lower propshaft, completely destroying the "lower".

When I had an outboad type of boat I made a simple "transom saver" out of a piece of 2x4 wood and bungees to keep the outboard engine from bouncing around on the transom by running it from the lower unit (a couple of inches above the propshaft line) to the trailer cross member under the transom.

An outdrive weighs far less than most outboard engines so they don't bounce around nearly as much. (My Tohatsu 9.8 outboard weighs 81lbs. My soon to be shipped (460) King Cobra outdrive weighs 110lbs..... My Bravo III probably weighs around 125lbs?)

A full throttle launch will put far more stress on your transom than bouncing down the road with trailering clips installed.


Cheers,

Rick

 

[boat1010]

Re: Should I use a transom saver with an I/O?

I use them all the time.. You said you use them on long trips? Smiling... just how long do ya think it would take if you loose pressure. Just don't forget to take them off.. Shoots up quite a rooster tail till ya figure it out.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Should I use a transom saver with an I/O?

It's about 10 min to the lake I boat at when I don't want to go "far"

I use them all the time.. You said you use them on long trips? Smiling... just how long do ya think it would take if you loose pressure. Just don't forget to take them off.. Shoots up quite a rooster tail till ya figure it out.

I wouldn't worry about the rooster tail as much as I would worry about breaking a U-joint (and associated parts) running it above idle with the drive up like that!!

 

[WizeOne]

Re: Should I use a transom saver with an I/O?

For I/O's they are called trailering clips. They fit over the rams to hold them in the up position. In theory you don't need them because the hydraulics will hold the drive up unless there is a leak. But for around $20 why take the chance. See the attached pic of mine.

You can get them from Iboats.
http://tinyurl.com/ckmle8

bekosh, is that a skeg repair device you have on you O/D?

 

[AZSenza]

Re: Should I use a transom saver with an I/O?

I use trailering clips on my Bravo III all the time. I have an aircraft "Remove Before FLight" steamer on them so I dont forget to take them off.. I've had them so long and taken them off so much its no longer an issue though but the COOL factor is still there!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Should I use a transom saver with an I/O?

I use trailering clips on my Bravo III all the time. I have an aircraft "Remove Before FLight" steamer on them so I dont forget to take them off.. I've had them so long and taken them off so much its no longer an issue though but the COOL factor is still there!

Yeah, great idea! I could just see myself trying to get the insurance company pay for a Bravo III (lower) replacement after grinding 12" off the bottom !!!

 

[bekosh]

Re: Should I use a transom saver with an I/O?

bekosh, is that a skeg repair device you have on you O/D?

http://www.blackfinskeg.com/home/

I put it on because my skeg was cut off about 3 inches short.
I ended up taking it back off because it cost me about 2 mph WOT.
It looked nice, but slowed me down.
Once the weather warms up, I'm just going to prime and repaint the skeg.

 

[abj87]

Re: Should I use a transom saver with an I/O?

I don't use the clips, but i do run a ratchet strap around the drive to the stern eyes. It holds the drive up and keeps it from moving side to side.

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Should I use a transom saver with an I/O?

My pre alpha has a eye on top and i use ratchet strap to middle stern eye. side to side i have not come up with anthing yet.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Should I use a transom saver with an I/O?

http://www.blackfinskeg.com/home/

I put it on because my skeg was cut off about 3 inches short.
I ended up taking it back off because it cost me about 2 mph WOT.
It looked nice, but slowed me down.
Once the weather warms up, I'm just going to prime and repaint the skeg.

My last boat some of the skeg got broken off and the one I got was chrome looked pretty good.

 

[bigskiohio]

Re: Should I use a transom saver with an I/O?

sorry not top cap eye , trim cylinder bolt. here is a picture.