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Just bought a new 25 hp Mercury motor to put on a 14ft Aluminum boat. Used to have a 9.9hp, I am wondering, how do I know if I should use a transom motor support when trailering. This motor weighs about 125 lbs the 9.9 was only 75lbs.
It is simple physics. You placed a heavier weight on the transom (which I assume your boat is rated for) and the leverage caused by the larger motor will stress the transom a bit more. When the motor is in the tilted/travel position the weight is suspended above the transom. The transon savers work great and I beleive it is a matter of personal preferance. Judge the distance you travel and the roads you travel. For a mere $35-45 dollars I believe it is worth the investment. Your weight increase of 50 lbs really should not hurt the boat with normal use. Your choice.<br /><br />Bob
I just bought a used 14' semi-V jon boat with a 9.8 mercury on it. When my dad pulled it home (I didn't have a hitch yet), he pulled it with the engine sitting down (motoring across the lake position), is that the correct way to pull a trailer/boat/motor?
I had a 14ft aluminum for 10 years and pulled that baby all over the Northwest. I always trailered the boat with the motor down (run position). The only time I raised the motor was to launch and load the boat. With the trailer I had there was plenty of clearance with the motor down. As far as transom savers I always figured that raising the motor up raised the center of gravity and also put a greater portion of the weight on a perpendicular plane in relation to the transom allowing for motor to create a <br />see-saw effect thus flexing the transom. The tansom saver may reduce the see-saw effect but it does not change the weight location or center of gravity. In the down position the center of gravity is lower and the weight is on a paralel plane to the transom. Just my own theory on the matter.
