Im new to I-O's and always used transom savers with my previous outboards. These consisted of the typical "rod" that fit between the engine and the transom and I used these for travelling, storage, etc. Since my recent acquisition of 73 SeaRay / 188hpMercruiser I-O, I must confess that the thought of its 2 trim cylinders MIGHT possibly leak/weep/deflate/whatever during transit and put ol Chuggy disasterously near to the pavement, so Ive been using a length of strong rope to act as a "safety loop", almost as a transom saver of sorts, but mainly to protect the lower end of this old boat and this "safety loop" is simply tying the lower unit in the upright position in tandem with the trim cylinders. The cylinders function perfectly and do not leak, nor have I any reason to suspect that they might suddenly "die", but I prefer to play it safe, even at the expense of looking foolish during transit with a chunk of rope tied off in back.
While trucking in northern Oh last week, I spied an old SeaRay for sale (4sail?) in the front yard of a farnhouse and I stopped to inquire of its price. The pig was in poor shape (badly neglected and rotten) and a bit overpriced, {SRV 180/ mercruiser I-O $1,500.00} but I noticed an interesting item outside on the drive in back. This device was of professional appearance and construction, with nicely radiused bends, and it was made out of steel and acted as a transom saver of sorts. It went through the loop in the top end and also inserted in a spot down on the lower unit on the I-O and held the lower unit fast in the upright (highest) position.
I took a quick pic with my cell phone camera and although I chopped some of the area off, the above pic shows its useage. Is this an available device that I can currently purchase ? Do we suspect that it is homemade ? Since the Merc lower has that "loop", I suspect that this thing is a common device and I admit that I want one so I can look a bit more experienced than my current "rope" setup.
Any thoughts ?
While trucking in northern Oh last week, I spied an old SeaRay for sale (4sail?) in the front yard of a farnhouse and I stopped to inquire of its price. The pig was in poor shape (badly neglected and rotten) and a bit overpriced, {SRV 180/ mercruiser I-O $1,500.00} but I noticed an interesting item outside on the drive in back. This device was of professional appearance and construction, with nicely radiused bends, and it was made out of steel and acted as a transom saver of sorts. It went through the loop in the top end and also inserted in a spot down on the lower unit on the I-O and held the lower unit fast in the upright (highest) position.
I took a quick pic with my cell phone camera and although I chopped some of the area off, the above pic shows its useage. Is this an available device that I can currently purchase ? Do we suspect that it is homemade ? Since the Merc lower has that "loop", I suspect that this thing is a common device and I admit that I want one so I can look a bit more experienced than my current "rope" setup.
Any thoughts ?
