Keeping outboard straight on transom saver for trailering?

[Ppopps]

Hi, as many might know from my previous posts, I have a "new" boat with a 2002 Merc 90hp carb'd four stroke. Motor is at the limit for the boat's rating and being a four stroke is pretty massive for a 90 so I guess it's good to trailer with the transom saver on right? Do you store it that way too...does it really help?

My real question is how to keep the motor pointing straight on the transom saver when trailering, it always flops to one side, and does it even matter? I see the motor has a lock bar for when trimmed all the way up (when would I ever use that?) but I don't see anything to lock the steering from side to side?

Hope it's not a dumb question, this is my first "big" outboard....

 

[Don S]

Re: Keeping outboard straight on transom saver for trailering?

Moving to Boat Topics and Questions (not engine topics)

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Keeping outboard straight on transom saver for trailering?

bungee cords to each transom eye, or on the steering wheel.

 

[mdunn]

Re: Keeping outboard straight on transom saver for trailering?

I have a Yamaha F115 so it's pretty heavy too.
I use a heavy duty shock cord/bungee cord arond the lower unit fastened to holes in the transom saver.
I also have a regular bungee attached from the cleat next to the steering to the wheel when I dock.
I can take pictures if needed.

Hi, as many might know from my previous posts, I have a "new" boat with a 2002 Merc 90hp carb'd four stroke. Motor is at the limit for the boat's rating and being a four stroke is pretty massive for a 90 so I guess it's good to trailer with the transom saver on right? Do you store it that way too...does it really help?

My real question is how to keep the motor pointing straight on the transom saver when trailering, it always flops to one side, and does it even matter? I see the motor has a lock bar for when trimmed all the way up (when would I ever use that?) but I don't see anything to lock the steering from side to side?

Hope it's not a dumb question, this is my first "big" outboard....

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Keeping outboard straight on transom saver for trailering?

Your best bet is to secure the steering wheel as TD said.

 

[JB]

Re: Keeping outboard straight on transom saver for trailering?

This seems to me like a trailering question.

Let's try Trailers and Towing

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Keeping outboard straight on transom saver for trailering?

Get a good transom saver, not one that have the rubber V on the lower unit end. The rubber will get weak and allows the motor to moves to one side or the other when you make a turn on the road. Put the transom saver on and lower the motor trim down until you can't move the motor side to side. That oughta keep it straight. I like to keeps mine straight when trailering because I think it does affect your aerodynamic when crooked and it looks better straight. Unless you're storing for a long time, unattended, and with the battery out of the boat, you don't have to have it. I don't know about anybody else's but mine drift down ever so slowly when sitting for a long time. I keeps mine trim all the way down with the skeg about an inch off the ground during winter. About every two weeks, the skeg would touch the ground. I just trim it back up.

one like this should works well.

http://www.iboats.com/Swivl_Eze_Pro...36278601--list_time.1200415773--view_id.37843

 

[reellittlephish]

Re: Keeping outboard straight on transom saver for trailering?

Flopping motor might be an early indication of wear on your steering cable(s). You can keep motor straight by using bungie cord from steering wheel to some cleat or rail on your boat. As mentioned lowering the transom saver can help at risk of dinging the skeg.....If you are storing in freezing conditions, consider lowering the motor to let water drain out of the lower unit.