New Boat Owner needs advise trailering

[armywife57]

We just bought a new (used) 20' Deck boat and will pick it up over the weekend. Unfortunately we have to trailer it 400 miles and are new to this game. I've been reading to get info but still need more. I'm confused as to whether I should buy a Transom Saver or Motor Toter to take w/me. Some say transom saver transfers vibration from trailer to motor which is not good. I was looking at the Lock-n-haul online and local dealer has it. Think this is a good thing to get? Boat has a 150 Yamaha 4-stroke.

Anything else I should take with me to pick up this boat? Any advise to a novice would be most appreciated.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: New Boat Owner needs advise trailering

Have you trailered anything before? If so same basic principal watch speeds, plenty of breaking space in front of you. I personally would be much more concerned with the condition of the trailer than the transom saver at this point in time. Does the trailer have brakes? Do they work as they should? Have the wheel bearings been maintained well? Are the tires in good shape? Is there a good spare? I pull to Lake Powell a couple times each year and its around 350mi. each way. Not a terribly long drive but long enough and desolate enough that I am SURE the trailer is totally ready to roll before I leave, if not I don't go. The motor should have a built in lock that once the motor is tilted up can be flipped down to hold the motor up, plenty good to at least get you home. Make SURE the trailer is up to the task before you head out. A few other things to check- bow safety chain, transom straps, winch tight and in proper indent, tires at proper inflation.

 

[robert graham]

Re: New Boat Owner needs advise trailering

A second on what Utah said. Transom Saver is good to keep that 450 lb. motor from bouncing up and down on your transom while you drive, possibly causing fatigue cracking of transom. It just sorta locks everything together, works good!

 

[lncoop]

Re: New Boat Owner needs advise trailering

+1 on the transom saver. Also, it wouldn't be a bad idea to ask the seller if they can recommend a good tire shop (preferably a local place, not Sears, Pep Boys, etc.) to take it to. Ask the shop if you can watch them inspect the wheels, tires, bearings and brakes; that way you can begin to learn what to look for in that regard, and of course if any of the aforementioned do need attention, well, you're already there. Good luck on your adventure. Let us know how it turns out. Oh yeah, and welcome to iboats.

 

[dmoriarty51]

Re: New Boat Owner needs advise trailering

so long as everything is tied down correctly and cant move a transom saver isnt going to do any damage from vibrations and bumps, winch tight, safety chain on. transom straps tight to keep the tail from bouncing, and transom saver. and the boat and trailer should act as a single unit.

but yes make sure the trailer and your tow vehicle are up to snuff

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: New Boat Owner needs advise trailering

A spare tire,jack and some hand tools too...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: New Boat Owner needs advise trailering

Transom tie downs to keep the boat on the trailer. Bow safety chain the keep the boat from ending up on the back of the tow vehicle in a sudden stop or crash. Lug nuts on the trailer tight? Properly aired up. Does the trailer light harness on the tow vehicle work properly? Spare tire for the trailer and tools to change it (bottle or sissors jack and cross wrench to change said tire).

 

[armywife57]

Re: New Boat Owner needs advise trailering

Thanks for all the advise. We've towed a Waverunner before but nothing as big as this boat. All your advise is great. I'd thought of the transom straps but didn't think about the bow safety chain. Will definately get a spare tire and check things out before heading out.

I saw a Lock-n-haul online and found a local dealer that carries it. But it doesn't appear to lock the motor to the trailer. Do you anything about that devise or can you recommend another? Problem is can't order online since we'll need it in a couple days...

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: New Boat Owner needs advise trailering

What year is the setup you are looking at? if newer I would say you would be fine with the motor lock that is built in the bracket already. If the transom is so bad that you cant make one trip without a transom saver you may have much bigger concerns to address. Use the built in lock and run a strap over it to the transom hooks to keep it from bouncing up and down. As mentioned I would be much more concerned with the trailer and how its maintained. If you lose a bearing at 60-65mph it can be a disaster. Does the trailer have brakes? these are questions that you must be able to answer as you will be involving everyone else on the road while towing.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: New Boat Owner needs advise trailering

I agree with Utah; skip the transom saver. I don't think much of them in the first place.
Anyone ever see a built-in engine bracket fail? Heard of one? Me either.

 

[armywife57]

Re: New Boat Owner needs advise trailering

Boat is a 2009--13 hours on motor (motor built 7/08)-- so I guess we don't need the transom saver?? I'm still not sure about this one. Seems advise is 50/50 on whether it's needed or not.

Trailer is a 2010 so I feel pretty sure it will be in good shape as well. Guess I just need the spare tire, tire pressure gauge and jack, throw some extra tools in the back (just in case) straps, insurance, and we should be good to go.

Thanks!

 

[Bondo]

Re: New Boat Owner needs advise trailering

so I guess we don't need the transom saver?? I'm still not sure about this one.

Ayuh,... Use the motor's mechanical lock, 'n throw a rachetstrap onto it,...

It'll be just Fine...

 

[rodbolt]

Re: New Boat Owner needs advise trailering

and we still dont know who built the engine, thats the first thing we need.
and some manufatures specifically state, DO NOT trailer on the support locks.
after that, the rest is good.
make sure the tires,wheel bearings,springs and shackle bolts are in good shape.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: New Boat Owner needs advise trailering

oooopsy
I just reread, the F150 yamaha.
DO NOT trailer it on the locks.
swing by a dealer and buyone MAR-MTSPT-YM-08 support, follow the instructions and go enjoy the rig.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: New Boat Owner needs advise trailering

You are confronted with two different issues: (1) guarding against damage to the outboard motor, and (2) guarding against damage to the boat's transom where the outboard motor is attached.

As to (1) ... if you have enough road clearance beneath the motor to travel with it tilted down in a vertical position, you don't need anything to protect it. If, however, the motor must be tilted up to provide sufficient road clearance, you need something to hold it in that position. The tilt lock mechanism that comes with the motor is NOT to be used for this purpose (per Yamaha), and using the hydraulic tilt/trim (if you have it) is not recommended either. The "motor toter" (or other similar device) holds the motor in a tilted up position and eliminates the stresses that would otherwise be placed on the hydraulic tilt/trim system.

As to (2) ... whether you travel with the motor all the way down, or tilted up, its weight is 100% supported by the transom of your boat, and your boat is built strong enough to take it when being operated in the water or sitting still on the trailer. However, it may be that your boat's transom is not strong enough to tolerate the increased torque (twisting forces) which are applied from the weight of your motor as your rig bounces down the highway ... and that is where a "transom saver" comes in ... to transfer some of those "up and down bouncing" forces off your boat's transom and onto the trailer frame, thereby reducing the chance that you will damage your boat.

While trailering an outboard motor in a tilted up position, a "transom saver" does double duty, protecting both the motor and the boat, but its use depends upon the availability of a suitable trailer cross member beneath the motor to which the transom saver may be attached.

 

[armywife57]

Re: New Boat Owner needs advise trailering

Wow--thanks for that one. A very clear defination of the difference between the 2--I believe in my case the transom saver is the way to go. Thanks much.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New Boat Owner needs advise trailering

If you have a Gander Mountain or BassPro near you they should have one. I used the inexpensive BassPro branded one for my last boat and it worked really well. Wal-Mart may or may not carry one. I liked how the transom saver also prevented side to side movement.

 

[armywife57]

Re: New Boat Owner needs advise trailering

Darn, I had just decided that transomer saver was the way to go but now I go back to look at pics of boat, and although I don't have a clear shot, it doesn't appear that the trailer has anything to attach the transomer saver to.(see pic below) I called the past owner of the boat and asked him about it and he didn't have a clue as to what a transomer saver was and couldn't help out there. I guess I need to go with a motor support, but that doesn't help out with the stress on the transom. Anything else we can use to help that?

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: New Boat Owner needs advise trailering

Attwood makes an angled transom saver which might fit, but the geometry of those things seems quite a compromise as opposed to a straight one.
http://www.attwoodmarine.com/store/category/transom-savers

The likelihood of transom damage (without it) is probably very slight if you take it easy and consciously avoid the worst of the speed bumps, potholes, curbs and so forth. That is one very nice rig ... no wonder you want to take care of it.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: New Boat Owner needs advise trailering

Would need a pic of the back of the trailer...It looks like the trailer or bunks do not extend past the transom.

I have use a piece of 2x4 or 4x4 between the transom bracket and motor to hold them up and take stress off the tilt and trim...
This works in a pinch...with the use of the wood and a ratchet strap.