Stern Saver and Trailer Straps?

[jmb23802]

I have a Four Winns runabout that has a transducer on the transom a few inches over from the speedo sensor. Prior owner mounted the transducer directly to the transom and used "sillycone" to seal the mounting screws, which are now, of course, leaking. I would like to fix this by filling the transducer screw holes and covering them with a Stern Saver, then mount the transducer to the Stern Saver in the same place. The problem I think I have is today the trailer strap passes right between the speedo sensor and the transducer mount and I cannot see a way to add a standard Stern Saver without the trailer strap passing over the top of the Stern Saver somewhere.

What do you think will happen to the Stern Saver if I run the trailer strap over it? Common sense tells me that this may work for a time but eventually the strap will work the Stern Saver loose or completely off unless I keep the strap kinda loose, but I may be off here.

Other factors that are in play here are: 1) I am trying to keep this easy by avoiding moving the transducer somewhere else and dialing it in again (and covering the existing holes with something else) when it works fine where it is. 2) I do not want to spend more money for a custom/homemade Stern Saver board that will allow a cleaner installation and accommodate the strap better.

So, will Stern Saver get displaced by trailer strap over time or do I have nothing to worry about?

 

[gm280]

Interesting issue. But could you take a few pictures and post them so we can see what you are dealing with. That way you will get much better ideas and suggestions for a possible fix...

 

[GA_Boater]

Pics of the set-up would be good. And can you angle the straps more to the left or right? They work just as well angled as straight up and down.

 

[jmb23802]

Here is the best pic I have.

 

[GA_Boater]

The PB link isn't to your pic or album, it's to the PB home page.. Click the IMG code box and paste the pic in a new message.

 

[jmb23802]

Here's a few pics. I might be able to get away with mounting the Stern Saver ("SS") horizontally but I think aligning the longer edge of the SS with the bottom edge of the transom might give me more room to move the transducer around in the future (or mount a different one). I might be able to leave enough room to angle the strap off to one side of the SS but that will put lateral pressure on the SS and I'm not sure how that would work out over time.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I'd be worried about the strap rubbing on the SternSaver.

I've seen other folks on here move the strap's attachment point on the trailer. You can get replacements that attach to the trailer with u-bolts or you could have someone weld something for you. It would be pretty simple and it would allow you to route the strap wherever you need it to go.

 

[GA_Boater]

Do your straps have hooks on both ends or is the ratchet fixed to the trailer. In either case, move the outboard trailer attaching points to clear the ladder.

 

[jigngrub]

I wouldn't worry about installing the stern saver, just remove the transducer and remount and seal it correctly. Remove all the silicone crapola and remount with a marine epoxy sealer like Loc-tite marine epoxy or 3M 5200 fast set. You may want to do the same with the speedo sensor.

 

[jmb23802]

Thanks for the replies.

jigngrub that is a very practical suggestion and I like it. I thought about going the clean and re-seal route - but after doing so much other work to get this boat mechanically up to snuff at this point I would rather just slap on a stern saver (after filling the original holes), and get on the water. With the sternsaver I shouldn't have to wonder in the back of my mind if those screws are leaking again or stress about re-sealing if I re-gear with a different transducer down the road.

SASinIL and GA_Boater - thanks for the suggestion about moving the trailer tie-downs. My trailer has an oversize hole at the end of the outside frame channel on either side so for now I can just strap from that location until I get a better attachment point sorted. Will just take an extra couple seconds to make sure I am not pinching a wire. I'll get something more permanent setup later.