transom saver or not

[1955]

Hello I have a little 14' bayliner with a 50 hp force on it. no power tilt, should I use a transom saver and what is a good one. with the boat on trailer and connected to jeep, bottom of shaft is only 6" off ground. now I do have a thing on the motor to hold it up but do I trust it. it looks like if I set it in the up position the first bump will kick it out???? it has a locking mechanism that is factory but I am not sure if I trust it.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: transom saver or not

I have one of these and it works nice.

http://www.iboats.com/Transom-Saver-Bolt-On-Springfield/dm/*******.639905623--**********.949311002--view_id.131674

I trailered my boat without on a transom saver before and the outboard was flopping around all over the place,,, not good.

 

[robert graham]

Re: transom saver or not

Buy a transom saver and use it, you'll save yourself worry and problems.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: transom saver or not

I'm no expert but after reading all the pros and cons over the year I finally bought one and am happy I did. The motor is positively locked in a safe place, it doesn't turn when cornering (I no longer have to lock the stearing wheel) and while some people swear the motor's built in locking mechanism wont fail, I'd hate to have to replace one if it did. I'd say it was $50 well spent.

 

[1955]

Re: transom saver or not

My trailer is not at the back of my boat but rather on each side of transom where the lights are connected and transom tiedowns are. how do you get it to connect to the trailer? can it be set in a offset position to one side to get to the trailer?

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: transom saver or not

why not for $20 is a $500 motor worth it?

 

[fishrdan]

Re: transom saver or not

My trailer is not at the back of my boat but rather on each side of transom where the lights are connected and transom tiedowns are. how do you get it to connect to the trailer? can it be set in a offset position to one side to get to the trailer?

You don't have a trailer crossmember or roller it can mount to, unobstructed and in a straight line to the outboard?

They have bent transom savers, go out straight, then up at an angle.

http://www.iboats.com/MD-ANGLED-ADJUSTABLE-TRANSOM-S-Swivl-Eze/dm/*******.639905623--**********.476312459--view_id.273454

Though, I'm not a huge fan of that style of motor saddle. It wouldn't stand up to my buddies 115 Merc, ripped apart the rubber after a while,,, scratched up the lower unit.

 

[1955]

Re: transom saver or not

The cross member is 2' from the end of the transom under the boat. Does the saver have to be in the center? I would think so but ?????? like I said the trailer ends are about 18" on both sides of center and about 3" from end of transom with lights and plate and tie-down ring on them. I sould just send a pic??

 

[1955]

Re: transom saver or not

some pics and like I said the crossmenber is 2 feet from the end of transom

 

[sublauxation]

Re: transom saver or not

They make an elongated transom saver that will work for sure. My back cross beam is about 14 inches from the back of the boat and I can just get by with the regular one.

 

[1955]

Re: transom saver or not

It is 47"from the crossmember to the motor and it would be a 46 degree angle

 

[fishrdan]

Re: transom saver or not

The outboard does not have to be in the full up and locked position, just get it about 18" off the ground. Unless that's where it's at being 4' away from the cross member. If so, then you will need one of those long, bent TS's.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: transom saver or not

In both those photos, the trailering bar shows. It is the "U" shaped bar that connects to the transom clamps. You raise the engine and the bar, set the engine onto the bar and then lock the reverse lock--that is the lever in the front of the engine. For added safety, a bungee or two to hold the engine to the bar is good. It is MORE that sufficient to support the engine for trailering. Here's something similar on my big engine.

Don't let anyone scare you about how the engine will slam the transom while trailering and ruin it. The engine is close to balanced while on the trailering bar AND If the transom can take the engine thrust loads while running the boat, it certainly can take the bump loads while trailering.

In the photo, you can also see a plate I put on the transom. Chrysler and Force clamps are narrow and tend to bite into the transom fiberglass. The plate of .080 hard aluminum spreads the clamp pressure and preserves the fiberglass.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: transom saver or not

not necessary especially since your cross bar is so far back. Tilt it and if you must, tie a line from the stern cleat/handle, around the motor, and to the other cleat/handle.
They are completely unnecessary, adn if you had a motor on one of those long bent ones, you'd want to have it on the tilt lock anyway.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: transom saver or not

Hold 2X4 or piece of wood from the bottom edge of the cross member to the motor so it just misses the back of your transom and see if it gets you the height off the ground you need for safety. I just measured mine and the cross bar is about 16 inches from the back of the transom. I mounted the transom saver bracket as low as I could and my transom saver is extended about 44 inches. Works perfectly. If needed you could probably mount some sort of plate to drop the cross member bracket a couple inches, it probably wouldn't take much to make it clear the boat.

I also read my owners manual and I guess each motor is different but for my Evinrude it specifically says not to trailer with the tilt bracket engaged.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: transom saver or not

I think all of the owners manuals now say not to trailer on the tilt bracket, yet thousands of people have done it for decades and with no reports of a bracket failing.
IMO transom "savers" are a waste of money and can put damaging stress on your trailer without any benefit to the boat. Others like them and disagree.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: transom saver or not

some pics and like I said the crossmenber is 2 feet from the end of transom

How's the performance of your boat?? Your motor looks as if it is mounted too low.

I would fabricate and attach a cross piece to support a transom saver.

 

[1955]

Re: transom saver or not

Hello Bob VT I have not had it in the water yet I have been fixing it for a year and a half now but I am close. Should be in the water in about 3- 5 weeks now. as for it sitting low don't have a clue as this is the way I got it. it does not look like any one changed it, looks factory. And thanks, now I have to think about my motor not set right?????? But I think I am ok with it.

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: transom saver or not

Not to sound like a stick in the mud but from the photos it looks like there are cracks on both sides where the outboard bracket is attached to the transom. Make sure the transom is sound before you do anything, no flex at all. Older bayliners were pretty famous for rotted out transoms, that one looks like it has a few tell tale signs. The cracks, silicone at bolts, misc. thru hulls in place or patched up. Not saying it is but just make sure and be safe with your rig.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: transom saver or not

Not to "worry" about the engine sitting right, but from the photos it does appear that the cavitation plate is sitting below the level of the bottom. You can EASILY raise the engine one inch and increase performance if it is.

Simply unbolt the bottom bolts, loosen the top clamps , and using a couple of blocks and a crowbar pry up the clamps until the bottom holes in the transom clamps are even with the holes in the transom. Then re-seal and re-bolt. Presto-zingo, the engine is one inch higher. Total time: 15 minutes if you have someone to help with the inside nuts.

AND, that engine at 156-160 pounds is so light, that two people can easily lift it if need be.