Transom Savers - Good or Evil

[tschmidty]

Re: Transom Savers - Good or Evil

I agree that if your transom is solid it shouldn't be completely necessary.

I personally use a third strap and strap the outdrive up to the ski hook. Takes just a second and I feel better knowing it will stay up if the trim cylinders leak ot just in general taking that stress off the drive. No it is not the same stress as when out boating but I know it doesn't hurt either.

 

[Mr_engineer]

Re: Transom Savers - Good or Evil

I highly recommend using a transom saver on ob's when towing. Consider that with the motor raised at 45 degrees you have a cantilevered weight which is pivoted at the transom. If the trailer and boat aren't moving, the weight is stationary (constant loading) at the transom and therefore you shouldn't have any structural problems. If the trailer is moving (towed), that weight is also moving (bouncing) increasing and decreasing the load on the transom. The transom saver transfers that load to the trailer structure which is rigid and designed to handle much greater loads then the transom. Although it could take years before any damage occurs, why take a chance when you can purchase a good tarnsom saver for $30.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Transom Savers - Good or Evil

the suspension of the trailer is absorbing the load unless you're driving down a washboard road at 80 miles an hour.

 

[mxzeatr]

Re: Transom Savers - Good or Evil

I'll be watching this. I just bought a 1987 Four Winns that is in re-markable shape, but hasn't been towed much at all (prev. owners lived on the lake), and I've already pulled it about 350 miles, I can't lower the motor all the way in the driveway, let alone when driving it, so I was thinking of a transom saver....

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Transom Savers - Good or Evil

actually a washboard road at 80 feels smooth as asphalt--done it in Australia but with no trailer. You just float over it. But not at 40....

 

[capt sam]

Re: Transom Savers - Good or Evil

I'll borrow my nieghbor's boat to test your theory....

 

[Lrider]

Re: Transom Savers - Good or Evil

Except for an I/O that is designed to lift for travel,

I would be uncomfortable at any vertical clearance from the road in the down position.

too many things can jump up and hit the lower end, not to mention the deep dip of a driveway or just deep pot holes

So tilt up is the way to go for me

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Transom Savers - Good or Evil

Extreme case here, but the second time I took my current boat/trailer out, a leaf spring shackle failed and the axle ripped right off the trailer while doing about 35 mph on the freeway offramp. Wound up dragging an axle-less trailer a good 30 feet.

Transom saver saved my motor and transom on that deal

Luckily I was very near the Bay (in the "boating district"), and it happened right in front of a trailer repair shop.

 

[DCC]

Re: Transom Savers - Good or Evil

I use one on my boat. not trying to be jerk but i dont care if someone else thinks I do or dont need one its my boat motor and trailer and it just make sense to use one not expensive any way!

 

[jbing81]

Re: Transom Savers - Good or Evil

I dont use a transom saver. But I do run a tie strap from both aft cleats and arournd by the prop on my 25 Evinrude. On a smaller boat, like the 15' Starcraft I have, theres is def. a difference.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Transom Savers - Good or Evil

DCC, nail right on the head. It's your boat & motor & you can do whatever you want to it. I've been saying that type of statement for a long time now on my FJ Cruiser forum. Anyway, I need to buy one of these. When my motor is in the down position it will almost touch the ground. I always thought it was really low. I now travel with the motor locked in the tilted up position & use 2 ratchet straps to keep it from falling.

 

[nimmor]

Re: Transom Savers - Good or Evil

I use one and have on all my boats. I have no proof if it protects the transom or not. I use them to keep the motor from dragging because I don't have tilt and trim.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Transom Savers - Good or Evil

The problem with these types of discussions is that each application if different.

You certainly need some sort of a motor support on a 14' tinny with a 9.9 sitting on the back. On the other hand, you do not need support on an offshore boat designed to accommodate twin 225 HP outboards on a bracket.

If transom savers are required because of the design of the boat, would there not be a warning in your owner?s manual?

Does your warranty clauses should exclude coverage if the boat as trailored w/o a transom saver?

If a transom saver is mandatory, should the manufacturer or dealer not be required to supply one?

 

[Lrider]

Re: Transom Savers - Good or Evil

The problem with these types of discussions is that each application if different.

You certainly need some sort of a motor support on a 14' tinny with a 9.9 sitting on the back. On the other hand, you do not need support on an offshore boat designed to accommodate twin 225 HP outboards on a bracket.

If transom savers are required because of the design of the boat, would there not be a warning in your owner?s manual?

Does your warranty clauses should exclude coverage if the boat as trailored w/o a transom saver?

If a transom saver is mandatory, should the manufacturer or dealer not be required to supply one?

You have some valid points - here in socal you don't see a lot of "offshore boat designed to accommodate twin 225 HP outboards" on a trailer, so I wouldn't know if they use transom savers, then again as noted above "it's your boat, you can do as you wish with it"

Actually, in 1985 when I bought a 16 ft Deep-v SC Tracker, the dealer not only supplied a transom saver, they made sure I knew why it was there and how to use it.

I am not saying that it was required by the manufacturer, then I don't know if it was. As far as being required and mandatory, unless there are a significant number of motors falling off on the freeways and creating a hazard, you won't see it as mandatory.

However, Safety and Health Requirements Manual (EM385-1-1 (Nov 2003)) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, does require the use of a transom saver by their contractors, interesting.

I would love to hear from the 4 people that checked the "I left my motor and transom in the street" if in fact something did happen.

I do agree with most of the posters that if the motor did fall off, it shouldn't have been attached in the first place.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Transom Savers - Good or Evil

I have had a few OMC/BRP motors over the years. All of them have a device that could be put into place to hold the motor up. I have always assumed these are intended to be used for trailering the boat.

My 76-70 HP Evinrude had a bracket that folded down and latched into the transom bracket and I think it actually had the words "Trailer Brace" or something cast right into it.

My 91-150 Hp Evinrude had a similar bracket that folded and had a small latch that held it to the transom bracket also.

My 01-150 HP Evinrude had almost the exact same design as the 91 except it didn't have a latch to hold the motor from going up.

My 04-150 HP Evinrude is the same as the 01.

I have considered a transom saver and then figured that if OMC and now BRP have included this convenient device right on the motor, it is all that should really be required.

These devices are not the same as the little tilt lock that can be engaged while the boat is in the water. The brackets fold down from the portion of the trim/tilt bracket that is attached to the midsection of the motor and seat into a groove on the portion of the transom bracket that is attached to the boat.

So, now I am a little confused. Don't all motors have a device like this?

 

[Lrider]

Re: Transom Savers - Good or Evil

Do you rely on the tilt lock to keep the motor up (which is not what it is designed for) or do you use one to prevent stern flexing.

RotaryRacer, "All of them have a device that could be put into place to hold the motor up. I have always assumed these are intended to be used for trailering the boat."

I need to believe what Silvertip says regarding the tilt lock

My motor also has one, I took a very close look at it and other then a spring, do not see what would hold it in place during a good bounce. Also the general construction of the tilt lock really is very light, suggesting that it is more of a service device than a safety device.

As pointed out in other posts, the transom saver also keeps the motor from flopping around side to side.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Transom Savers - Good or Evil

I think the device hasn't changed but the manufacturers, afraid of liability, now tell you not to use the trailer brace for trailering. I'll go check my old owner's manual (1988 OMC). My 2003 Yam says "don't trailer"
I've wondered whether a real good bounce could throw the motor up and cause the brace to flip off (against the spring) and then the motor falls. Not likely, IMO. And if you have even a few inches clearance, so what? One hard drop isn't going to do any damage.
10 years of trailering 55 HP OMC's followed by 20 years of a 70 HP OMC, 160 mile round trip, bad roads, at least 5 times a year, no issues. None reported by friends who do the same.
But I repeat my question: has anyone ever seen one fail?

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Transom Savers - Good or Evil

One thing to consider... The engine block of an outboard is heavy. Once you get it tilted all the way up, its very likely it is a near vertical force on the transom. In other words, there is almost no leverage from bouncing, it is all vertical.

Most trim systems have some slack. Try lifting your outboard by the skeg when its tilted all the way up. I've done this with various engines, most have very little weight on the skeg.

 

[asm_]

Re: Transom Savers - Good or Evil

I use transom any time when I tow my boat. It's simple decision based from mechanical engineering point of view.

I know someone have argued in this thread that since a boat transom is subjected to more abuse during actual use, a little bump going down the road wouldn't hurt it. Presented with that argument, I would say, simply because a device was designed to handle the load during use, why subject it to un-necessary abuse when it's not in use?

-

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Transom Savers - Good or Evil

I would say, simply because a device was designed to handle the load during use, why subject it to un-necessary abuse when it's not in use?

because its not 'abuse' if its within design limits... Its normal use. And transoms don't die from normal use.

But you ARE subjecting your trailer to abuse that it was not designed for and is outside the normal limits of use...