transom saver needed?

[jedimaster]

Just wondering if anyone uses or recommends using a transom saver on an inboard?

 

[180shabah]

Re: transom saver needed?

I assume that when you say inboard you really mean I/O or sterndrive.

They actually make something for these called trailering clips, that snap onto the trim rams.

 

[jedimaster]

Re: transom saver needed?

Ah thats it, are they needed? Does anyone use them.

 

[180shabah]

Re: transom saver needed?

Ah thats it, are they needed? Does anyone use them.

You will probably get a 50-50 mix on that question. First, you gotta look at what they do. They do not protect your transom in any way, it doesn't really need any help as your outdrive is several hundred pounds lighter than an outboard. The clips will protect your drive if you develop a leak in the hydraulic tilt system. They will prevent the drive from dropping and dragging on the pavement.

Do you need them? Probably not.

Have I ever had a hydraulic leak that allowed the drive to drop? Nope

Do I use them? Every single time the drive is raised. $15 is not alot to spend for a little piece of mind.

 

[paulrfrancisco]

Re: transom saver needed?

In my opinion, mostly they're used for outboards and trailering.. 1. it secures the motor up as 180shabah says, but 2, while trailering, the trailer will tend to bounce and having a large outboard hanging on the edge/end of the transom, could over time, I suppose contribute to the degradation of the transom... Although, you have think that the loads on the transom while flying over waves and holeshots with water skiiers is likely to be as great or greater... IMHO

 

[jedimaster]

Re: transom saver needed?

Ok, so these things just clip onto the hydraullic ram shafts and lock them in place?I thought that they hooked onto the trailer some how to help ease the weight of the bouncing around on the highway.
I know there is some debate over the usefulness of the transom savers even with outboards.... I will not get into that debate.
Thanks, nest time I am in a marina I'll try and remember to grab pair.

 

[evilratgirl]

Re: transom saver needed?

I think some terminology is getting mixed up.

The "transom saver" is used on outboards. It connects between the back of the trailer and the lower unit. Its purpose is to support the lower unit, thus removing some of the stress on the transom from having the outboard hanging off it. It also takes stress off the hydraulics by not having to hold the outboard up.

As Shaba mentioned, clips are used on outdrives. They clip on the trim rams. Same basic purpose, but as mentioned an outdrive dosen't really stress the transom. Their basic purpose it to ease the load on the hydraulics and protect the outdrive should there be a hydraulic failure.