Force 85hp trailering Bracket Pic?

[2000xpsd]

Anyone have a picture of the trailering bracket INSTALLED? I know what it looks like but not sure how it is installed on the stern brackets. I don't have one and I am going to fab one so i need to know how it is installed for dimensions.

...and yes i know i could just buy a transom saver

 

[baxtr]

Re: Force 85hp trailering Bracket Pic?

This is off of my 125, a transom saver won't work with my trailer because the last cross member is at the wheels of the trailer, and the boat hangs past almost 5 feet yet, they make a saver with a bend in it to reach in under the boat, but not that far. Savers are better, if one will work on your trailer, but here are pics of the bar:


Starboard side:

Port side:

 

[2000xpsd]

Re: Force 85hp trailering Bracket Pic?

Perfect...exactly what i was looking for.
Thanks for taking the time to post those pics

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Force 85hp trailering Bracket Pic?

You can also use 1 inch square tubing on the side where the two prongs go in the bracket. Drill and weld in two straight pieces of steel bar. Need to drill the holes at different elevations to get the proper tilt to the bar so it meets the pads on the engine. Saves bending 1/2 inch steel on that side. I have one of each type. Sorry! I never was able to post photos--can't download onto my computer.

From what I understand, those stern brackets are very dear to buy--like over 100 bucks

And I always figured that if the transom was strong enough to take full throttle acceleration forces, it should be able to stand up to trailering forces. So I never used a transom saver.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Force 85hp trailering Bracket Pic?

My '85 bracket works the same, but is a one piece round steel job that goes in from the inside of the transome mount, and then the trim pin is used to hold it in place.

I guess they made a few variations. Mine looks like it holds the motor at the same angle. Maybe its different because I don't have power tilt/trim?

 

[baxtr]

Re: Force 85hp trailering Bracket Pic?

I like your idea Frank, I would like the motor to sit a bit higher that the stock bracket allows, I have allready "sanded" my skeg a couple times, and that is a gut wrenching sound. I may have to make a new one. And you are correct about the price, they go quickly when I see them on ebay.

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Force 85hp trailering Bracket Pic?

You can also use 1 inch square tubing on the side where the two prongs go in the bracket. Drill and weld in two straight pieces of steel bar. Need to drill the holes at different elevations to get the proper tilt to the bar so it meets the pads on the engine. Saves bending 1/2 inch steel on that side. I have one of each type. Sorry! I never was able to post photos--can't download onto my computer.

From what I understand, those stern brackets are very dear to buy--like over 100 bucks

And I always figured that if the transom was strong enough to take full throttle acceleration forces, it should be able to stand up to trailering forces. So I never used a transom saver.

I think I have the exact same combo. One is the bent bar style shown in baxtr's photos and the other is the square tube style. I prefer the bar style because if I recall I install my trim setting bar across the stern bracket without interference.
If I get a chance I will post a pdf drawing of the rod style bracket. It may assist a few folks making up their own instead of hunting for one.

 

[RRitt]

Re: Force 85hp trailering Bracket Pic?

the point of the bracket is not to save your transom, it is to save your gearcase. At full tilt the static hydraulic pressure can be fairly close to the bypass setting. It takes more PSI to tilt than trim. If you hit a big pothole then the engine can drop. Even without bypass, everytime you bounce it sends a pressure spike into the system and can eventually blow out seals resulting in a broken skeg/gearcase, possibly even striking the trim cover and breaking the trim cylinder. You should never tow your boat without a trailering bracket unless you have a small (lightweight) engine.

 

[JDP]

Re: Force 85hp trailering Bracket Pic?

This is off of my 125, a transom saver won't work with my trailer because the last cross member is at the wheels of the trailer, and the boat hangs past almost 5 feet yet, they make a saver with a bend in it to reach in under the boat, but not that far. Savers are better, if one will work on your trailer, but here are pics of the bar:



I have the transom saver you are talking about. Extends to 54" I beleive. I bought it a couple of weeks ago and it has made 2 trips to the lake. The second trip the thing broke about 4" from the end. It must have broke right before I pulled into the boat prep area because it didn't fall of the bracket it attaches to. If it wasn't for the fact that the shop I got it from was closed I would have raised heck.

 

[baxtr]

Re: Force 85hp trailering Bracket Pic?

One trailering bracket off of a 125 on ebay right now if you didn't make one yet, it is the style like Frank was talking about with the square tube.

search for : Force Outboard Trailer Bracket / Pin / Most Models


that is the exact auction title, it's at 5 bucks now

 

[force fan]

Re: Force 85hp trailering Bracket Pic?

I have an Escort trailer for my 1988 Blue Fin 1700. I solved the outboard support problem by buying an extra trailer cross member from Escort. I installed it at the rear of the trailer and now the outboard support doesn't have to reach as far to join the lower unit to the trailer. A lower unit support is much better for the motor than the bracket.

 

[azlakes]

Re: Force 85hp trailering Bracket Pic?

"You should never tow your boat without a trailering bracket unless you have a small (lightweight) engine."


Question: Is this trailering bracket the one shown in the pictures above? Or something else?

 

[baxtr]

Re: Force 85hp trailering Bracket Pic?

"You should never tow your boat without a trailering bracket unless you have a small (lightweight) engine."


Question: Is this trailering bracket the one shown in the pictures above? Or something else?

Trailering bracket is what is shown in pics, Yes

they do make other ones called transom savers , they are arms that support the motor leg to the trailer crossbar or keel roller

 

[Bigprairie1]

Re: Force 85hp trailering Bracket Pic?

Trailering bracket is what is shown in pics, Yes

they do make other ones called transom savers , they are arms that support the motor leg to the trailer crossbar or keel roller

I second that. I have both style of 'factory' brackets and the one indicated by Baxtr on Ebay is one of the originals and will do the trick.
For $5....its a great deal.

 

[Bassman13]

Re: Force 85hp trailering Bracket Pic?

See, I have a 50hp and the bracket is the same only smaller in scale and I can not find one for the life of me who would have these aftermarket sizes ive only found 85hp sizes?

 

[azlakes]

Re: Force 85hp trailering Bracket Pic?

... way back i learned from this thread and ended up doing both for peace of mind. but since you are short one, maybe this type of transom(outboard) saver may be of help. it might be easier to find and install. as i mentioned in a different thread these kits are easier to find. your existing trailer has bolts used for the eyelets for the transom safety straps. you might be able to use them as i did to anchor the metal base saving some time.

g-luk