Transom Saver

[san dimas]

I have a 14' Valco aluminum boat witha 9.9 hp Force outboard. When I tow it the motor really bounces around. I'm afraid that this will harm the transom. Do you think I should put a transom saver on it or not worry about it? I'm planning to take it to the Sierra Nevada mountains a couple of times this year (600 mile round trip).

 

[Philster]

Re: Transom Saver

Generally, more alum boat makers recommend transom savers more than fiberglass boat makers recommend them.

I think the current BoatUS Trailer Guide has an explanation or two as to why alum boats are more vulnerable to transom damage w/out a transom saver.

I fully expect someone to chime in and say they are a waste.

 

[Pony]

Re: Transom Saver

.

I fully expect someone to chime in and say they are a waste.

I am sure that someone will, as it is similar to an oil debate.

I used one for awhile with my 14ft alumacraft......not because the motor bounced around, but because I didn't like how low the motor was without it. My towing set up is different now so I don't use I don't use it anymore. You could always strap the motor down as well to keep it from bouncing.....one thing I noticed was the transom savor rubbed away the paint on the motor after awhile.

 

[idonthaveaname]

Re: Transom Saver

a 9.9 doesn't weigh that much. can't imagine it causing the transom to move so much from bouncing. is there any support on the transom? i would love to see a picture. still, you can attach a transom saver...just don't want you to do something to "just fix it" and get to understand IF there is another problem.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Transom Saver

Just bungee the leg to the trailer. And maybe slow down a bit when towing.

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Transom Saver

If you have adequate clearance to tow with it down I would do that. If you have to tow with it up I personally would recommend the "motor defloperizer". Not so much as to limit stress on the transom as your motor is light but because I personally don't trust the tilt lock and have heard some real horror stories of motors dropping and causing serious damage.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Transom Saver

The 9.9hp motor is light, which is probably why it's bouncing so much. Slap a sturdy bungee on it and call it a day.

If the motor isn't bolted to the transom....probably a good time to do it, so the motor doesn't bounce OFF the transom.

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Transom Saver

Sometimes the light motors are more bouncy than the heavy ones because they don't have their own weight to hold them down.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Transom Saver

I'll say it. They are a waste.

Tie it down. Or take it off and lay it in the boat over the axle.

Never heard even one "horror story" about tilt locks failing--not one that was verified. Although I might not trust the tilt lock on a very old motor. Put a block of wood under there for a back-up (tied to something, for the sake of the guy behind you)

 

[Pony]

Re: Transom Saver

I'll say it. They are a waste.

Tie it down. Or take it off and lay it in the boat over the axle.

Never heard even one "horror story" about tilt locks failing--not one that was verified. Although I might not trust the tilt lock on a very old motor. Put a block of wood under there for a back-up (tied to something, for the sake of the guy behind you)

I have seen a motor that was being towed with the motor all the way up come crashing down once.....really nasty set of railroad tracks. Both trailer tires actually left the ground when he hit the tracks. Looked pretty violent. Motor stayed on the transom. Did it do damage? No idea.... Was the tilt lock working correctly....Not sure.

Either way I could never/have never towed with a motor all the way up. I always put it all the way down and strap it in place. As I said above I have used a saver in the past. Big truck tires and small trailer tires made the lower unit to low for my comfort.

 

[sublauxation]

Re: Transom Saver

I realize I have no pictures and therefore my account isn't verifiable but I broke the tilt lock on my 1985 Johnson 8 1/2 hp. We actually had 2 of them, identical. One sheared off and the other got bent up beyond recognition and usefulness. I think it was a lousy design but it was from towing. Now I suppose we could have driven those 40 miles of gravel road at 10mph and everything would have been fine but that would have left little time for fishing. We could have put the motor over the axle in the bottom of the boat but it'd still be bouncing, just over an area likely not designed for it. I can also say first hand tiller handles don't like being bounced around in the bottom of a boat when the motor is laying on it's side.

If you don't have the height to leave it down the block of wood idea is good as long as you do what Home Cooking said, Make sure the block is tied to something so it can't just fall out and hit somebody behind you. Otherwise a properly mounted transom saver would work just fine.

 

[Mikeyboy]

Re: Transom Saver

I agree if you can tow with the motor down that works great but if you can not do that a transom saver is a great idea. Yes you can use a block of wood as well if you don't want to spend the money on one. I personally don't trust a block of wood to stay in place so I spent the whooping $30 on a transom saver. Did I NEED it probably not is my peace of mind worth $30 yes. Just my opinion take it for what it's worth.