Transom savers?

[bonz_d]

The trailer I just obtained came with a transom saver and I've never used one myself. The old boat and trailer was always used with the engine in the down position as there was a great deal of clearance that way.

This new trailer is a low V Shoreland'r w/o a lot of clearance with the engine down. Also the engine on this boat is an outboard and does not have power tilt & trim. So how does one secure the bar on an engine w/o power tilt? How do you keep te engine from turning side to side while it's up on the bar? How do you keep pressure on the bar? Should the engine be tilted all the way up and then have the bar installed?

 

[barrynfla]

Re: Transom savers?

I have a transom saver on my 25 hp Johnson. I secure it with a VERY strong bungee cord. No movement side to side and the motor is very secure. No, the engine does not need to be tilted all the way up.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Transom savers?

So the tension of the bungee is enough!? Doesn't bounce around?

 

[lncoop]

Re: Transom savers?

I recently picked up a sixteen foot john with a 25. I've found a cam strap from the motor (just above the A/V plate) to the trailer's rear crossmember and another cam strap from the motor (again, just above A/V plate) to the transom saver works very well. Very effective and much quicker and easier than it may sound. I can probably round up a pic if you want.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Transom savers?

Yeah coop a picture would be great!

 

[roscoe]

Re: Transom savers?

Hey bond_d, with a non power tilt motor, you need a transom saver that is connected to the trailer.

The type that rests over the top of a trailer keel roller won't work well, or be secure, i.e. it could bounce off.

You need one like second from the left in the photo. Bolt the little bracket to the trailer. Then you pin the saver in place with the hitch pin, and place a rubber tarp strap around the lower unit.
If you are afraid the motor will still bounce, you can also add a ratchet strap from the motor to the trailer frame for extra security.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Transom savers?

Yeah coop a picture would be great!

Couldn't find a good one that clearly showed my southern engineering. I'll try and remember to take one this evening or tomorrow.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Transom savers?

Thanks roscoe.

The one I have I believe came from Shoreland'r. It fits into a bracket under the last cross member and has an end on it kind of like the last one you pictured. So it looks like I'll need a ratchet strap.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Transom savers?

Couldn't find a good one that clearly showed my southern engineering. I'll try and remember to take one this evening or tomorrow.

Thanks coop, will look forward to your pics though no need to rush out and do it. Got about 10 days before I have to really worry about it then I'm on vacation for a week and plan to pull the boat to a couple nearby lakes for some good fishin!

 

[barrynfla]

Re: Transom savers?

Hey bond_d, with a non power tilt motor, you need a transom saver that is connected to the trailer.

The type that rests over the top of a trailer keel roller won't work well, or be secure, i.e. it could bounce off.

You need one like second from the left in the photo. Bolt the little bracket to the trailer. Then you pin the saver in place with the hitch pin, and place a rubber tarp strap around the lower unit.
If you are afraid the motor will still bounce, you can also add a ratchet strap from the motor to the trailer frame for extra security.

My trailer attachment is the second one from the left with the removable pin and the end is similar to the one on the right. No problems with bouncing at all but I will say that, because we don't get frost in Tampa, the roads are very smooth. A strap couldn't hurt.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Transom savers?

Or skip it, and put a board up under the motor and secure it.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Transom savers?

So I was looking at some pictures on the net and now have a better understanding of how to use this thing. Now my question is with the strap. I've seen some where the strap is going to the transom eyes and some that were going to the same ones that the transom straps would attach to the trailer rails. None with the strap going to where the bar would attach to the crossmember.

So which is the best or more prefered way to strap the engine down? To the trailer or to the boat?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Transom savers?

Assuming the trailer is already secured to the boat, you could do either.

By attaching to the trailer frame gives you a better downward angle, which will hold the motor down better.

If you place the strap from transom eye, across the back of the motor leg, to the other transom eye, the strap will tend to slide up the motor when you tighten it.