Transom Saver

[TC1]

Picking up My new Boat this weekend and would like to get some input on Transom Savers? Its a 17.5 fiberglass with a 115 Merc...Had a Smaller rig earlier (40 hp on a crestliner) and never used one, would I need one now? How many of u guys have them?

[Guest DavidGreen]

Have a Nitro 882 cdx w/150XR6 and wouldn't tow it anywhere with out a saver.

[Nick_Barr]

Any motor that is over 125 lbs. Should probably have a transom saver. the transom Saver Saves the transom From Cracking while towing. without one the whole Weight of the motor will be  putting stress on the transom, which could lead to serious damage, especially on fiberglass rigs.

[Minuteman]

Nick, thanks for the explanation. Something else I have to remember while looking this winter and spring. I'm always looking to save a few bucks, but saving a few bucks can cost you big time in the end (no pun intended).

[flechero]

A transom saver is very cheap "insurance."  I wouldn't go without one.

[Danno]

I have a 17.5 fiberglass sprint with a 115 Merc.  Never moves without one.  Is it absoultly necessary?  I rather never find out.  

[Ben]

The age old debate.

The motor manufactors say not to use one, many of the boat manufactors say to use one and there are good pro's and con's from both.

I've seen mid sections and lower units busted loose from the motor with them.  

I feel if the motor is bolted directly to the transome they probably serve no purpose any way.  Most motors today are designed to be towed in the trailering position with the mechanical lock in place.  This has the motor balanced over the transome so there are not real stresses placed on it.  

Most people that use transome savers use them wrong also and they still serve no pupose.  Most of the people I see using them bring the motor down on it with the trim and stop when it's setting on it.  They don't continue to trim down until it pulls the trim cylinder rods down and locks the motor  down on the transome saver.

[TC1]

WOW very interesting Ben...Seems like i'll seek advice from the dealer and see what they say. Perhaps if I get one ill also find out how they actually should used.

Thankyou all for the advice..this site has always been really helpful. Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving

[J._Bricker]

TC1- never would tow my boat without a transom saver, and my boat came from the dealership with one.  The sales rep showed me how to secure the motor on the saver, which included an explanation on how to save the lower units' paint.  Another thing, how many boats you see being towed without that $30 insurance policy?  And a Happy Turkey Day to you and yours.  JB

[MarkMartinFan_1989]

Picking up My new Boat this weekend and would like to get some input on Transom Savers? Its a 17.5 fiberglass with a 115 Merc...Had a Smaller rig earlier (40 hp on a crestliner) and never used one, would I need one now? How many of u guys have them?

I would always tow with one one for sure!!

[texasbass1]

If a motor was damaged by using a transom saver imagine the damage the boat would has suffered without one. In over 20 yrs of boating I have never seen or heard of a boat or motor being damaged by the use so a transom saver. But I have seen cracked transoms from rough roads and guys thinking the little lock on the motor was enough. Put the lock in place and see how much play is in the motor. All that vibration goes to the transom. Very cheap insurance, just make sure you get one that fits your trailer.

[Hawg_Hunter]

The age old debate.

The motor manufactors say not to use one, many of the boat manufactors say to use one and there are good pro's and con's from both.

I've seen mid sections and lower units busted loose from the motor with them.

I feel if the motor is bolted directly to the transome they probably serve no purpose any way. Most motors today are designed to be towed in the trailering position with the mechanical lock in place. This has the motor balanced over the transome so there are not real stresses placed on it.

Most people that use transome savers use them wrong also and they still serve no pupose. Most of the people I see using them bring the motor down on it with the trim and stop when it's setting on it. They don't continue to trim down until it pulls the trim cylinder rods down and locks the motor down on the transome saver.

Ben, I have a very good friend who owns a dealership (for 30 yrs) and I asked him this same question. He told me the exactly same thing you stated!

HH

[Fisher of Men]

$30 vs. $300+ in transom damage

No brainer!  Go with insurance.  

... and like Ben said, I run mine all the way down.  I have an older boat and really wish I had trim control on the transom.  It would save alot of running back and forth from the console.

[Ben]

All you need to do to add it in the rear of the is get you a momentary on single pole double throw toggle switch and a rubber cover to water proff it and install it in the rear somewhere.  The wires will just splice into the three wires going to the console trim control. This can be done with three blue Scotch Locks and three blue crimp on ends that match the terminals on the switch and a few feet of 16 ga stranded wire.   Home Depot used to have everything you need back in the electrical dept.   A momentary on switch is one that's spring loaded to automaticaly return to the center, off position when released.  Single pole, double throw is one that only has three terminals on the bottom.  You can use a double pole (has six terminals) and just use the three terminals on one side.    The common wire (usually red) will go on the center terminal and the up/down will go on the outer.  Mount the swich so when you push up the motor goes up.

As for transome savers, too much hype put into them.  I just hauled my 20 ft Javelin with a 225 Ficht on a 10" jackplate from Tucson Arizona to Jeffersonville GA (and came across Louisana on I-10) without a T-Saver and didn't bother me one bit about doing it.   On 99% of the roads you travel are going to be smooth highway except for a railroad crossing or two and the put brake pedals in the vehicle for those.   NOT saying to use one or not too, that's what ever makes you feel better.

[Fisher of Men]

Thanks for the 411, Ben! There is no jack plate on my boat. It's an '80 Champion with a 150 Merc. The hydraulic tilt/trim kind of leaks off pressure, so I'd be asking for it if I didn't use a transom saver.

Now, I'm going to step out on a limb. Ben Jones. . . from Georgia. . . 58 years old :-/

Are you Cooter? from Dukes of Hazzard?

and if you're not, how many times does this make?

Sorry, I couldn't resist!!

[Ben]

Nope, not that Ben.  Actaully known as Keith with friends and family.  I think Cooter would be a little older than 58 now.

[Fisher of Men]

Darn, I thought we might have a celebrity in our midst!

Come to think of it, I think he might actually live in Tennessee anyhow. I think there's a place near Pidgeon Forge called Cooter's Garage that he runs. (kind of a Dukes of Hazzard museum, I think) Well, it was worth asking though.

[Jeff_NHBA]

Ben Jones of "Dukes of Hazard" fame lives in Sperryville, VA in the Blue Ridge mountains.  He even had his own version of Cooter's Garage and one of the original "General Lee" cars out front but he's closed shop there.  He is a very motorcylist friendly guy so it seemed like every weekend one group or another would stop there during a run.  Eventhough he and his wife live in VA, he's the proprietor of "Cooter's Place" and the "Dukes of Hazzard" museum and shop in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

In case you wanted to know...

[Fisher of Men]

I knew he had a place somewhere around the Smoky Mountains in TN.  We were going to make a trip up their last year and I read something about "Cooter's Place".  I saw him in an interview once that he ran for state representative and won.  He said that when he served, they immediately appointed him to a "Transportation" committee thinking he was a mechanic. Talk about being type-casted.

Now you can go back to talking about transom savers.