transom saver or block/wood

[Brian]

Which is better to use. A transom saver or go with a block of wood for motor support. I seem to recall a discussion awhile back about possible damage from transom savers.
Thanks!!

[Brian_MN]

Last year I asked the same question and got so many different opinions from folks on the board that I decided to go straight to the manufacturers and get their advice. I talked to Lund and Merc and they both told me the same thing: transom savers cause more damage than they prevent. Both manufacturers told me that the best thing to do was to relieve the pressure on the hydraulics by lowering the motor down on a block of wood and leave it at that.

[Dan]

I was wondering the same thing myself. I have always used a transom saver with no damage. What type of damage do they cause?

[Mike B. (OK)]

If and when your boat bounces on your trailer, even a little, the transom savers are pushing on the motor. A block of wood is the way to go. I bought my boat used from a PWT pro who used the wood block, and he is right.

[BC]

Brian what I have been doing is using the bracket that is mounted on my motor. A mechanic told me the savers are troble and just something extra to buy. Maybe the wood is "softer" on the hard bumps.

[Sluggo / NY]

Brian..I'm not an expert on this, but I've been using a transom saver for years with no problem. The type I use is a sleeved cylinder with a large spring around it so it works more like a shock absorber. I like this type better than the solid ones..I can see where they could create some stress. I don't recall the brand I've got, but if you want to know, I'll take a look and get back. Good Fishing, Sluggo

[kc]

This is interesting. I bought a Suzuki four stroke last year and the Suzuki owner's manual specifically recommends using a transom saver. The dealer also suggested adding a TS. I guess it depends on the engine manufacturer, but since Suzi recommends it, if I have any problems I will go to them. Of course, I don't expect any problems, since I have been using TS's for 15 years without incident.

[EO]

Hold on guys...
transom saver are really to benefit the boat more than the motor. as jackplates put more stress on the transom the saver is needed to reduce this stress. A wood block will do nothing is this case.
Horsepower is the next question I would ask, how much are we talking about?
Most motors under say 115 can be run in the full down or on the Mfg's tilt rest for trailering.
Trailering stress is the most abuse that a boat transom will undergo. keep that in mind hwen you think about not using a transom saver next time

[Gunga Din]

All these answers make me question how I'm doing things.

I use the Yamaha tilt rest to support my 200 when trailering, and a block of wood to support my 9.9 4-stroke (has an OMC trim/tilt) because it has no tilt rest. Is there any reason NOT to use the tilt rest for trailering? It had a TS installed when I bought it used, but it was dinging up the lower unit so I threw it away.

[eyewinder]

As with many topics that I've seen discussed during the past year or so (trailering with a cover, best anchor, etc.), it appears that there are advantages & disadvantages to each.
It would seem that the motor manufacturer would know best, but it appears that what is good for the motor many not be best for the boat (transom).
Even though sometimes it seems like my head may explode trying to figure out which approach makes the most sense, more information has got to be better!

Keep it comin'!
eyewinder

[Hans]

The thin aluminum shell surrounding the lower unit is not designed to absorb the "point" stresses of a transom-saver. I've seen three lower units penetrated (2 Merc, 1 OMC) by these things among my friends. DON'T USE EM!

--
"There is nothing; absolutely nothing; half so much worth doing,
as simply messing about in boats." :-)

[terrys]

I used a transom saver on my glass skeeter with a 115 mariner with no problems, if I remember right, the owners manual recommended it. The ts was one with the spring and not a solid one. I just bought a new tin boat with a 90 honda and am planning on using a ts. My neighbor uses a block of wood on his yarcraft with a 75 merc. Don't know if there is an absolute "right" answer.

[Scales&Tales]

Is there a way to use both without each canceling out the benefits of each other. Most good transom savers are adjustable so I'm wondering if you could let motor down on wood block and adjust transom saver so it is just snug on lower unit????