Transom saver or not?

[Das Boot 3]

I had a transom saver on my last boat with a Yamaha F80 but the dealer says that my new Evinrude doesn't need one.
It has a "trailering bracket" supplied from the factory that supports the motor in a partially raised position for travel.
The dealer stated that a transom saver was "only if I felt like it, not necessary". My Yamaha (or the Merc before it) didn't have this piece of hardware on the tilt/trim bracket and I just don't know if I should be placing my trust in it over a saver mounted to the trailer.
Anyone have a 135/150/175 'Rude Ficht that is familar with this bracket and do you use a saver anyway?
Thanks
DB3

[REW]

Thousands of trailers and boats run all over the country with no transom savers.

Thousands of trailers and boat run all over the country with a transom saver installed.

A certain number of transoms have problems on each type of boat.
A certain number of motors have problems, due to transom saver damage every year - for some reason.

If it makes you feel better install one.
If it makes you feel better - leave it alone.
The trailering stop on your mtor will hold the motor in a good trailering position just fine.
It is "Possible" that a transom saver, will take some "sudden shock /pot hole transom damage - off the transom". But mayby not.

It is really how you feel about it.

Take care
REW

[Das Boot 3]

REW I am not worthy :)
I feel better about it now.
Thank You,
DB3

[johnny_spot]

Transom savers can do nothing but help. You are taking part of the weight of the motor off the transom and putting it onto the trailer directly. This helps especially on bumps or potholes in the road, when the trailer is bouncing up and down. The transom would normally take the whole weight of the motor, but with the transom saver, part of the punishment is shared by the trailer.

[Dave G]

Have someone else drive your rig (without the transom saver) over a rough road and you follow behind. Watch how the trailer member where you would attach a transom saver to bounces; at the same time watch how the motor itself bounces. Sometimes the trailer bounces a lot and the motor does not because the trailer suspension absorbs much of the shock or maybe the boat is not tightly lashed to the trailer. If this is the case for your rig, then a transom saver attached to the trailer could transmit all the shocks from the trailer to the motor. I think this would do more harm than good.

For the last 10 years I have used a small block of wood by the hydraulics to keep my motor in place.

Dave Gulczinski

[Dave in Mpls]

I am of the opinion that lower units and trailers were never meant to be joined together. I subscribe to the wood block theory myself.

[Mark N]

I had the built in transom saver on my last 150 FICHT and I wish my new Honda had it. I loved it, it was great.

[luredaddy]

Amen to the tried and true wood block, it brings me piece of mind, that is what is most important. I must admit, I only use it on long trips.

[Jethro]

"Transom savers can do nothing but help."
I've seen posts on this page about guys who crushed their lower unit with transom savers.

[Rewind]

I have a 150 Johnson Fast strike with the "built in" transom saver too ,how do you keep your motor from turning to the side whlie trailering?

[spartan]

If your boat is moving around that much on the trailer then, yes you could probably do some damage with a transom saver. But the boat shouldn't move around like that. If so you have a poorly fitted trailer, are driving like an idiot, or the boat needs to be secured to the trailer. I think a transom saver does more good than harm.

[mbrandt]

I have seen posts from folks claiming to have seen "crushed" lower units, but I have never seen a post from someone it actually happened too. I really would like to see a post from someone that actually had a motor damaged by a transom saver. Not that they heard of one, or saw one, but actually happened to them. It reminds me of the posts about VHF radios "blowing" out your GPS. Everyone claims to have heard about it, but no can say it actually happened to them.

Mark

[Rich]

Hi,
I have had a Transom saver on my boat for 14 years now and no defect in the paint from in at all.

This is the longer under the trailer to a mount type, sold all over.
You lock the motor in the v-padded holder with a bunge flat rubber stap and lower the tilt some more till the weight transfers to the trailer, very visiable change when the weight transfer happens.
Motor never tilts to the side, don't even think with if the strap broke it would even move because it locks down tight, no rocking on pot holes even.
I could not move my boat with out it, the motor can not even be lowered all the way down on the trailer it hits the ground and will lift the boat off the trailer.
Yes it is a long shaft on a deep v, it is set up properly.
Its on a shorelander 1820, very low to the ground.
This is the fifth trailer under this hull but still the same saver.
Motor has never hit the ground with it on , even throught 3 accidents and a twisted tounge, trailers 4 totaled, transom saver is still going strong.
The Transom is as soild as the day I got it.
But the rubber v-pad is now begining to break down, gonna need to replace it soon.
But I think I have gotten my moneys worth, it has protect the lower unit even in car wreaks.


Just wondering why so may on this site talk about problems with them, are you guys using a different type of saver.

My friend just had a heck of a time selling a boat he picked up cheap because the transom was damaged from the old owner trailer it with out one and the damage really shows. Aluminum is not goning to flex back and forth forever with out cracking. I can not think of any of the guys I know that don't use them, Fiber. or Alum.
Cheap insurance at $40 plus shipping.

I think that using a built in only would be a accident waiting for motor repairs and loss of resale value.
I think it would be more than $40 to get the parts to repair it your self.



Later, Rich

[Jack G]

When I bought my 1998 Lund Tyee with a 150 Johnson the salesman said absolutely that it was not necessary to use a transom saver. He said the trailering support bracket that was on the motor was all that was needed. I questioned him a bit further about this but he insisted a transom saver was not needed.

I am currently repairing transom damage which I am firmly convinced was caused by trailering without a transom saver. I trailer my boat at least 5,000 miles per year.

I am thinking about calling the dealership I bought the outfit from and telling the owner (who is great to do business with) that the acvice of his salesman was absolutely terrible and he should make sure that he does not give that advice again.

Use a transom saver!

Jack