transom saver or not?

[anchor man]

Are transom savers really necessary? What are some of the problems that may occur if they are not used? Does the transom bend, crack, break?? I have a 150hp on a 1700 Lund Fishermann. Haven't heard of too many transom problems and would prefer not to spend more money than needed for accessories, but if they are sustantially important I'll do it.

Thanks

[Ole1855]

Anchor Man,

IMHO, it's a very good investment, a motor that big weighs a lot and you don't want it bouncing all that weight on the transom while you're driving down the road.

Ole

[anchor man]

Ole,

I do agree that they are a good investment and I'm sure I'll end up getting one for my heavy motor. The part that I'm questioning is the fact that for so many years, you didn't see many transom savers and I was just curious if back then were there a lot more transom problems.

[Ole1855]

Well it seems that over the years motor size has increased, when I think back into the 70's, most of the boats I remember had 60 hp or less, now when you're on the water there's alot of boats with 150 or larger. That's my thoughts.

Ole

[leechlake]

when you go over a bump or a RR track you'll be happy you have it. I think they came with motor size, my dad forty years ago had a 16 foot larson fiberglass boat with a 40 horse and that thing was considered a rocket.

[andy j]

Personally I would put a transom saver on any motor I would ever have regardless of the size. They are reletively inexpensive, The motor moves around more then you would think with out one. I have seen rigs where guys put them on to loose. You want them to be on tight. Also bungie it so if it where to come loose, it wouldn't fall to the pavement.

[Hookmaster]

I think they became popular with the bigger motors and more importantly the lower trailers. With the low trailers you can't trailer with the motor in the down position. It has to be trimmed/tilted up. I have a transom saver because the Yamaha manual said to use one.

[Fisher Dave]

If you take a close look at a lot of older aluminum boats .. its a very common to have a crack in the aluminum on the very top of the transome in the center.. I have no doubt this is from trailering the boat. The transome gets hammered on bumpy roads with heavy motors especially (near max hp rating for any boat involved).

If you bend any piece of metal back and forth its eventually going to break.. A transom saver will greatly reduce the flex while trailering, and it is going to prolong the life of your transom.

I think its common sense to have one.. its just as justifyable(sp?) as having battery tie downs in the boat.. saves on the boat and battery(and reduces risk of short).

[CFRay]

Along the lines of this question, does anyone use the product, M-Y Wedge, instead of a traditional transom saver? I do not have any type of saver and am pondering what type to purchase. My trailer does not have a center roller. I'd have to use a bolted type of saver. The Wedge sets on the ram/tilt rod and provides a cushion at that point. Looks like it would stow easily. Anyone willing to share thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

[Steve Bakken]

On a brand new boat, I'm sure you could get by without it. However, what happens, is that the wood in the transom eventually gets damp, dry rots, etc., and then can no longer completely support the stresses put on it by the motor bouncing. We get dozens of transom jobs in our shop each year where the transom wasn't THAT bad, but because of not having a transom saver, the motor flexed the transom enough that it cracked and broke out the aluminum or fiberglass. Seeing what I see on a daily basis, it's probably the most money saving device you can buy for your boat. Otherwise you just may have to be paying a visit to us.

[rmh2o]

For what they cost it is pretty cheap insurance.