---

I know it's an old debate, but I’ll ask anyway.

My Nauset with a 88SPL rides pretty low on the trailer; so low that I must have the motor tilted to to avoid hitting the skeg while driving. To this point I have run a transom saver, but the dang thing is a pain to put on and take off, and has popped loosed from the frame a couple times now.

The motor has no tilt or trim so it either goes all the way locked up, or all the way down. It seems either one is not best for the transom, so I got the saver, but that is not ideal either.

What are guys using?

---

I'm using a transom saver. Like you, my motor is either all the way up or all the way down as I have only manual tilt. You are right, installing and removing the TS is a pain in the butt however I feel it's a necessary evil and needs to be done with our applications. How on earth did your TS pop loose from the trailer frame? My TS has a pin with a safety loop on it that prevents it from popping off the frame.

---

I use a transom saver on my 13 Sport. My 30 Evinrude has no T&T. Pin attachment at trailer frame, and strong bungee on the engine end keeps the motor secure.

---

Tansom saver is a must. Mine has the pin with safety loop like CES as well. The base is throughbolted to the trailer. Rubber bungee over the lower unit. Works great and about 10 seconds of insurance thats well worth it.

---

Does any one use or have experience with these folk and this type of saver?

http://www.m-ywedge.com/


Still awaiting the completion of my Dauntless - it's an eternity

---

I have trailered my Montauk and now Outrage 17 for 6 years. My boats have both sat low, inside the wheels. I have made long trips and have never used a transom saver.

I do not like anchoring the engine to the trailer. It causes additional stress on transom.

If you need support, you can make a wedge out of 2x6 with cutouts for the bracket. Just remember to tie it off to the transom so you don't loose it if it bounces loose.

The "tilt support bracket" on almost every outboard is not a trailering bracket and should not be used this way. If you look at the engine manual, it will say it is for supporting the motor while not in use.

I have seen a few guys arrive at the ramp to find their bracket had bent in transit and they could not raise the motor enough to clear the bent bracket.

---

Phil T, you've got my attention. Please explain?

---

Some engines require a transom saver to support the lower unit and power head from bouncing around.

Some engines have their own built in trailering bracket which is slightly different from the transom saver but does the job quite well on paved roads.
The reason I mention paved roads is some people travel on rough roads that are not paved and should probably have a stronger trailer and also a transom saver.

I had one on one of my Whalers that had a Mercury on the transom. I really don't like to use transom savers unless I have to.
The Whaler I have owned with OMC motors, I do not use a transom saver.
The newer OMC motors from 1996 on have a great engine bracket that really locks into place when trailering giving support at the tilt pin and the lower engine bracket.

If your engine manufacturer recommends a transom saver then I would use one. If you feel your engine is bouncing around too much then I would also use one.

---

The standard argument is "it transmits road shock to the motor and thus puts stress on the transom."

---

I used one on my 13 with a late model Merc 40 due to additional weight. Was a pain to put on but kept motor from flexing the transome. It wasn't rigid to the trailer so I don't think it added stress to transom. The bracket on the late model Johnson is very sturdy.

---

I've been using a block of wood on my 60hp Merc. I trailer for hundreds of miles at a time and always figured it was fine. It's way solid with the PTT clamped down on the wood.

But, I've been noticing the stress cracks around my transom on the inside of the hull are getting pretty big. Not sure if it's from trailering or from jumping waves!

I'm rigging a 90 Nissan right now. The aftermarket service manual says very clearly to use a transom bracket, so I will. But I'll also make sure my straps are always tight so the boat and trailer bounce around together as much as possible.

---

Tedious explained what I was saying.

The subject of a transom saver is similar to that of a hydrofoil or whale tale. Some espouse they are necessary for certain conditions while others say if they are truly necessary, why wouldn't the marine outboard manufacturers include them or change the anti-cavitation plate design.

If was to add something to help reduce the shock on the motor, it would be something like a m-y wedge. This would provide support via the engine bracket and transom.

I saw a homemade version of the m-y wedge from a Outrage 25WD owner. A vertical roller drilled out and sleeved with PVC, cut to length. Cost him ~$30 for 4 since he has twins.

I would be interested in hearing what other brands say in their owner's manuals regarding the tilt support bracket. Maybe that should be a separate thread.

---

I was very pleased with the m-y wedge on my recent trailer trips from the MA to ME. I would post a pic here if I could figure out how to do it ;-)

---

I use a m-y wedge too. http://www.m-ywedge.com/order.htm/order.htm

---

My TS is not a pin type; I cannot find one locally at all. It is one of those stupid roller mount versions. I have to literally tie the dang thing to the roller to get it to stay put. Coming back from Bodega this last weekend, it popped out of the roller and the only thing that kept it from digging in to the road was that rope, which kept it tied to the frame of the trailer but kicked over at an angle.

I’m not against using it if it helps, but I wonder if it does. A big bump in the road does seem to get transmitted to the motor when the TS is used, but then again the boat and motor are on the same frame.

Really do not know if OMC said to use a TS in 1990, anyone know?