Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by Alphonse on 01/25/10 - 10:59 AM

I have a new 90 HP Mercury 4 stroke and am wondering if I need a transom saver or not. The engine has an engine a built in support bracket which can be used by letting the engine down on it when lowering the trim. The rotates out of the way when not being used. The dealer tech said that this bracket was adequate for trailering.

I know some other folks who use a motor stabilizer on the same engine. What do you think?

Posted by Phil T on 01/25/10 - 11:59 AM

Read the owners manual for the engine. Some manufacturer's have a bracket for servicing the engine only.

Personally, I would not use the bracket or a transom saver. A transom saver type product locks the engine to the trailer, not the boat, a bad idea in my opinion.

Get yourself a 2x4 or 2x6 block across the bracket and lower the engine down. Drill a hole on each end of the block and tie it off to the boat so you will not loose it.

Another alternative is a M-Y Wedge type product

Edited by Phil T on 01/25/10 - 12:01 PM

Posted by Alphonse on 01/25/10 - 12:26 PM

The manual says you need to use an external support. The technician said not to worry about it. I am leaning toward a support like this one (got a tip on this from another Whaler owner):

http://reviews.basspro.com/2010/37340...eviews.htm

Edited by Joe Kriz on 01/26/10 - 3:59 PM

Posted by Phil T on 01/25/10 - 12:50 PM

One consideration is having the motor as close to vertical as practical. Tilting out more than necessary changes the center of gravity and adds stress.

My boat sits inside the wheels and down on my trailer low {Link to my setup} so I have to tilt up more than a boat that sits on top of the wheels.

Posted by Alphonse on 01/25/10 - 2:53 PM

Phil,
My trailer is a Karavan that came from the factory with the boat and the boat does sit low in the trailer by design. By the way, that is my preference since it makes it more stable behind the tow vehicle. Bottom line I must tilt the motor to trailer the boat or it will drag.

Posted by DWinter on 01/26/10 - 2:50 AM

You do not need external support for that engine on a Whaler. Old Bayliner maybe. Can I inquire as to which manual told you to use a support. The engine support bracket is fine. I'm pretty familiar with the Boat and engine manuals for that boat and I don't recall reading that recommendation.

Posted by Alphonse on 01/26/10 - 6:26 AM

The Mercury manual says trailer with the motor as upright as possible. The only mention of the support bracket is for maintenance type activities (don't remember exactly but I believe it was related to disabling the hydraulic cylinder and changing fluid.) By the way, the manual is not the best.

Posted by number9 on 01/26/10 - 6:43 AM

The manual does say to provide additional support.

Trailering Boat/Outboard
Trailer your boat with the outboard tilted down in a vertical
operating position.
If additional ground clearance is required, the outboard should be tilted up using an accessory outboard support device. Refer to your local dealer for recommendations. Additional clearance may be required for railroad crossings, driveways, and trailer bouncing.
IMPORTANT: Do not rely on the power trim/tilt system or tilt
support lever to maintain proper ground clearance for trailering.
The outboard tilt support lever is not intended to support the
outboard for trailering.

Edited by number9 on 01/26/10 - 6:46 AM

Posted by Johnhenry on 01/26/10 - 6:46 AM

A block of 2x4 will surfice. I have the same motor. I do not trailer with motor tilted all the way down, Thin side of 2x4 brings it off the ground far enough for clearance.

Posted by DWinter on 01/26/10 - 3:52 PM

#11

Can I ask which manual that statement came from. It just sounds kinda generic to me. We've towed boats with much heavier engines at 70 mph on rough highways for years with no adverse effects. That statement sounds more like a "Cover your Butt" liability thing than it seems to relate to real life. You routinely put much heavier stresses on your transom when running your boat thru rough seas than towing it even if it seems the stress angle would be different. If I had a 250HP Mercury Verado on a smaller bass boat, I'd be more concerned, but that size Merc 4 stroke on a Whaler should not worry you.

Posted by number9 on 01/26/10 - 7:40 PM

#13

The info came from the current Mercury 75/90/115 Four Stoke Ops/Owners manual. That's what the manual says. As it was said before in post technicians may advise differently. SOP may be different but if it should fail who's going to pay for the repair? Remember the tilt lock could fail. If just tilted up the only thing holding the motor is a 20 cent o-ring.

Posted by DWinter on 01/27/10 - 4:59 AM

#14

I understand your concerns and I'm will read that manual when I get to the shop this morning just to make sure I am up to date. That is apparently something I missed and I'm sure can cause confusion and concerns with new owners. That being said, I've got a little time in the industry and I can honestly say I've never hear of either o-ring blowing or bracket failing and causing damage during towing let alone both happening at the same time. But then again I had a shipmate lose his life to a lightning strike while riding a motorcycle across the Monitor Merrimac Bridge Tunnel, so "stuff happens". Like I tell new owners on boat deliveries, If it makes you more comfortable and makes your boating experience more enjoyable, do it. (And yes the lightning strike statement is unfortunatlely very true.)

Posted by Alphonse on 01/27/10 - 7:40 AM

#15

Update:
Took boat out yesterday and made a couple of observations:

To engage the support bracket you raise the engine to almost highest position. You then flip bracket up and then lower motor on to it.

The bracket deflects when loaded. This is partially due to the cylinder putting downforce on it as well as weight of the engine.

I have decided to buy the support from Basspro. It is substantial and will be a good solution. As suggested, a 2x4 would work too but it would not satisfy my perfectionist tendencies!