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Author Topic:   Transom Support for Trailering

irishcreamer posted 09-23-2008 04:54 PM ET (US)
I have an 1989 [unrecognized acronym] 18 with a 150-HP OptiMax. I need to trailer the boat some 2,000 miles and want to ensure the engine and transom are properly supported. I have asked around the local shops and there is a lack of consensus on what best to do. The leading suggestions are:
--trailer with engine in down position
--use flip down support on engine mount
--put trim engine down on 2x4
--support bar between engine and trailer
Please help.
Thank you.
BlueMax posted 09-23-2008 05:04 PM ET (US)
In short: m-y wedge!
Find the one right for you here and never wonder or worry again:
http://www.m-ywedge.com/
sapple posted 09-23-2008 05:23 PM ET (US)
This topic has been discussed many times. If you do a search you will find a lot of information and passionate debate.
When I looked into this I also found no consensus with strongly held opinions in every direction. Opinions range from yes, transom support is necessary, to it is not necessary, to it can actually do more harm than good.
On two occasions (with two different boats) I asked my dealer and they felt that support devices were not necessary. They do, however, recommend against trimming the motor all the way down. They suggest trimming the motor up just enough to avoid a skeg strike.
pglein posted 09-23-2008 06:50 PM ET (US)
When I bought my boat in Sacramento, CA, the seller had Transom-Savers installed on both engines. To be polite, I left them on when I pulled out of his driveway. But the first time I stopped, I removed them, and they haven't been on there since. I feel that they provide nothing of value on an engine with power trim and a built-in trailer lock, and only serve to make launching more difficult and risk potential damage to the lower unit when you hit bumps.
elaelap posted 09-23-2008 08:55 PM ET (US)
No brainer for me, since all three of my personal (as opposed to partnership) Whalers have had new Yamaha four stroke motors of various sizes. The manuals for each motor advise using transom savers when towing, so I do--one of those adjustable aluminum bars where one end rests over the aft roller on the trailer and which has a rubber-padded crutch which the bottom unit of the motor rests in when tilted down maybe 45 degrees from horizontal. Doesn't take thirty seconds to take off or put on, using the trim/tilt switch on the motor itself.
Tony
Chuck Tribolet posted 09-24-2008 03:35 PM ET (US)
Read what the engine manufacturer puts in the engine owner's
manual.
Some trailers (mine) have the aft cross member WAY under the
boat and "transom savers" just won't work.
In general (YMMV) tipping the engine up moves the CG of the
engine forward and OVER the transom. This is good.

Chuck
Bella con23 posted 09-24-2008 03:51 PM ET (US)
I agree Chuck. In addition to that I run a rachet strap fron the skeg to the trailer to keep the outboard from bouncing.
Joe
Tohsgib posted 09-25-2008 11:03 AM ET (US)
It is called a transom saver, not an engine saver. If I had an inferior boat I would worry about the transom and possibly use one, with a Whaler I see no such need. If my engine did not have PTnT to hold it steady I might use one if I could not safely clear the ground with engine fully down. Other than that I see no need for them and MANY trailers(especially alum) do not allow them to be used anyways.

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Author	Topic: Transom Support for Trailering
irishcreamer	posted 09-23-2008 04:54 PM ET (US) I have an 1989 [unrecognized acronym] 18 with a 150-HP OptiMax. I need to trailer the boat some 2,000 miles and want to ensure the engine and transom are properly supported. I have asked around the local shops and there is a lack of consensus on what best to do. The leading suggestions are: --trailer with engine in down position --use flip down support on engine mount --put trim engine down on 2x4 --support bar between engine and trailer Please help. Thank you.
BlueMax	posted 09-23-2008 05:04 PM ET (US) In short: *m-y wedge*! Find the one right for you here and never wonder or worry again: http://www.m-ywedge.com/
sapple	posted 09-23-2008 05:23 PM ET (US) This topic has been discussed many times. If you do a search you will find a lot of information and passionate debate. When I looked into this I also found no consensus with strongly held opinions in every direction. Opinions range from yes, transom support is necessary, to it is not necessary, to it can actually do more harm than good. On two occasions (with two different boats) I asked my dealer and they felt that support devices were not necessary. They do, however, recommend against trimming the motor all the way down. They suggest trimming the motor up just enough to avoid a skeg strike.
pglein	posted 09-23-2008 06:50 PM ET (US) When I bought my boat in Sacramento, CA, the seller had Transom-Savers installed on both engines. To be polite, I left them on when I pulled out of his driveway. But the first time I stopped, I removed them, and they haven't been on there since. I feel that they provide nothing of value on an engine with power trim and a built-in trailer lock, and only serve to make launching more difficult and risk potential damage to the lower unit when you hit bumps.
elaelap	posted 09-23-2008 08:55 PM ET (US) No brainer for me, since all three of my personal (as opposed to partnership) Whalers have had new Yamaha four stroke motors of various sizes. The manuals for each motor advise using transom savers when towing, so I do--one of those adjustable aluminum bars where one end rests over the aft roller on the trailer and which has a rubber-padded crutch which the bottom unit of the motor rests in when tilted down maybe 45 degrees from horizontal. Doesn't take thirty seconds to take off or put on, using the trim/tilt switch on the motor itself. Tony
Chuck Tribolet	posted 09-24-2008 03:35 PM ET (US) Read what the engine manufacturer puts in the engine owner's manual. Some trailers (mine) have the aft cross member WAY under the boat and "transom savers" just won't work. In general (YMMV) tipping the engine up moves the CG of the engine forward and OVER the transom. This is good. Chuck
Bella con23	posted 09-24-2008 03:51 PM ET (US) I agree Chuck. In addition to that I run a rachet strap fron the skeg to the trailer to keep the outboard from bouncing. Joe
Tohsgib	posted 09-25-2008 11:03 AM ET (US) It is called a transom saver, not an engine saver. If I had an inferior boat I would worry about the transom and possibly use one, with a Whaler I see no such need. If my engine did not have PTnT to hold it steady I might use one if I could not safely clear the ground with engine fully down. Other than that I see no need for them and MANY trailers(especially alum) do not allow them to be used anyways.