Transom Saver For Lower Unit

[Skinner24]

I was curious about getting a transom saver for my 08' 205 Sport. Would anyone recommend one and if so where can I purchase it? Is it something that I need or am I over cautious? Thanks for all replies.

 

[Nehalennia]

What is it?

 

[Kurt]

I think he is refering to one of those bar supports from the outdrive to the trailer. I suppose they keep the outdrive from falling to the ground if the trim fails while driving. I bet you can pick one up from Bass Pro Shops. In regards to being to cautious, if it makes you feel better do it.

 

[Morpheus]

I've only ever seen these used on outboards, wonder if there is a reason.

 

[Nehalennia]

Kurt, yeah I know what those are but I didn't think they were called transom savers.

I see them called trailering clips, but they're under the "transom saver" section on this site.
http://www.wholesalemarine.com/pc/S...om+Savers/Trailering+Clips+(Alpha-Bravo).html

 

[Kurt]

Outboards have some sort of angle elevation adjustment bar or whatever you call it. I guess it could shear if you crossed some serious bumps or railroad tracks? Maybe? My dad had one when I was a kid on the bass boat. I remember the outboard bouncing if it was not on.

 

[tginz]

Yes, I would recommend the trailering arms on the tilt cylinders. I found that my Bravo III would work all the way to the portside after starting out dead center with just a short amount of trailering. (75 miles). With the drive up, if you lift up with some muscle you can get a little play in the lift cylinders, even on brand new units. While trailering, the lower unit actually bangs up and down causing it to hop to one side. Not good for the cylinders. I now install trailering clips and snug the unit a 1/4 to 1/2 inch down against them. The lower unit does not move an inch side to side.

 

[brad10281]

Here's a story for ya. I own the outboard version of the 185 sport. One day I was trailering the boat to Lake St. Clair for Aquapalooza (about an 80 mile drive). On the way there I remember looking in the rearview mirror and panic struck in for a couple seconds...I noticed that the motor did not look right but then convinced myself that it was fine. I had the boat for 3 years and never used any kind of support for the motor...anyways, when I got to the ramp I realized that my first instinct of the motor not looking right in the rearview mirror was right. Fortunately for me I had tilted the outboard all the way up and engaged the little support bracket. This bracket is not meant for trailering but it saved my outboard from falling to the ground. Instead, it fell into the "well" (not sure what else to call it) in front of the outboard and was bouncing up and down on the fiberglass well. There is a pin that connects the outboard to the power trim that had fallen out on the way to the lake. Now normally I only trim the outboard up enough to clear the road and any obstructions that may be in it...if I would have trailered it that way on that particular day it would have fallen to the road and I would have been dragging the skeg at 70mph down the expressway. I went out a couple days later and bought myself a transom saver for $40 from my dealer. I also learned to carry a couple extra pins with me in case it happens again...especially when I'm out on the water.

Any extra support for your lower unit cannot be a bad thing and if it adds piece of mind then I say go for it.