James_D
Well-Known Member
Can anyone please give me any details on making a transom saver for towing? how and where it should be positioned etc, boat is 15.5ft and engine is 40hp. thank you. JBD
Home made transom saver.
- Thread starter James_D
- Start date
mainshiptom
Well-Known Member
What is a transom saver?
Tom
Tom
rickp
Well-Known Member
Major Catastrophe
Well-Known Member
I was hoping for a response as well, as I could do with a transom saver.
I am not sure a home made one would really take the strain between the engine and the trailer.
I am not sure a home made one would really take the strain between the engine and the trailer.
BarryH
Well-Known Member
Have a look at www.craysidemarine.co.uk They do some in stainless which look tough
BarryH
Well-Known Member
Forgot to add, look under the "stainless" heading
BarryH
Well-Known Member
ah ok, read the original post, seems a bit pointless to me as the loading on the transom is far more when your bashing thru and cresting waves. Prop in air prop bites......
On the other hand "read the road".....pah! I dunno, car drivers.........
On the other hand "read the road".....pah! I dunno, car drivers.........
Major Catastrophe
Well-Known Member
Not sure I agree with that. When trailering, the engine, in my case is at 45 degrees to the vertical and whilst driving it bounces up and down putting a strain on the transom. We are talking about 90 horse, which is quite weighty. I have an additional problem that I cannot lock the engine in this position because the design of the boat does not allow the engine to raise high enough to slip the lock catch, so the engine is relying on the piston to take the weight, as well as the piece of wood I jam in there.
I just checked your link. The transom guard is not the correct item. It is a spring dampened rod which fixes to the back of the trailer and then to the the back of the engine.
I just checked your link. The transom guard is not the correct item. It is a spring dampened rod which fixes to the back of the trailer and then to the the back of the engine.
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
what make model engine and leg. I've never seen mine bounce, tho have to say only trailered it a couple of times
BarryH
Well-Known Member
If you can't raise the engine to the fully up position I'd be more worried about the trim rams and their seals etc. Don't like the idea of the gizmo in your pic to much cos if the boat moves a tad on the trailer, and they all do a smidge, then the bottom of the engine is held in place.
Opens up all manner of probs really when you think about it. I'd look at some collars that go round the trim ram rods so the weight of the engine can be taken off the rams while towing.
Easy enough to fabricate a bracket that connects to the transom clamp and gearcase to take the strain. My school of thought is that the engine should be connected to the boat and the boat only. I've towed all our boats and the worse one was a fletcher with a 115hp straight six Merc. The physical height of the engine and a ski pole meant that I couldn't tilt it up fully. A couple of hours in the workshop had a natty little bracket knocked up to stop all movement. It was easier doing that than keep replacing the trim ram seals, not to mention cheaper.
Towed that boat all over the place and never had probs with transom weakness. As far as I know its still going strong 10 years later.
Opens up all manner of probs really when you think about it. I'd look at some collars that go round the trim ram rods so the weight of the engine can be taken off the rams while towing.
Easy enough to fabricate a bracket that connects to the transom clamp and gearcase to take the strain. My school of thought is that the engine should be connected to the boat and the boat only. I've towed all our boats and the worse one was a fletcher with a 115hp straight six Merc. The physical height of the engine and a ski pole meant that I couldn't tilt it up fully. A couple of hours in the workshop had a natty little bracket knocked up to stop all movement. It was easier doing that than keep replacing the trim ram seals, not to mention cheaper.
Towed that boat all over the place and never had probs with transom weakness. As far as I know its still going strong 10 years later.
Major Catastrophe
Well-Known Member
Yes, I can see your point about the boat/engine being a seperate entity to the trailer.
I have just taken this picture out of the window.
To the left of the fuel filler cap there is a well. The engine hits the back wall of this well when lifted, but that is not high enough to engage the catch to hold the engine's weight, so when driving, the strain is being taken by the trim ram and the resulting 'bounce' by the transom itself.
At the moment I jam a peice of wood between the leg and the bracket, but it is not an ideal solution.
I must admit you have pursuaded me not to get a transom saver as the movement between the boat and trailer is probably too much.
I will look at making a bracket to replace the peice of wood.
Apologies to James_D for highjacking the thread.
I have just taken this picture out of the window.
To the left of the fuel filler cap there is a well. The engine hits the back wall of this well when lifted, but that is not high enough to engage the catch to hold the engine's weight, so when driving, the strain is being taken by the trim ram and the resulting 'bounce' by the transom itself.
At the moment I jam a peice of wood between the leg and the bracket, but it is not an ideal solution.
I must admit you have pursuaded me not to get a transom saver as the movement between the boat and trailer is probably too much.
I will look at making a bracket to replace the peice of wood.
Apologies to James_D for highjacking the thread.
James_D
Well-Known Member
Many thanks everyone for information, between ignorance on PC and problems with Health I was not able to get original posting, reason for posting again, will advise how I deal with issue. JBD
