Trans saver or factory motor support?

[Chadc77]

Guys,
I have a '04 Johnson with the factory motor support. Do I need to use a trans. saver or is the motor support ok?

[wecker20]

there was a topic just the other day about this. Use whatever you prefer. I prefer the transom saver cause it just seems like it would take any weight off the back and it keeps the motor from turning. The factory installed one is faster and my buddy uses his all the time. No problems w/ either motors/transom.

[PJCodner]

I have a 99 Johnson 200 and I use the motor mount when I am going to the lake near by (4 blocks) but when I go out of town I use a transom saver. Never know if I will be hitting a pot hole or what.

[ProcraftMike]

Someone on here even indicated at one time that they use both systems, which probably is not a bad idea, if you have a long trip to make.

I have tried the motor bracket, but depending on my jackplate height, I don't feel that it gets my lower unit high enough off the ground. Now, I don't need anymore lower unit problems. I had enough already!

[RUSTY63]

This is one of those......ask 10 different people, get 10 different answers kind of question.

[aquasonic]

I usually use both since I don't seem to know how to drive and have road rage (according to my wife) I customized the transom saver to where it holds the motor bracket 1/8" off the "stops" so if my transom saver fails the motor will still rest on the trailering bracket.

[DoferGofer]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RUSTY63 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">This is one of those......ask 10 different people, get 10 different answers kind of question. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yep, c'spose yer right. However, I don't have an answer but, have another question.

What protects the transom or take the weight off the transom, when the boat is in the water and the engine is turning 5000 rpms in choppy water?

[ProcraftMike]

The motor for the most part is located above the transom, so the forces are getting exerted mainly downward when you run the boat. When you are trailering, the motor acts like a teeter totter, since it is tilted, which is why you need some type of support.

Forces are exerted on the transom, no matter how you look at it. But, I beleive the forces are much greater when the motor is tilted up for trailering than when yu are running the boat down the lake.

[Roddy]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ProcraftMike &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The motor for the most part is located above the transom, so the forces are getting exerted mainly downward when you run the boat. When you are trailering, the motor acts like a teeter totter, since it is tilted, which is why you need some type of support.

Forces are exerted on the transom, no matter how you look at it. But, I beleive the forces are much greater when the motor is tilted up for trailering than when yu are running the boat down the lake.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Mike how can the force of your engine lifting the bow of the boat when you run down the lake be mostly down. The motor/prop thrust is producing a whole lot of leveraged force on the transom when you trim her up. Just seems to me that your thoughts on this one might be backwards. I could be wrong ,I remember I was at least once before.

[DoferGofer]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RoddyRude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Mike how can the force of your engine lifting the bow of the boat when you run down the lake be mostly down. The motor/prop thrust is producing a whole lot of leveraged force on the transom when you trim her up. Just seems to me that your thoughts on this one might be backwards. I could be wrong ,I remember I was at least once before. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yup! Seems about the same to me, leess da expence of dem new fangle money grabbing tricky thangs.

[PJCodner]

The way I look at it a transom saver is less than $40. That is a pretty cheap investment if it helps to save your transom from cracking and such.
You know what if you didn't use one and then one day your transom started to crack what then? If you took your boat in to get fixed and they asked why you don't use a transom saver what would you say?

It is purely a personal preference but they don't make them just for looks that's for sure.

[Roddy]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MNJAVELIN &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

It is purely a personal preference but they don't make them just for looks that's for sure.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Your right there, like everthing else made, they make them to turn a profit.

[ProcraftMike]

Gofer and Roddy,

Now that I think about it, you are correct in that the motor is trying to pull the top of the transom down and away and push the bottom of the transom in, when running down the lake. But, I don't think you get the bouncing motion that you get when it is on the trailer, tilted at the greater angle.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I put a lot more highway miles on my boat than I do water miles. Fatigue over time is probably a big cause of transom failures, so whatever support that can be provided during highway travel will surely lengthen the life of the transom.

If you want to shorten the life of your transom, hang a Verada on the back .

[ProcraftMike]

Actually, I think the nut behind the wheel is what protects the transom when running accross the lake.

[Roddy]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ProcraftMike &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Actually, I think the nut behind the wheel is what protects the transom when running accross the lake.</TD></TR></TABLE>
If thats the case, mine would have cracked years ago.

[GaryL]

I think that most of the newer boats have a composite construction and come with a lifetime warranty, and I think most are unconditional. I put at least 25K miles on a year on some pretty bad roads and have not had any issues as yet. I only use the builtin support and also use motor stoppers that keep the motor straight.

If the transum can take the force of a 250 HP motor in very rough water it can surely handle bouncing down a bumppy road. (I think)

[RUSTY63]

I knew this post would get a few different ideas posted.

There was a study a few years back to see what the force on the transom would be with a V-6 outboard running at full speed across a nice chop, I can not post the findings (Sorry I don't have permission) but I can say that it was WAY more than the outboard hanging on the boat being trailered.

Think of it this way, a 2006 225HO E-Tec weighs 509 pounds, running down the lake it still weighs 509 pounds but now it has the pull and push on the transom of a 28 RakerII turning 5600 to 5800 RPM's, that's alot of stress.

[Roddy]

Rusty, we're big boys and friends, it won't get ugly.

[DoferGofer]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RoddyRude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Rusty, we're big boys and friends, it won't get ugly. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yep, and I am to old to get upset.

[RUSTY63]

That didn't look right when I read it so I changed it.