Transom Saver

Nomad · August 28, 2013, 05:49:59 PM

I know there's at least one other guy with a Crestliner boat that reads these forums and I'm wondering what you (or anyone else with a trailer like mine) are doing for a transom saver.

http://www.landinglunkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_2061.jpg

http://www.landinglunkers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/IMG_2062.jpg

sorry, I got an error when I tried to attach pics so I uploaded them to my blog...

When I first bought the boat, I had a friend with me who knows boats and he asked the dealer about supplying us with a transom saver and the dealer told us that with the trim lever (or whatever it's called, it's the swing-up lever on the left side of the motor), I wouldn't need a transom saver. Well, my friend found that a bit odd but we went with it...I happened to be going through my motor manual not too long ago to check something out and I found a paragraph which states NOT to tow the motor with only that lever as the support. Oh, and it's a 75HP Mercury 4-stroke.

When I took the boat to a local boat service center (not the dealer, LOL) to have my hot foot worked on, I mentioned needing a transom saver and after looking at the way my trailer is made, especially with that light bar in the way, they suggested I take the trailer to a local welding shop and have them weld a bracket and roller on there. That seems like a pain in the butt and I can't believe Crestliner didn't figure this all into the equation...

So, to make an already long story from being even longer, I'm curious if anyone else has a similar trailer and what you're doing for a transom saver. Thanks!

Ron Fogelson · August 28, 2013, 06:16:26 PM

Check out motormateusa.com talked with them a bunch at the FLW CUP, and they are an American made product.

Ron Fogelson · August 28, 2013, 06:19:03 PM

posted to soon the site shows 75-115 for a 2 stroke but you could contact them to see if they have anything for you.

CONTACT MOTORMATE USA
104 Domeno Dr
Swannanoa, NC 28778-2712

828-298-7464

Makaira76 · August 28, 2013, 06:49:05 PM

Nomad, I'm probably the guy with the Crestliner who post around here. Yes my boat is a 2013 Crestliner Fish Hawk 16.5". It comes with a 60hp Merc 4-stroke as I should have pay more and got the 90hp for $2,000 more. But anyways.

Your dealer is dead wrong about the motor is equipped with a built in transom saver. The swing up lever on the port side of your boat is only to hold up the motor during servicing the trim motor. It design to hold the motor up for servicing only. And whatever you do, do not engage the level during towing as the jarring from bumpy road, you will snap it right off.

My dealer told my boat doesn't need a transom saver since it's a small motor and it's fairly light. I think I have the same type trailer as you and I was looking around on how to install a transom saver for towing. Most of the roads/highway around here are pretty smooth but I still plan on getting one regardless. It's a piece of mind if I decided to go a little off roading launching my boat. I checked out a few transom saver and they look like they come with a pretty narrow bracket. My guess you would mount it right above your center running light and below the cross member on the frame. Guess I'll tackle this sometimes next week.

If you need anymore info or assistance shoot me a PM.

Nomad · August 29, 2013, 07:25:12 AM

I was also looking at this http://www.lock-n-haul.com/_index.php but although that does protect the motor and prevents the motor from moving, there is still the pressure on the transom itself. But I'm thinking that since the roads around here are pretty smooth, I could get away with something like this or what Ron posted above (I emailed them to see when they would have a product available for my motor).

fishinfranklin · August 29, 2013, 07:40:05 AM

In the package when you buy a transom saver there will be a little stub that will go right above your center light, you will not use the half hoop,,,you will slide the tube of the transom saver over it and put a pin in it. I will look and see I think I have one I can take a picture of and post.

Makaira76 · August 29, 2013, 11:50:32 AM

I think this is what you're referring to. The very left part.

fishinfranklin · August 29, 2013, 12:52:49 PM

Yes ,,that one works the same way as the type I was referring to, the one I seen had a alum block that bolted to the trailer with a little stub stick off it for the transom saver to slide over and be pinned.

Nomad · August 29, 2013, 12:59:18 PM

Hmmm...if you look at the pics in my first post, where would I mount that part? On the vertical part of the bar right above the lights? Not sure how that part is mounted to the trailer but it looks like it would involve drilling at an angle?

fishinfranklin · August 29, 2013, 07:18:00 PM

It would mount right above the center light with two screws here a link to the swivl eze ones at bass pro that says they come with the over the roller bracket and trailer bracket, copy and paste this link.
http://www.basspro.com/Swivl-Eze-Shock-EZE-Transom-Saver/product/20957/?cmCat=CROSSSELL_THUMBNAIL

Makaira76 · August 29, 2013, 07:25:20 PM

I went to Bass Pro today and looked around in the Marine section. None of the transom saver mentioned here would work on our boat and trailer. Being the light is in the way. Either 1 of 2 things. Fab something up to mount the bar against the cross member or relocate the light elsewhere, lower it, or remove it completely.

fishinfranklin · August 29, 2013, 10:15:34 PM

this is one that mounts to the trailer like I was trying to describe

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bonerfortuna · August 30, 2013, 06:58:01 AM

Nomad I have a Lowes which is almost the same I also use a Transom Saver like the one pictured for my 60 4 stroke. You just have to keep it loaded and it works great. Hopefully the picture works and you can see it.

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jonboy · August 30, 2013, 06:31:51 PM

Here is what I have. Its simulare to one of the others but a little diffrent

Nomad · August 30, 2013, 06:37:27 PM

Until I can figure out what to do with a real transom saver, I went ahead and ordered that lock-n-haul product. I'm a little hesitant about having someone weld on the trailer because that means I'll have to leave the boat (sort of ) unattended at the local marina...I don't think I'd want them welding on the trailer with the boat on there, not with 24 gallons of gas right above, and the chance of sparks flying onto the carpeting. Thanks for all the replies and suggestions!

Makaira76 · August 30, 2013, 07:01:28 PM

Jonboy, that's a neat idea but the purpose of a transom saver is to support the outboard against the crossmember of the trailer. What you are doing is still putting stress on the transom itself when trailering. You just reduce the chance of the trim if it ever goes out you won't crash the outdrive against the highway at speed.

jonboy · August 30, 2013, 07:22:08 PM

I agree, Its not the best deal but it does reduce the torque on the transom by redistributing the pressure to a lower angle. For someone that lives relitivly close to the launch and dont want to mark up thier foot with conventional type savers, its not a bad option.

fishinfranklin · August 30, 2013, 07:38:16 PM

Nomad there will be no welding needed. You drill two small holes and use screws to attach the stub to the trailer. I allways put some marine sealant in the holes before I put the screws in. DO not waste your money on a lock and haul,, get a good one that will support the engine the 1st time.

Bobby Saffel · August 30, 2013, 07:49:00 PM

An Atwood transom saver has a U shaped piece that has a bolt home in the center that you bolt to the trailer. The transom saver has hole on the trailer end and a pin goes through the U bracket and secures the transom saver. I used it for years in my johnboat. I got mine at Walmart