Outboard transom savers are essential components for boaters seeking to preserve the integrity of their outboard motors and prolong the lifespan of their vessels. These sturdy devices provide crucial support when trailering boats, preventing undue strain on the transom and motor, particularly during bumpy rides. By mitigating excessive bouncing and vibrations, transom savers minimize the risk of transom cracks and motor mount damage. They come in adjustable designs to accommodate various outboard motor sizes and are typically constructed from robust materials like steel or high-strength composites, ensuring secure attachment. Easy installation and removal make them convenient for boaters, while their cost-effectiveness compared to potential repair expenses underscores their value. Outboard transom savers are a smart investment for any boat owner looking to safeguard their equipment and enjoy extended boating adventures.
What is a transom saver?
A boat transom saver is a device that helps lessen stress on a boat’s transom when the boat with an outboard motor is being trailered. Its heavy-duty head securely holds the engine and reliably supports it during transport.
How do boat transom savers work?
They’re generally made from steel or aluminum and they’re attached to the transom of a boat, clamp down on an engine’s transom well bolts on its other side.
This allows for even distribution of weight across both the boat and its tow vehicle while traveling over bumpy terrains such as gravel roads, harsh turns, or potholes – which can lead to major damage if not handled with care.
How to use a transom saver for outboard motor support?
It’s important to attach transom savers securely before starting a journey with your boat. The transom should be placed on the tow vehicle and then the head should be clamped down in place, securing it from all directions.
To make sure that everything is secure enough during travel, check periodically for any sign of loosening or slipping which may cause damage if not attended to right away. If you see any warning signs like this while traveling, tighten bolts more or even add rope around them as needed so they don’t come loose and slip off during transit.
Transom savers for outboard motor support are essential when transporting boats over long distances because there is no other way to keep transoms stable without potentially causing serious damage.
Types of transom savers
Transom saver rods
They provide transoms with a space to rest in for protection. They are typically made of steel and they attach to the transom’s bolts on one side while being clamped down by a “slip-on” transom rod clamp on the other. This design allows for an even distribution of weight across both the boat and its tow vehicle when traveling over bumpy terrains such as gravel roads or potholes.
They should be attached securely so that you can have peace of mind throughout.
Transom saver rods are typically made of steel, but they can also be aluminum if lighter weight is desired.
Trim hydraulic wedge
Trim transom saver wedges are an excellent choice for boats with transoms that have a small angle to the ground. This wedge is designed so it can be driven under the transom and then lifted up by hydraulic power to fit snugly over its opening.
Transom clamping systems are made of aluminum or steel alloys – strong enough materials which will protect against damage during transport. Lower profile transoms may need some type of padding underneath them while they’re being transported.
Lock’n’Stow transom saver
It’s an innovative device that secures your outboard engine in a forward position while the boat is being towed, eliminating damage to the engine from road shock. It eliminates scuff marks by not tying it down to the trailer and can be installed quickly on most boats.
What is the best type of boat transom saver?
The transom saver bracket that’s best for you will depend on the type of boat being transported, the terrain it will be traveling over as well as your budget.
You’ll need to make sure any model is compatible with both the tow vehicle and also the transom opening – so pay close attention to measurements before purchasing anything.
Most transoms have a variety of bolt holes which allow people versatility when it comes to installing them securely onto boats. This is especially important since they should not be loose in order to avoid damage during travel. Usually, this means tightening bolts until they’re tight enough and won’t loosen up at all during transit.
What size of boat motor transom saver do I need?
The boat motor transom saver that you’ll need to purchase is what size your transoms are. You can find transom sizes listed in the specifications on many boats – or just measure them yourself with a ruler.
The length of the transom saver is usually adjustable and varies from 24 to 36 inches.
How do I benefit from a transom saver?
They’re helpful for transoms of all sizes. They’re meant to be attached securely on the transom and then they will evenly distribute weight across both the boat and its tow vehicle when traveling over bumpy terrains such as gravel roads or potholes.
Transom clamps, transom wedges, transom pads, and transom saver rods provide protection against any damage that could occur during transport.
It’s important to attach a transom saver prior to starting a journey with your boat in order to avoid accidents like transoms breaking off or transom brackets being bent.
These products are made of steel and these attach to the transom’s bolts on one side while being clamped down by a “slip-on” transom rod clamp, which is aluminum, on the other.
What are the drawbacks of boat transom savers?
Hydraulic Wedges should be used with transoms that have a small angle to the ground. They’re not for transoms that are vertical or nearly so because of the higher risk of damage during transport.
Underneath transoms, you’ll need some type of padding when transporting them on bumpy roads and potholes – especially if they’re thin transoms from fiberglass boats.
Also, it’s important not to install too many transom clamps since this could lead to damaging effects such as warping brackets and breaking off bolts in extreme cases where extra weight is being placed onto one side due to uneven distribution.
It may seem like a simple task but installing boat transom saver wedges incorrectly can lead to transoms being damaged. They need to be secured tightly and level, not at an angle or they could come off during travel.
Is the outboard motor support transom saver worth it?
For boats that don’t have transom angles that are very steep, transoms wedges or clamps can be a great way to protect against damages when traveling over bumpy terrain.
Transom savers are worth it if you’re looking for peace of mind and want the assurance your investment won’t get damaged while being transported. They may take up some space in storage but they’ll keep your boat safe during transport so it’s well worth having them around!
What materials do boat transom savers come in?
They’re made of steel and can be used for heavy-duty boat engines. If you do have not a big or small boat engine – you can use aluminum models. But steel is the most common material these products are made of.
Transom saver installing
Its installation is a simple task – it’s important to attach them securely and level transoms.
Tip: Boat transom saver length is usually adjustable and varies from 24 to 36 inches.
Key facts for choosing transom saver
Quality of construction
Transoms savers have to be heavy-duty, durable and have rugged constructed in order to withstand the weight of transoms.
They also need to be not shoddy or flimsy – they should last a long time with proper care. They also shouldn’t have any sharp edges that could damage transoms during transit, which would cause costly repairs afterward!
Material
Transoms savers are either made of steel or aluminum, but transom clamps tend to be built with a mix.
Aluminum models are lighter weight and less expensive than steel ones due to their material type, which makes them an ideal option for people who are looking for a cheaper alternative.
Steel models are heavier but also more durable and long-lasting. They can be made of either aluminum or steel.
Mounts
Transom savers for outboard motor support come with a choice of mounts for the end attached to the trailer: roller bracket and/or trailer mount bracket.
Roller brackets can be mounted on transom without the need for drilling any holes. They’re attached to the transoms by way of a clamping system that clamps onto the transom’s bolts.
Trailer mounts are usually reserved for larger boats and require more installation time but they’re also less expensive than roller brackets.
Adjustability
Any model fits many different motors. With transoms saver, the length can be adjusted according to transom size so that it’s not too long or short.
The adjustability is a great advantage since they don’t have to be custom-made for transoms – this way you’ll get one that fits and will protect your transoms properly in any case.
Lenght
All models are adjustable from 24 to 36 inches in length to suit numerous installations and all types of engines.
Rubber pads
Rubber pads on the heavy-duty head can be replaced. They prevent scratching of the lower unit.
Locking feature
The locking feature prevents unintentional detachment of transoms saver.
Water and saltwater resistance
Transom saver brackets are water and salt-water resistant. They’re made of solid, high-quality materials that will hold up to the elements.
Tip: The transoms wedges or clamps should be installed securely, level with transoms when traveling over bumpy terrain for maximum protection against damage! The most common material they’re made of is steel. They’re also typically adjustable with transoms saver length – which makes them so great because they don’t need to be custom-made and can fit any transom size.
Important tips to using for a boat transom saver
- Transoms saver installation requires a minimal amount of tools and can be easily mounted by one person.
- To avoid any damages, these products should be attached correctly.
How to care about transom savers?
- Do not store them in humid places.
- Keep them in a clean, dry, and well-ventilated place, especially during off-seasons.
- If transoms saver is not properly mounted or installed – it will be useless for protecting transoms.
- Never leave it on the boat during winter.
Transom saver brackets maintenance
Transom saver should be inspected before every use.
Check transoms and transom clamps for corrosion, cracks, or any other damages that may have resulted during the off-season. Repair them with paint if necessary so they don’t rust through next season.
Tip: Evidently there are many things to consider when buying – from material type to mount selection. There are no specific “best” transoms savers since it depends on what you need as well as personal preferences in terms of weight, durability, and more. However, some models might not work for certain types of motors due to their design while others will do just fine.
Transom Saver Rod vs Trim Hydraulic Wedge
There’s such a huge misconception of people calling these transom savers these are hydraulic savers it has nothing to do with your transom. Let me run into both scenarios of the hydraulic saver and the transom saver and show you exactly why one is a transom saver and why the other is not.
If you take all of the mechanisms of your boat motor that is held on to your transom, the transom holds so much forces whether your propeller is pushing your boat or while you’re driving down the highway hitting bumps. Four bolts are all that is keeping a motor attached to your boat and when you’re driving down the highway there is a lot of forces on your motor being bounced around and jostled around. So this right here is probably the most important part of your boat. If this goes away you can’t hold the motor you can’t float, you’re just done, once this is cracked whatever happens to it.
So a lot of companies will market one of the little wedgies. They consider this a transom saver. How to install this? It’s super simple and it goes on to the main piston or your trim and tilt hydraulic piston. So my motor is all the way up, all I do is snap that wedge in there.
Lower that down until the rubber becomes just a little bit squished and now you have a hydraulic saving system. All that is doing is keeping this motor from putting too much pressure onto this hydraulic piston itself. It is doing nothing from keeping the forces to your boat. This motor is still allowed to move around and cause excessive forces that are on bolts and the same on the other side. So the only thing this is doing is protecting your hydraulic system.
Next – I’m going to install an actual transom saver. First of all, this is going to go down to one of the rollers onto your trailer. So you have a connection point on your trailer. The next point is going to come up onto the bottom of your motor. Now we’ll lower the motor down. Now what we have is a point of contact from your motor to your trailer. So now that is a transom saver and with that solid point of contact from your boat motor to your trailer (you’re not connected to your boat you are connected to your trailer) and now that is one solid unit between your engine and your trailer. So there’s no way for your motor to bounce down under the excessive forces of running over any bumps or anything like that. And if you do have this lowered all the way down onto your transom saver you’re also already saving the hydraulics because it’s not going to be bouncing around.
So it’s just a short piece of information that you need to know – the trim hydraulic wedge is not a transom saver, this is a hydraulic saver. And transom saver rod is a transom saver. Do not get misconstrued. So in time if you keep using one of these products a hydraulic saving system, you will be wearing out the transom on your boat. Who knows how long that will last, it could last you a lifetime. If you want to use only the wedge and not the transom saver, you just as well is not use anything at all, because the hydraulics will squash a piece of rubber. So you’re really not saving anything in the long run anyway. Do your boat your transom and your motor a favor and in the long run, an actual transom saver will save your transom. So don’t go after gadgets just get a standard transom saver.
FAQ
Which type of boat motor transom saver is best?
The most common material transom savers are made of is steel. They’re also typically adjustable with the length – which makes them so great because they can fit any transom size. Evidently, there are many things to consider when buying a boat transom saver – from material type to mount selection.
Do you really need a transom saver?
The right answer is yes, you need it. Even though boats are designed to flex and move in the water, they are not designed to be rigidly mounted with a motor on the back that is also flexing as it moves. So transom saver helps lessen stress on a boat’s transom during transporting.
Do boat transom savers really work?
Connecting it to the vertical part of your trailer should reduce noticeable stress at the engine bracket and transom since it’s more effective than the ’tilt/lock’ feature.
How long should a transom saver be?
Look for a model that extends from 21″ to 31″. This gives you many options to position your outboard motor on the trailer. How tight does it need to be? You want the outboard pulled tightly against the transom saver for outboard motor support using rubber bungee cables, without any wiggle room.
Do you need a transom saver for a pontoon boat?
When towing a boat with the motor down, a saver is not necessary because it will never experience stress. However, when you tow a tilt-up boat onto the trailer, you should also have some kind of overhead protection for your transom.
How do you measure a boat transom saver?
Measure the distance from your motor’s lower shaft to either the central rear roller or lower trailer crossbeam. This will help you determine which boat transom saver length you need. If you have a roller setup, place one of its rounded ends on that roller.
How can I keep my outboard motor straight while trailering?
Use it to keep the transom of your boat from being stressed during towing.
Transoms saver installation requires a minimal amount of tools and can be easily mounted by one person
Tip: To avoid any damages, this product should be attached correctly.
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Comments to Review
I remember the first time I ever used a boat transom saver. It was an amazing experience! I had always been a little bit scared of using them, but I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was. The boat transom saver made my boat so much more stable, and it was really easy to use. I felt like a total pro!