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100% Improved Trailering with a Mercury

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 8:22 pm
by grumpy7790
Wow, what an improvement in trailering. I threw out my old traditional transom saver this past weekend and tried out a Swivel-eze Lock-N-Stow.

I could tell the difference within the first 1/4 mile of towing. Completely eliminated all the bouncing up and down that was being generated from transom saver putting the boat and trailer out of sync.

I think these only work for Mercury owners but who would own anything else :wink: .

Image

G

LOOKS GREAT!!

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 10:03 pm
by Cyber
Hiya Grumpy!! :D

That looks cool!!! :D :D I can't see the pic that clearly, what's that thing called & what'd it set ya back :?: :?: I also have a Merc. :) (Who Wouldn't?? :P :P :P :wink: :wink: :lol: :lol: :lol: ) & I'd be interested in "Smoothin'" out the trailerin' experience, just to be as kind as possible to my "Little Gal"!!!! :wink: :wink: :oops: :oops:

So if'n ya could, gimme a few "Specs" on that thar "Thingie"!! :wink: :wink: :lol: :lol: :lol: Thanx-A-Bunch!! Cyber Out!! 8) 8) 8)

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 10:27 pm
by Kpin
Hmmmmm Grumpy....that makes for a smooooooooth ride from, well I don't know......PA to Ottawa for a musky hunt??????!!!!!!! (hint hint).
:wink: :lol:

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 10:36 pm
by ontariodreaming
Bouncing? Guess between my boat's weight and straps I do not experience any bouncing. Does look cool though. Does if flip down from motor to transom? I ask dealer about putting transom saver on mine but they said I did not need to because of the lock I have built in to the HONDA. We can discuss mercury on the way up to quinte. :lol:

$$

Posted: Wed Sep 28, 2005 10:42 pm
by grumpy7790
It was 55 smacks. Here's another pic. It comes in two sizes and starts at 75hp. Its simple to install and to store.

Image
Lock'N Stow
Keep your motor secured while on the way to the lake without damaging your transom or scuffing up your lower unit. The small, compact Lock'N Stow takes the pressure off your hydraulics, so your seals remain intact. The entire assembly packs away easily within a storage compartment of your boat so it's never left behind on the ramp or in the garage. Powder-coated steel construction with stainless steel locking pins. Fits Mercury engines only.
Available:
200-225 Optimax, 225-250 EFI
75-200 Carb and EFI's, 135-175 Optimax
G

EXCELLANT!!

Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 5:35 am
by Cyber
Thanx Grumpy!! :D :D Think I'll grab me one o' those!!! :wink: :wink: Cyber Out!! 8) 8) 8)

Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 7:23 am
by joco
THATS a great ideal,,,,,,,,,

do you no if there some in here ottawa region,,,,,,,,,,?

how mutch,?


those it fit a 80hp,,,,,1990,,,merc,?

thanks for that info,,,,,,,,,looking forward to get one,,,,,,,,


joco :P

Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 8:58 am
by M.T. Livewell
Grumpy, that looks an awful lot like a unit that is built right into my johnson.
My only concern would be that you are actually putting the weight back on the transom, instead of on the trailer (transom saver).
I don't actually own a transom saver at this point, but have used the built in bracket and so far so good.

Looks neat though.

M.T. Livewell

Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 10:22 am
by Jimmy
M.T. Livewell wrote:Grumpy, that looks an awful lot like a unit that is built right into my johnson.
My only concern would be that you are actually putting the weight back on the transom, instead of on the trailer (transom saver).
I don't actually own a transom saver at this point, but have used the built in bracket and so far so good.

Looks neat though.

M.T. Livewell
Agreed!... It does not appear to take the weight off the transom. My dealer reccommends a transom saver for anything over a 75HP. When I set my motor into the transomsaver I bring it down till it just touches. Then put the strap over it. By the time I get to where I'm going, the 115Hp is all the way down and putting alot of pressure on the rig. In other words, doing what it is supposed to do.
I do have to make sure that the boat is all the way forward to the stop before I set the saver or it will not work correctly.

Mercs also have a lock like a Honda... but this still does not take the weight off the transom.

Just my 2 cents :wink:
Jimmy

Transome Saver

Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 12:35 pm
by grumpy7790
MT, neither unit takes the weight off the transoms, their meant to protect the hydraulics of your motor. The transoms are rated for the full weight of the motor and the force they will transfer while WOT. This device has eliminated all bouncing the causes stress and damage to transoms.

One word of caution, do not over trim down on the motor as it will wear on the plastic bushings on the device. Just snug it down.

Here is a quote from another board on the device:
Transom damage is not caused by the weight of the motor, the transom is designed not only for engine weight but to also withstand the horse power and thrust pushing on it.
Transom damage is caused by the crowbar action of the engine when an impact while trailering causes the engine to rock. You have hundreds of pounds trying to pry on a transom which has less support while out of the water.

The lock and stow or any other method of keeping the engine weight over the transom and stationary prevents damage.

The theory of transferring weight to the trailer isn't really correct. You still have the engine weight on the transom you just exert some downward pressure on the motor toter bar to keep it stationary.

In addition when a trailer rebounds from a major road bump you can encounter a situation where the trailer is moving upwards and the hull is coming down from a previous bump. This can put more stress on the engine and transom than if the engine and the trailer were not tensioned together.
G

Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 1:10 pm
by Markus
Bill, this is the identical device we have bulit into our Johnsons.

I still think you should invest in a transome saver for trailering too.

Grumpy, I see how this may save any bouncing from damaging your hydrolics, but how does it pevent "bouncing that puts the boat and trailer out of sync"?

Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 1:14 pm
by Markus
OK...just read your quoted text more carefully.

My opinion...if you're not straping your motor in place and bouncing the moter all over the place down the highway...pull over and give your boat and motor to the first person that says they'll take proper care of it. :lol:

Good unit you picked up.

Trailer

Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 7:32 pm
by grumpy7790
Markus, I think the problem of the bouncing (shock) created with the traditional transom saver comes from the trailer transfering shock or energy from the trailer up through the motor and into the boat.

This energy must be great because my old transom saver was starting to mushroom at the base of the unit.

All I can say if you trailer a lot and try the lock n stow you will immediately notice that all bouncing and shock just disappers as the motor stays straight and rock solid.

G

Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 9:38 am
by steve-hamilton
i have a yamaha 50hp.

i only use the metal piece that came with the motor....

cept i've never noticed this 'bouncing' your talking about....?

Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2005 9:57 am
by orrsey
steve,
I think they are meant for motors from 75hp and up.