Transom savers?

Question

I have a 8Hp 4 stroke Mercury outboard on a 14' V bottom Jon,. Is it absolutely necessary to have a transom saver? This is a older boat with a new motor, I have owned several boats mostly inboard and inboard/outboard. this is the first out board. Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

On an 8hp, no not necessary. What I would look at closely is: can the boat travel on it's trailer with the engine straight up and down, and still have plenty of clearance to ply our asphalt highways?

The 8 hp is relatively light, but as you told us the boat is older, and I am thinking about how much abuse that old transom can take. With the engine straight up and down, it has always seemed to me the engine doesn't bounce as hard on the transom.

Have fun, and a good summer.

Answer 2

no if the transom is in good condition you dont need it

Answer 3

the most best way to trailer a motor is in the full down position, but only if you have plenty of clearance under the skeg.

If you must raise the motor, you'll want to support it in some fashion, not for the sake of the transom, but in case the built in lock mechanism let's go when you, say, cross a RR track or bounce over a curb (not that I've ever done that), you don't want it slamming down.

Answer 4

i don't think so with an 8 hp motor. you could it you want.