Being on a boat is one of the most perfect ways to relax in your days off. Transporting your boat with a trailer, though, can be a grueling task. It is also a tricky one as there’s always the danger of some damages. This is why you need proper protection on the most sensitive parts of the boat. We are talking about getting the best transom saver.
Are transom savers necessary assurance for your vessel and engine, or mostly a scam intended to squeeze an additional nickel out of your pocket? It relies upon whom you are talking to.
Our team has collected some interesting facts, essential information and transom saver reviews, you may find useful. If you are wondering “Should I have one of these things?”, This is the right place for you. Let’s get started!
Best Transom Savers Comparison Chart
PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
---|---|---|---|
Extreme Max Adjustable Heavy Duty Universal Transom Saver |
| View On Amazon | |
Extreme Max Straight Transom Saver |
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Attwood Corporation Composite Head Transom Saver with Roller and Bolt Bracket |
| View On Amazon | |
Attwood Corporation Clear Anodized Tube Heavy Duty Transom Saver |
| View On Amazon | |
Camco Heavy Duty Steel Transom Support |
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Attwood SP-436-ADJ-RB Heavy Duty Transom Saver |
| View On Amazon |
Best 6 Transom Saver Reviews
These are some of the products that you can find on the market. We researched each one of the products, and clearly, they all got pros and cons. These products are judged by their features so you can pick the one you want to buy. Keep in mind, that they aren’t arranged in a specific order.
1. Extreme Max Adjustable Heavy Duty Universal Transom Saver
This product is a fully adjustable 28″ – 59″ transom saver. This item is designed for optimal weight distribution. One of the advantages is easy installation and removal – this is essential about the boat-parts, most importantly in the winter season. It divides the weight of your motor to the rest of your boat, reducing the strain on your transom and protecting your investment. Essential for this transom saver is the design – it is designed to fit most trailers perfectly. The plated finish resists corrosion.
Last, but not least – this product has a 2-year replacement warranty. The size matters here as well. The saver’s dimensions are 24.8×4.2×4.1”. The item weight around 9 pounds. Shipping weight is 10.5 pounds.
Pros:
- U attachment is included.
- Excellent quality of the metal.
- Easy installation.
Cons:
- It cannot be used with larger motors.
- Some amount of clearance between the mating outer and inner diameters.
2. Extreme Max Straight Transom Saver
This product is a straight boat transom saver, and it mounts over the trailer’s rear roller. This saver stabilizes the motor and will trim the vibrations to protect the transom during towing. The unit can extend from 29″ – 53″. It distributes the weight of your motor to the rest of your boat, reducing strain on your transom and protecting your boat. With two included mounting variations and a wide range of length adjustments, the Extreme Max Transom Saver fits nearly any application outboard towing application, providing less worry and more overall enjoyment. One of the benefits is the steel construction with a rubber “V” block.
Nevertheless, this saver has a two-year replacement warranty. The dimensions are 31×6.1×2.4″. The item weighs 8 pounds.
Of course, the solar panel has some advantages and disadvantages. You need to know all of them, so here is a shortlist.
Pros:
- This saver does not damage the surface of the boat.
- Strong enough to be used with bigger motors.
Cons:
- The saver does not perform well enough in bad weather conditions – can be easily damaged by saltwater.
3. Attwood Corporation Composite Head Transom Saver with Roller and Bolt Bracket
This product is 23 inches -35 inches. It also has a composite head and Roller/bolt mounting bracket. This item supports the cantilevered weight of the motor stabilize engine and steering mechanism when towing composite head fits motors.
The dimensions are 25 x 6 x 3”. The item weighs around 3 pounds. This transom saver accommodates from 23″ to 25″ to suit the majority of boats. It will carry the cantilevered weight of the motor. It will also stabilize the engine and steering mechanism when towing. It is made from high-quality adjustable toggles with replaceable rubber pads. This boat transom saver is easy to use and will adjust to fit your particular water transport.
Here we are going to face you with some benefits and drawbacks of this saver.
Pros:
- Works fine with more significant engines.
- Rust-resistant
- Bolts and other stuff needed is included
Cons:
- Part of the saver is plastic.
- It does not work with long shaft outboard motors.
4. Attwood Corporation Clear Anodized Tube Heavy Duty Transom Saver
This product has 24 inches -36 inches adjustable length. This saver also has heavy-duty head and roller/bolt mounting bracket. The dimensions of this item are 36.2×6.3×1″, and it weighs 1 pound. The main features of this product are the support the cantilevered weight of the motor, stabilize engine and steering mechanism when towing and the clear anodized tube with a pro-adjustable head with replaceable rubber pads.
It will work fine with every type of motor because it is universal. It also has a hole on each side for a Bungy cord to wrap around it. Then it’s secured.
Here are some benefits and of course some drawbacks of using this particular product.
Pros:
- This is super solid construction
- The aluminum, which is used for production, is excellent quality.
- This product is easy to install and easy to use
Cons:
- This saver does not work well with big and bulky motors.
- It is not rust-resistant.
5. Camco Heavy Duty Steel Transom Support
Here is a transom saver that will definitely do exactly what it is supposed to do. The Camco Heavy Duty Transom Support will provide you with excellent transom protection by actually stabilizing the motor. All of this is aided by the top-notch steel construction of the unit. This is what makes it genuinely dependable. You got 2 options when mounting. Either do it over the rear roller of the trailer or simply to the trailer frame.
Your wiggle room is between 34 and 46 inches. According to our experience, this is a pretty “generous” range. Installation is further boosted by the fact that the set of the transom saver includes everything you need. You get a frame mount, the rubber straps, and the transom support. You won’t need to make a hardware store run to install the unit. A little knock on the product is the fact that there is no insulation of the backing. So you will find yourself in a “metal on metal” situation upon completing the installation.
Pros:
- Sturdy – steel body
- Easy to install – the set includes most parts needed.
- Can be adjusted from 36 to 46 inches
- Retractable Straps
Cons:
- The straps are relatively thin and might break
- No insulated backing
6. Attwood SP-436-ADJ-RB Heavy Duty Transom Saver
This transom saver model is designed to lessen the boat’s transom’s stress when using an outboard motor. Its heavy-duty head secures firmly and can be adjusted from 44 to 56 inches. You can opt to attach it with a roller bracket or a trailer mount bracket. The device helps you back into tough spots and produces stops in proportion to your vehicle’s deceleration rate. It will adjust itself to the terrain you are cruising on.
One downside is that it doesn’t come with a twist bracket, so you will have to get under the back of the boat to secure the pin-locking mechanism. Its thick and solid metal structure ensures durability and security. The rubber pads, however, may require more frequent change.
Pros
- Replaceable rubber pads
- Wide extension range
Cons
- No twist-lock bracket
- Rubber pads fall off occasionally.
What Is Transom Saver?
Its name would infer that a transom saver is a gadget intended to shield your boat’s transom from undue pressure while towing your vessel. A typical contention against the requirement for one of these is that the force applied upon your transom amid common sailing conditions enormously surpasses those experienced while towing.
The purpose of a transom saver is to shield the transom of your vessel from harm while towing. A detachable engine is an overwhelming protuberance and notwithstanding when completely tilted, it requires a transom saver to help the weight.
In large vessels, the transom is an inside structure. On a yacht, it might shape the whole parallel divider while in a little vessel it may just help the detachable engine. Usually, the vessel transom is intended to help a removable engine while in the water. While being towed ashore, there is enormous weight or strain put on the transom. This turns out to be significantly more noteworthy while the boat is being pulled on tough surfaces. Sparing the transom from undue pressure while towing is performed by the transom saver.
“Do you really need a saver” is a serious question! The transom saver neutralizes harmful vibrations to the boat’s transom during towing. It also protects both the transom and the hydraulic tilt/trim from damage caused by the forward and backward bouncing of the watercraft when towed.
Benefits Of Using Transom Saver
Before dwelling on the subject, it’s essential to understand what a transom is and what it does in a vessel. A transom is a piece of the vessel frame that shapes the back divider or square-end of the boat. It helps in exchanging the heap or worry from the front and sides of the structure to the bottom. The bottom is the vessel’s spine and this means that it may withstand a great deal of burden or stress.
The boat motor supports and the saver secure your vessel against bounces and vibrations amid travel. A massive motor mounted on the transom is excellent in the water. Yet on a trailer cruising down the expressway at 60 miles per hour, it may harm the transom. Even if you secure your engine, there is still some danger that the vibrations from common parkway and street driving will also damage your boat’s transom.
Even though you can set the outboard motor in the upward position during travel and lock it into place, this may not be enough to ensure the integrity of the transom over uneven terrain.
Features
When you are buying an item and getting your boat and all the other products needed, it is essential to know their main characteristics. Here you can see the most critical features of the transom savers.
- First of all, it is crucial for the transom saver to be immune to rust because it will be in and around water a lot. Clearly, it has to be solid enough to handle the mass of the motor. Make sure your transom saver is secured, through elastic ties or sticks so it won’t come free during the trip.
- There is a security lip on the majority of the Transom Savers that keeps the engine from consistently slipping up and down.
- The size of the transom saver is essential. The longer your boat, the wider the transom saver you need.
Installation
The transom saver basically works together with your trailer’s back roller and directs the weight from the engine and the trim to the trailer and not the transom. All vessels and outboards will be unique so make sure to check the manual/documentation for further info.
Once you are done installing the unit, it’s vital that you test that the weight is properly upheld by the transom saver.
Use the bungee-type rope to tie the outboard motor tightly. Snare one end of the line to the eye-jolt or metal circle on the transom’s arm. Fold the cord over the detachable engine and snare it to the eye-jolt that is situated on the opposite end of the transom’s arm.
The installation of the transom saver is not more complicated than an installation of a top bilge pump. In fact, you can check if we are right by reading our piece on the top bilge pumps on the market. We’ve added some tips as well. The most important tip – Always follow the instructions of the manufacturer. If you have any doubts, find a technician, they will help you.
Maintenance
Maintenance is something straightforward. It might be harder to take care of your marine fuel tank than for a transom saver. Here are some tips about maintenance and the proper care about transom savers.
- Always check the manual of the manufacturer.
- If the saver seems broken, change it.
- Use only water and mild soap to clean it.
- Check the transom saver before leaving the dock.
Safety Tips
Here are some tips for safe trips!
- When you are looking for a transom saver, you will need to guarantee that it can deal with your outboard engine.
- Try not to bring down the boat a lot as this will put additional strain on the arm. This may cause arm bowing or breaking.
- Choose a saver, which is water-resistant. This will prevent rust and will help for the longer life of the saver.
- Always check the saver before sailing.
Wrap Up
Here we are at the end of our buying guide on finding the best transom saver. Having read our reviews on transom savers and our additional information and tips, you now realize that finding a reliable product can be a bit hard.
How to choose the right saver for you and how to take proper care of it? You already know the answers, and you know that it will be pleasure and safety if you decide to buy a transom saver. Correct installation and following some safety rules will definitely help you to spend your time in the water trouble-free. Go for the adventure, take all the supplies you need for the best experience, do not forget the life-vest and enjoy your trip!
If you find our guide useful, do not forget to forward it to your sailing-loving friends and family. You can also check our articles about other items for your watercraft and how to choose the right thing about your needs. Thank you for reading!