re: Thoughts on Transom Savers

I use the sticks similar to the pic in the OP. Not so much to protect the transom, but to protect the trim cylinder.

This is on a haynie bay boat with a 250 4-stroke. The transom setback, where the jackplate is bolted through, is something like 6" thick. I'm not saying it can't happen, but I'm not worried about transom damage unless something catastrophic happens on the road.

I also use chocks on either side of the steering arm to keep the motor centered, like so:

Agreed, I don't necessarily buy into the fact that the boat/motor and trailer move independently from each other being that it is strapped in the front and back. The way my driveway is I have to trim the motor up to keep the skeg from scraping concrete. I don't like watching the motor bouncing around back there doing half a mile per hour for 6 feet, much less a pot hole at 70.

After reading the article the other day I did a little searching and some people pointed out the forces on the transom are much stronger while under power pushing the boat than they are while towing but I don't see my motor shaking and flexing back and forth while running. Many boat manufactures don't say it's necessary and their transoms are strong enough.

I will continue to use some type of transom saver, and I'd prefer to use a traditional version of it, which is why I began searching for it to begin with, just thought it would be an interesting discussion on here.

I must have missed that one.

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I've never seen the point of the trim unit transom savors. The motor still bounces and flexes the transom even when using those. If anything, that style is "snake oil".

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i think the theory behind the "motor sticks" is to eliminate the torque that would otherwise be placed on a small area of the transom by the outboard rotating about the trim cylinder while tilted up and towing.

the sticks provide a support point half way up the leg that transfers the load into the trim cylinder mount, on into the jackplate, and eventually into a larger area of the transom than what was suggested in the paragraph above.

this also takes all rotational loading off of the tilt and trim cylinders.

Trailer-style vs wedge comparison video I'm sold.

I rather the tradition TS that goes to trailer because that style TS gets some of the motor weight off of the transom and puts it on the trailer. I guess now boat transoms are built stronger and the style that the OP has pictured are fine these days. However, I will use a tradition TS for the reason stated above. When using a TS like the one in OP the transom is still supporting the entire weight of the motor while traveling down the highway. Just personal preference.

Those little tabs that are on the motor that can rotate down to stop the motor from trimming down are for working on the motor only if I remember correctly.

Where is Coon?

that makes me cringe

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I forget about once a year and I sit there like an idiot trying to figure out why the boat won't float off the trailer.

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been there, done that

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So basically the wedge system I use is pointless?

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I use one as well, so I refuse to answer this question.