Transom savers vs other options

[siwash]

I picked up a transom saver from PA and realized it was too short.. saw other on Amazon for well over $100 then I remembered that my dad would always use a block of wood (recommended by the marine dealer he bought he boat from).  In this video, the guy basically states that the transom saver on the market do nothing to protect your transom and he suggest either a block of wood or the service supports attached to your motor.  What are y'all using? 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siITORxQN_A

[RandyLinden]

You will get a variety of replies to this one. I do not like the the traditional "transom savers". The ones that connect the trailer to the lower unit on the engine. This type induces every bit shock and vibration directly into the lower unit of the engine and ultimately into the transom. They kind of do what you really don't want and are trying to prevent by using a "transom saver". In my opinion the boats transom probably sees much higher levels of stress while powering the boat up on plane and carrying the weight boat at speed out on the water. Add in some rough water conditions and the punishment that the transom has to endure increases even more. The travel while on the trailer should in comparison be much easier. I think that it is important to keep the engine from bouncing and it would also be good to keep the engine from flopping to one side and then the other. The good old block of wood strategically placed between the engine and mount will do the job and there are a broad range of modern stabilizers and engine supports, some of them expensive that also do the job. There are a few engines that have a good tilt lock mechanism that is perfect for trailering and even recommended by the engine manufacturer. There are also a variety of steering locks that keep the engine centered and prevent it from flopping over to on side or the other. Most of these are intended for the newer hydraulic steering systems.

[siwash]

So save my money and use a 2x4! 

[Fisherman]

Well there's lots of rocket scientists out there who probably never passed physics 101.  If you don't tie down the rear of the boat to the trailer even a piece of 2x4 does nothing for saving the transom.  What you want is to have the boat and trailer going over potholes and bumps to do it together, not the boat flopping around on the trailer and then the weight of the motor adding to the motion.  A transom saver ensures the unsupported lower end of the motor from from flopping around.  I've watched mine going over bumps, the whole trailer, boat and motor move up and down as one unit.  No flopping.  Your toys, due your diligence.

[BillM]

I don't use a transom saver to save the transom, I simply use it to keep the big mill from flopping around.   It's a typical transom saver however (Connects to the trailer etc).   Like Randy mentioned above, your transom takes way more of a beating out on the water then it ever will on a trailer.