Transom Support

[msidd]

Is a Transom Support necessary when trailering a 15' with a 25 hp outboard that has a trim lock that locks in the up position?
Thanks

[Paul Pless]

i would

[Ian McColgin]

Depends on boat construction and how far ahead of the transom the last support is. In general, I like the center roller or flat a couple of feet ahead of the transom with the side bunks extending back to support the transom.

[wizbang 13]

The lock on my 25, 2 cycle merc is a piece of alluminum with a slot in it...easily bent . Or, the engine can "hop" and pop out of the slot.
When I go 2 miles to the local ramp I don't bother, if I go a distance,I jam something to boost it up.
I am protecting the engine, not the transom.
The boat jumpin banging pounding beats the transom up plenty.

[msidd]

i would

Thanks for your input

[msidd]

Depends on boat construction and how far ahead of the transom the last support is. In general, I like the center roller or flat a couple of feet ahead of the transom with the side bunks extending back to support the transom.

Thanks for your input

[msidd]

The lock on my 25, 2 cycle merc is a piece of alluminum with a slot in it...easily bent . Or, the engine can "hop" and pop out of the slot.
When I go 2 miles to the local ramp I don't bother, if I go a distance,I jam something to boost it up.
I am protecting the engine, not the transom.
The boat jumpin banging pounding beats the transom up plenty.

Thats quite a little speedster.
Thanks for your input

[msidd]

Depends on boat construction and how far ahead of the transom the last support is. In general, I like the center roller or flat a couple of feet ahead of the transom with the side bunks extending back to support the transom.

The Transom is double thick, engineered by a retired engineer to accommodate larger motors. I'm not so worried about the transom but steading the motor over bumpy Vermont roads leads to me to believe that relieving stress and shock would be a good thing. I've read mixed reviews on store bought supports...as a fabricator, I can do better.
THX

[Ian McColgin]

All boat carriers regardless of size rely on the trailer's suspension for shock and do their best to make the connection between boat and trailer as free of movement as possible. A layer of carpeting or the like on the bunks is about all you want - to protect against scraping but not for shock absorption.

If you're making bunks, you can get the curves just right for your boat when positioned rightly.

An aside, I like those posts that stick up from the back of the trailer and are spaced to meet the boat's greatest beam. They help get the boat straight on the trailer, especially if loading in a wind.

G'luck

[wizbang 13]

Notice on my Bingo boat above, the boat only touches the trailer in 2 places ,on the ends of the bunks. Maybe 4 square inches. The forward end of the short bunks are pulled down after the boat is aboard, and the line from the winch pulls the bow up.
This prevents the slightest of hook in the thin ply bottom by letting only the solid part of the transom take weight.
Hook damage from trailers is a very common thing that most never consider. Of course, hook makes little difference on a slow boat or a displacement boat.