transom saver or lock'n stow ?

bassrman · Post by **bassrman** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 5:52 pm

broke my transom saver today,on my way up to the local pond,I was wondering if any one has used one of those lock'n stow motor supports ? I have seen them in the BPS catalog,looks like it would be a better way too go,no bungee cords,no scuffing up your lower unit, looks like its a Merc item only though ?....

Hollywood · Post by **Hollywood** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 5:55 pm

You shouldn't be breaking a transom saver unless your motor is bouncing around while you are driving and hit a big bump or unless its well 20 years old.

kopper_bass · Post by **kopper_bass** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 6:20 pm

Bassrman,
Yeah, as hollywood said, i've never seen one break unless something else was seriously wrong, like you lost hydraulic pressure in the tilt/trim and your motor was flappin.

What happened?

To answer your question, i would give this advise.
If you only travel short distances (30 miles or less) than the lock&stow is great, but i didnt like it for long distances. It still is putting pressure on your transom by clamping into the motor bracket.

I used the lock&stow when i got the lake and was fishing many days (pre-fishing, then the tourney). Its fast, quick, and easy. But once i was done and ready to drive home, i put the traditional transom saver back on.

If you have a mercury and want to try a lock& stow, i have mine still but cant use it 'cause i have a Yamaha now. Let me know.

Kopper_Bass

bassrman · Post by **bassrman** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 7:25 pm

it was a 7 year old transom saver,it cracked in half at the lower unit,it is made out of cast alum. motor hyd. are fine !,I think it was just its time too break !......

L.Hackney · Post by **L.Hackney** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 8:48 pm

I agree with Kopp..
The transome saver is the way to go. I have broke two motor supports in the last year on my Evinrude and puttting on the third now. I gave up on that sh@*$t and went back to the t-saver.
The way I look at it,
Scratched Lower unit -or- Cracked Transom ???

scsiman411 · Post by **scsiman411** » Thu Feb 01, 2007 9:23 pm

Its my humble opinion that the shock eze works pretty well if you get the one with the big bulky head and 4 round rubber pads on the outboard side. I had one made by the same company with just a rubber/plastic head and it split quickly scratching and or chipping my lower unit. These things work best if the motor is in the lowest possible configuration or in other words if the piece is as short as possible. I think I paid something like 60 bucks for this one and its worth the extra 20 or so for the better 'head'. Just my two cents.

Terry Smith · Post by **Terry Smith** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 6:49 am

I use Lock'n Tow on my boat and love it but when I talked with BassCat they recommend that I use the transom saver. They said better safe then sorry especialy if you are planning on keeping the same boat for years.

Terry

L.Hackney · Post by **L.Hackney** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 10:39 am

Anyone know if you can change out those hard plastic pads on the Transom Saver for rubber one's?

Ken C. · Post by **Ken C.** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 11:06 am

There is a now a "Loc-N-Stow" type of support now available for Yamaha's - made by Pro-rule:

http://www.fishingworld.com/ProRule/Det ... 4016625899

I've read all the arguments pro & con for the "traditional" transom savers and the "wedge" type and I just feel more confident in having the "shock" of bouncing down the road get transfered directly to the trailer rather than through the transom. The trim rams and the transom get enough punishment on the water...

kopper_bass · Post by **kopper_bass** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:32 pm

Hey Ken,
Yeah, i think i saw this. My buddy has one. If this is the same thing; its nothing like the Lock-n-stow. I didnt like it at all.
Do you use one?

The reason i didnt like this thing was that those shafts go over the hydralic cylinders and use them to keep alignment. That's not good!! While you certainly lower the shafts slightly to relieve the pressure, they are still acting like angle supports; which i think is even worse!

Anyway, i'm still sticking with the traditional transom savor for my Yammy, until someone comes along with a REAL lock-n-stow.

Fish-on,

Kopper_Bass

Ken C. · Post by **Ken C.** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:50 pm

Your right Kopper, that isn't exactly like the lock-n-stow, but same in basic function - supporting the motor while trailering by the motor-mount/transom. I did not like the design of that one either for the same reasons you pointed out! I also found out that there is now a "My-Wedge" version for Yamaha's as well that doesn't put pressure on the pistons or the rams. (No, I don't use one!)

Either way I'm sticking with the traditional type for the reasons I stated in my earlier post. I don't have too much of a problem with marring the paint finish on mine as I place a folded towel between the rubber pads of the 'saver and the lower unit. (Plus I'm not traveling across country, either!)

bassrman · Post by **bassrman** » Fri Feb 02, 2007 6:27 pm

went to wally world this morning,and all they had was the cheaper transom saver made by "swivel eze" it was only $19 compared to $25 in the bps catalog!, I think I will order the "shock eze" it is 40$ ! I think I will feel a little better with that one & keep the cheapo for a spare........

STONEFREE · Post by **STONEFREE** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 4:30 pm

check out the new MOTO STOP by MIKE DEAN 916 997 6429 solid alluminium AWSOME NEW PRODUCT!!!!! Thanks Mike, mine works perfect J LOWE

L.Hackney · Post by **L.Hackney** » Sat Feb 03, 2007 7:20 pm

Hey Big John,
would that thing work good on my evinrude? Does it rest on the bow roller or is it a engine support type by the mount?

MrSkeeter · Post by **MrSkeeter** » Sun Feb 04, 2007 8:04 am

I've been using the Lock'n Stow for about a year now and think it's great. I had the regular transum savers from Swivel Ez, but the new Lock'n Stow is smaller more compact and keeps your motor from turning when being towed.

If you're interested i it, Cabelas is the cheapest place to get it. If you want something else, then there's this "shock" version of the transum saver. Of course, this is the standard version. But Cabelas have this interesting version as well.

I love my Lock'n Stow though!!