I bought the wedge you show, and I have a Yamaha F250. It's incredibly easy to use. Lift the motor up, slide it on, and lower back down until it touches. The motor is so damn big that I can't imagine it relieves THAT much stress from road bounces, but I spent way too much to not try it for $40!. If nothing else, it makes me feel a little better. One watch out! It's so discreet, it's easy to forget it's on. Don't forget to check before you back it into the water!
The dealer told me since I trailer mine back and forth to just keep the motor in the down position. Or the Yamaha's have a small L shaped bracket that you can flip down to help relieve some of the stress if you prefer to trailer with the motor slightly up. If you like I can post a picture of the part I am referring too, although I am not sure if Mercs or others have the same option on them.
My service shop was very emphatic NOT to use the tilt support lever. It actually can do more harm than good if you start bouncing. The Yamaha support website also states that. They only recommend two wedges if you have a 300 or 350. I did just catch that you should place the wedge on the port side trim rod. I hadn't read that before.
My service shop was very emphatic NOT to use the tilt support lever. It actually can do more harm than good if you start bouncing. The Yamaha support website also states that. They only recommend two wedges if you have a 300 or 350. I did just catch that you should place the wedge on the port side trim rod. I hadn't read that before.
That's good to know! I am always a little skeptical at some of the stuff dealers tell me. I have been screwed over a couple times on vehicle repairs, and luckily been able to catch them since growing up a mechanics son.
Ok, I'm confused. This type of support doesn't transfer any of the engine load down to the trailer like the extending-rod type, so how is it a "transom saver"?
Maynard - I think you'll get a whole mixed bag of opinions on this topic. I went with the wedge partially because of the Yamaha reco, and partially because of the simplicity. Here is an article I found that weighs the pro's and con's, and then leaves it up to you!
Like I said earlier, the only perfect solution is to get a Benny for every port, and then don't trailer. Come on, Powerball!!
The dealer told me since I trailer mine back and forth to just keep the motor in the down position. Or the Yamaha's have a small L shaped bracket that you can flip down to help relieve some of the stress if you prefer to trailer with the motor slightly up. If you like I can post a picture of the part I am referring too, although I am not sure if Mercs or others have the same option on them.
That little flip down L bracket isn't meant for towing, my 90 had one and that's what I read, my 200 doesn't even have one. I tow in the vertical position.
You do have to be very careful with lower profile trailers and tires when towing it vertically. Watch curbs and small bumps or a skeg is going to get smacked. I had a neighbor catch his lower unit on a small bump. He had compressed the springs enough it yanked the boat backwards snapping the winch strap. It was very ugly as he is a hot head to begin with, mix in some beer, wife calling him a $#%^, and down the drain the whole scene goes. Somewhat entertaining at the time, but not a good thing to do. Taller trailers = good for engine, bad for garages.
Nope. There are 4 bolts and it can be "dismantled", but not something you're going to do after every trip. That's okay though, gives me a reason to build a BIG garage!!!!! Hehe, someday, when I can afford it.
We run one on the bass boat but on the pontoon with the F150 yamaha the extra dual cylinders???? Thats where we were told to put the motor for traveling. I have been thinking of getting one though just seems like the thing to do. That being said ours didnt come with a safety chain or transom tie downs. Looking around at the boat ramp I guess thats not a big deal any more the bass boat doesnt have the safety chain either. But looking around at the boat ramp lots of people dont have either on theirs.
