I Think I Got Something
 

Been commiserating over how to support the Merc while towing...I'll never trust the T&T after a friends failed and dragged his 225 V-Max 75 miles down the road...

Anyway, took shaft from Minn Kota trolling motor and cut two lengths...the hollow center fits right down over the two extended rams...drop the motor down on the new extensions...and for good measure, a sturdy bungee strap around the back of the midsection the make sure no bouncing(that's what caused failure of 1st attempt)...
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...n/DSCN1628.jpg
Two of these
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...n/DSCN1629.jpg
One on
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...n/DSCN1629.jpg
Then the second one
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...n/DSCN1630.jpg
Both in place
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...n/DSCN1631.jpg
Now drop the motor down and wrap the strap around back, hooked on both sides
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...n/DSCN1632.jpg
I think this is gonna do it
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90...n/DSCN1632.jpg
Rode to Lake Hartwell and back yesterday(yeah, Spare...I went FISHIN' again!!...LOL!!)...1 1/2 hrs each way w/plenty of those SC smooth(NOT) road-to-bridge transitions to test it and all in place when back home...

She might make the trip back to NJ for the next Get-Together...I kinda liked that....gotta get back to the Miracle Bar!!...:sun::beer::clap:

Great idea reel!!
Don't foresee any problems with that. :clap:

Now if you'd of had a Johnson, they already got a bracket made for that on the motors.

I's just gotta pick.

Looking good there reel.....sometimes the simplest things work the best...

My brother inlaws merc 125 had a bracket that flipped up to take the load off when trailering but I love that idea simple easy and not expensive like most things associated with a boat
Bring Out Another Thousand seems to be all too true

excellent idea, i love creative uses of pvc i modified this transom saver to fit into the drain hole to take the weight off the rams and transfer some it to the lower transom, but your idea is a lot simpler.
http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/o...DSCF0477-1.jpg


http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/o...6/DSCF0478.jpg

Phat, I've got one of the support brackets like yours and made a run at using just as you did having it fit into the drain hole...problem is when I got this boat the drain sleeve wasn't right and I hollowed it out and installed one of the screw-in garboard style plugs...concerned about messing up the threads inside...I know it can be made to work, but I came up w/the support tubes above before I figured out how to do it...BTW, you mentioned PVC uses...those tubes are cut from a Minn Kota trolling motor shaft and are reinforced fiberglass...it might, but I don't think PVC would last long...

What I REELY DO LIKE in your pics are the sprinkler-heads under your boat!!...I assume you FLOOD the bottom and trailer w/one turn of a spigot...GREAT IDEA!!...:clap:

Great idea!!!!!!

The Merc has a flip bracket for the full trim position on the port side of clamp, just not the 1/2 trimmed position. LOL. It tends to bounce when fully trimmed IMO. X2 Great Idea.

Nice one Ozzie! Always thinking. Yamaha makes something similar for thier ginormous f350 to keep them on the transom. The Miracle bar sounds good to me. I think Michele is making plans to go tonite. I can't drink too much though. I got some driving to do tomorrow.:sand:

Cant wait for the first time you're in the water sayin' "Why wont this damn motor go down.....oh wait a minute":clap: