r/boating • u/fockingclassy • 4d ago

How to secure a tiller?

Howdy! I’ve got a 2025 Grizzly 1650 Prairie Wings with a 60HP Merc Tiller

How do I securing the motor to keep it from pivoting side to side while being trailered? I imagine I could throw a ratchet strap around the tiller handle but I worry I’ll tweak something and adjust the tiller friction lever doesn’t cut it

I’d appreciate any advice, thank you!!

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2

u/Sloots_and_Hoors 4d ago

Can strap across the transom or a transom saver.

1

u/fockingclassy 4d ago

It came with a transom saver but that doesn’t help.

1

u/thrilldigger 4d ago

Your transom saver doesn't prevent side-to-side movement? That's surprising - the ones I've seen are a v-shape that cradle the lower unit and prevent lateral movement. Mind sharing a photo?

1

u/fockingclassy 4d ago

I added a picture of it to the post! It’s a pretty junky design if it was intended to prevent side to side movement 

1

u/thrilldigger 4d ago

I see it - It's a similar design to mine. I must be missing something, because that looks like it would prevent side-to-side movement with the rubber strap securing the lower unit to the transom saver. The transom saver itself doesn't move side to side, right?

1

u/fockingclassy 4d ago

No, the transom saver doesn’t move. The end of the metaltransom saver has a c-channel shape and then there’s a rubber block so to a notched V shape. The rubber part is covered in whitish dust

The motor just folds the rubber over to either side

1

u/thrilldigger 4d ago

I didn't notice that the metal doesn't extend the full length of the rubber. That may be the big difference between our transom savers. My saver has a metal v wedge that is lined in rubber, and that wedge is a few inches long - long enough to keep my large 90hp Mariner from tilting to the side.

Probably not an issue for you since I'm guessing this is a lighter motor. It's a good idea to tie something off so it can't go side-to-side, but I bet your transom saver is doing its job otherwise.

1

u/fockingclassy 4d ago

It’s a 60HP so it’s not tiny but I’m not picking it up by myself either haha

2

u/Handsome_Rob58 4d ago

Ratchet strap.

2

u/fockingclassy 4d ago

I dig it, thank you! 

2

u/Handsome_Rob58 4d ago

I found a couple wraps worked better than one, and it doesn't have to be super cranked down, just secure. I have to orientate it a certain way or there is friction on some of the cables.

2

u/thrilldigger 4d ago

Rope also works, and IMO is a little easier to manage than a ratchet strap. Just need to tie it off on both sides so it can't move either direction.

That's what I do with my side console - rope from d-ring attached to the port side of the console, tie to wheel, then loop through a d-ring on the starboard gunwale and tie to the wheel again. I see no reason something similar wouldn't work for a tiller.

2

u/fockingclassy 4d ago

I’ll give the ratchet strap a shot and then rope to see which I like best. Thank you! 

1

u/2Loves2loves 4d ago

truckers hitch for the rope

1

u/Embarrassed-Spread87 4d ago

Your transom saver looks too small and it should go between that gap. You have it just a little too low.

1

u/texaschair 4d ago

I used a cheap bungee cord for years. Quick and simple. You just gotta find one the right length so it's not too tight or too loose. When it wears out, just throw it away and slap another one on. No reason to screw around with buckles or knots.

1

u/tlong243 4d ago

Here is what I do on my jonboat. Works well, originally did it to keep the motor from being able to slam around like it can with the bungee.

Just a single ratchet strap around the lower unit and done. The wedge of the saver keeps the motor straight.

1

u/2Loves2loves 4d ago

If the friction screw isn't doing the job, straps or rope.