www.iFourWinns.com

Our boat guy said to leave the trim all the way down (docked in a deep spot all summer) due to animals ripping through the exposed tubes and getting into the engine area to make a home. Apparently they do this around our lake.

Is this a problem?

Thanks

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[img][IMG]http://i1260.photobucket.com/albums/ii566/swedcars1/th_boat2012.jpg[/img][/img]

2008 H190 Four Winns (Volvo Penta 4.3L 225HP)
2009 Nissan Pathfinder
2002 Porsche Boxster.....recently SOLD

It's not been a problem in my part of Minnesota for the 30 years I haven't been doing that. What kind of critters you got up there on Lake Minnetonka anyway?

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2009 F204 with 5.0 litre Volvo

You have to remember, with your drives in the down position, the rubber bells are basically neutral. Having the drive stored n the up position for long periods can put extra stress on them and cause premature failure of the bellows.

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

As to the animals, I don't now. Up here we don't have that problem. BUT, I would and do leave it down. The boot is at rest went it is, so it should last longer.

If you have the depth at the dock to keep them down, That is how I would keep them. Down and centered to keep a neutral load on the bellows.

And yeah, what kind of critters do you have there???

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2009 H180 w/3.0 Merc
Homebuilt Minimax Hydro
2011 Zodiac Cadet 310

This...

I do leave it all the way down if the water will be deep enough given the changes in depth with the tides (7 feet difference). The other reason why, besides relaxing the bellows, is that some drives have anodes on the aft end of them that would be out of the water when you trim up. If they are out of the water they can't protect the drive from corrosion. However most years I don't have that much water so I have to keep it about 1/2 up. Don't want to come out and find the skeg in the mud holding the boat up!

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Rats will chew on rubber, but they can't do this while wearing scuba gear.....I have heard of several drowning while trying, but alcohol was reportedly involved.

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http://i1339.photobucket.com/albums/o71 ... wqm355.jpg


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

Question on the same topic. What about when the boat is sitting on a trailer should it be up or down while parked?

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2004 Horizon 180 3.0
Tow: 2009 Buick Enclave CXL AWD

DOWN DOWN DOWN

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2008 Horizon 180 Volvo Penta 3.0

On this forum I learn something new everyday!

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2004 Horizon 180 3.0
Tow: 2009 Buick Enclave CXL AWD

LOL I think they are worse on lake Waconia, but heard it was Muskrats!

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[img][IMG]http://i1260.photobucket.com/albums/ii566/swedcars1/th_boat2012.jpg[/img][/img]

2008 H190 Four Winns (Volvo Penta 4.3L 225HP)
2009 Nissan Pathfinder
2002 Porsche Boxster.....recently SOLD

But don't forget to raise it back up before towing it down to the lake!!

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2002 Funship 214
VP 5.7 GX Si
2003 Tahoe

I trailer my boat and the drive is always down. The only exception is when its rolling down the highway!

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2008 FW F204 - 5.0 VP "Stand On It"
Former Boat: Larson 186 LXI - 4.3 VP

Mine is down when on the trailer and only up when trailering.

My question is when in salt water for a week in the Florida keys, should I let it stay in the salt water? Last year I flushed it with fresh water at the dock at the house and tilted the engine all the way up to keep as much out of the water thinking I did not want it in the salt water. Bad idea?

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2010 Sea Hunt Triton 220 "Big Whiskey"
2003 FW Freedom 180 Volvo Penta 4.3GL/SX-M "It'll Do Four Now" (Sold)
2012 Avalanche LTZ 4X4