New '14 H180 owner. A few questions

simonj · **Joined:** Thu Jul 31, 2014 9:24 am **Posts:** 29

I just took delivery of a '14 H180 w/ 4.3TKS (LX package, full black gelcoat hull, extended swim deck)

So far, absolutely in love...and its my first boat. I have a few general operating questions:

1) After a boating trip, I tilt the drive up for the trailer. Since I have the extended swim platform, I can't visually confirm that the drive is fully up. I don't want to burn out the tilt mechnism by activating the motor when its already fully up. How do I tell?

2) What does the "Accessory" switch power? I thought it might be the radio...but no. I turn the key counterclockwise to power that....

3) Do I need to remove the drain plug after every trip? I quickly check the engine compartment every time I put the covers on, and the bildge area looks bone dry.

THank you in advance!

ric · **Posted:** Thu Jul 31, 2014 10:02 am

There should be a trim gauge?

simonj · **Joined:** Thu Jul 31, 2014 9:24 am **Posts:** 29

There is.....but I'm unsure if the "full up" indication on the gauge shows:

1) Normal trim full up or

2) Trim + tilt full up

Capt. Hoss · **Posted:** Thu Jul 31, 2014 10:17 am

While you are trimming it up have some one back and check for when it stops, then you will know when it's up and what the gauge says. Yes remove the drain plug after you pull it out of the water, but remember to put it back in before you splash.

Gresh24 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 31, 2014 10:21 am

1. Usually you can tell if trim is all the way up or down by the difference in sound. Maybe it's not as distinct in a new boat, but every boat I've been on you can hear when it is fully trimmed by the sound the motor makes. I don't think you will do much harm by assuring your trim is all the way up just when taking out by holding it a few extra seconds.

3. I always take out the plug even if visually dry. Probably not necessary, but I like to think it is getting some air flow or venting by taking it out.

rpengr · **Posted:** Thu Jul 31, 2014 10:33 am

Pretty much a repeat of Gresh's comment, but:

1. You will hear a distinctly different sound when the drive hits full up or full down. The sound is a pressure relief valve in the pump. It's OK to hit the end of stroke for a couple seconds. Then it's recommended to go the opposite direction for at least a fraction of a second to release the pressure. Many of us trim only by sound because our trim sending units have failed and it's not worth the $$$ to fix them.

2. You cover your boat, so in theory you don't have to leave your plug out, but if your cover comes undone or collapses or leaks in a storm, then you want the water to be able to drain out. I take my plug out and park with the bow high, even though mine is covered. I also leave the drive only about 1/3 up, not all the way up, as that is easier on the rubber bellows under the drive.

Gresh24 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 31, 2014 10:45 am

As far as the accessory switch - isn't that for adding electrical accessories? A 'blank' switch if needed? If it is, I'm sure you could put your stereo on it.

SeriousRob · **Posted:** Thu Jul 31, 2014 11:25 am

Simon,
Welcome to this forum. Lots of good answers here and congrats on your new boat.
I also have the extended swim platform and my outdrive hits the platform if I let it tilt up all the way. I either have someone else watch and tell me when it is within an inch of the platform or just run it up until it hits, you can tell by the sound ...it goes to a higher pitch, and then back it off just a bit. Trim gauges are notoriously inaccurate and fail frequently. I quit using mine after the second failure and never replaced the gauge when I replaced my dash panel.
Enjoy your boat.
Rob

Edited to correct my error in the name of the new guy

ric · **Posted:** Thu Jul 31, 2014 11:55 am

I can't see my drive either. I just push up until I hear the pump make a different noise (it's up) and back down half a second to get the pressure off the valve.

robopath · **Joined:** Thu Aug 29, 2013 10:34 am **Posts:** 35

I have a 2013 190 and I added the 2014 extended platform over this offseason. The new platforms are custom glass and have a hollowed-out space for the drive to trim all the way up. I was very surprised at how well it was designed when I looked under mine, and it almost looks handmade (I can see a little unevenness on the bottom). I would assume its the same or very similar for the 180.

ric · **Posted:** Thu Jul 31, 2014 12:34 pm

robopath wrote:

I have a 2013 190 and I added the 2014 extended platform over this offseason. The new platforms are custom glass and have a hollowed-out space for the drive to trim all the way up. I was very surprised at how well it was designed when I looked under mine, and it almost looks handmade (I can see a little unevenness on the bottom). I would assume its the same or very similar for the 180.

It is hand made. So is your boat.

LouC · **Posted:** Thu Jul 31, 2014 1:42 pm

Yes you can tell when the drive is all the way up or down, by the sound the pump makes. And yes, trim gauges are un-reliable because they are just a potentiometer that is not truly water proof and that's why they usually stop working. My OE OMC ones used to last about 2 seasons, surprisingly the aftermarket Sierra one I put in for the 2010 season still works!
Here's a more useful way to learn to deal with how high up is the drive issue, thought of this one day: time how long it takes to go from full up to full down (ie one thousand one, one thousand two etc). So if you want to put it down half way for launching or retrieving, or if you get in shallow water and need to trim up, take the full down figure and cut it half. So when I pull into my mooring spot, I count down to one thousand 6 because it takes 12 sec to go all the way up. My spot is shallow at low tide (4.5 feet) so I like to come in with drive up half way to be on the safe side).
Time yours and see how long it takes. Its much more useful to know this, than to try to figure it out with the trim gauge.

ThaScoobs · **Posted:** Mon Aug 04, 2014 10:56 am

Congrats on the new boat. I have a '14 H180 the accessory switch is for adding electronics. I added LED lights to my switch. It works great. With my trim gauge, once you get right above the top line, you should be all the way up. I just listen for the different sound from the pump to know when it is up all the way. It is state law by my to remove the drain plug after you pull your boat out of the water.

simonj · **Joined:** Thu Jul 31, 2014 9:24 am **Posts:** 29

Thanks for all the great replies.

I've since taken the boat out a few more times and have learned a few more things....including the trim sounds

Here's a picture of my setup

https://www.dropbox.com/sc/vsmm9y49cosk ... L_peLe4TGa

LouC · **Posted:** Mon Aug 04, 2014 11:50 am

Looks great!

www.iFourWinns.com

New '14 H180 owner. A few questions

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