www.iFourWinns.com

Should I leave my out drive up or down while parked at a dock or anchored.

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2006 Four Winns 180 3.0l VP

As long as you have enough water depth I keep it down. Certain years my mooring spot was only 3-4' deep at low tide and I had to keep it up, but the harbor was dredged and I have 7-8 feet now so its always down when I have it on the mooring.

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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

Down is best for the rubber driveshaft bellows, and also seems safer for swimmers.

When I'm on the trailer I trim about 1/3 to 1/2 of the way up to give plenty of ground clearance over things like speed bumps. That doesn't seem very hard on the bellows either.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

Agree......down and straight if depth variance permits......the reason is that it keeps the strain off the rubber bellows....no need in them being extended to max if not necessary.

I trailer but same idea. ..I lower mine once parked....it's only raised when I'm towing....for those who trailer we also release tension on bow eye strap and transom ties when parked.

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


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

Everything noted above, it also keeps the hydraulic rams from being exposed when down. If you are in salt you don't want those to get pitted or any marine growth. Even a tiny bit or growth could ruin the orings and leak.

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--2002 3880 Regal Flybridge | Twin Merc 8.1HO **Seven**
--2003 AB 13 VST Console Inflatable | Tohatsu 40hp TLDI **Phish'n ski**
--310 Mercury Inflatable | 1982 9.9 Johnson

Different bellows seem to have different service lives in terms of years, depending on the make of outdrive, and whether or not the bellows was OE or aftermarket. Even though I was not able to keep mine down in certain years because of the shallow depth of my mooring spot, the bellows put on in '05 was still good (just starting to show some small cracks in the folds) this spring so I replaced it. That's 10 seasons worth in salt water. But not all will last that long so one of the best things you can do is check it during your service, either in the fall or spring. Tilt it all the way up and turn it side to side look in the folds for cracks. When you start seeing small ones its time. This and a yearly drive pull to check for water in the bellows will save you thousands over the years. Same deal like checking the CV joint boots on your SUV or front/all wheel drive car for cracks. Exactly the same issue. I check those at each oil change. The newer Jeep and the Subaru. The old school '98 Jeep has manly u-joints in the front axle, not CVs lol. and BTW they are all original, 18 years and 167,000 miles.

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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

What's the reasoning for that? My 180 sits on the trailer when not being used. I've never heard anyone say this before.

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1999 180 Horizon OB Fisherman Pkg
2013 Grand Cherokee 4x4 w/ 5.7 Hemi
San Antonio, TX

Me either... never loosened the bow eye or transom straps.

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"Knot Easy" 2000 Horizon 240 Volvo 5.7GS /SX
tow: 2017 Honda PILOT EXL-AWD
prev. boats:
'87 Chaparral 198CXL 4.3 OMC Cobra
'69 Jetstar 16ft Ski Boat, 115hp Yamaha
'68 Aluminum Jon Boat, 3hp Sears
'64 Water Wings

I've heard it and do it myself. No reason for tension on that hardware when it's sitting in your garage / barn / driveway.

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-Andrew

1984 Four Winns 225 Sundowner
5.0L Mercruiser, Alpha 1

The straps are to hold boat to trailer while bouncing down the road. Having that constant stress on bow/stern eyes while parked serves no purpose. Only thing it would accomplish is bad.

I leave them hooked up so it takes all of a minute to tighten before hitting the road again.

I had a Sea Ray years ago that developed spider cracks all in the gel coat around bow eye

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


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

It sounds like it could be a good thing to do but for me they're just other things I can potentially forget to tighten before taking off for a day on the lake.

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2008 H210 5.0 MPI
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 5.7L V8

It is like the plug.....you will only forget to do it ONCE:)

Doing this has been a part of my routine forever....I do have to do this all alone, because if someone starts to help it screws me up

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


08' H210SS
VP 5.7Gi

Definitely part of the routine. Hitch up the boat. Tighten up bow straps and transom strap, remove chocks. uncover the boat. Turn batteries on, raise drive, put in plug, etc.

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-Andrew

1984 Four Winns 225 Sundowner
5.0L Mercruiser, Alpha 1