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Up or down?
https://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=15072		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Lumpy_Coal [ Sat Jul 30, 2016 2:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Up or down?
Should I leave my out drive up or down while parked at a dock or anchored.
Author:  LouC [ Sat Jul 30, 2016 3:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Up or down?
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.
Author:  rpengr [ Sat Jul 30, 2016 6:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Up or down?
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.
Author:  TX H210SS [ Sat Jul 30, 2016 6:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Up or down?
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.
Author:  babbot1 [ Mon Aug 01, 2016 9:43 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Up or down?
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.
Author:  LouC [ Mon Aug 01, 2016 9:57 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Up or down?
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.
Author:  kmack [ Mon Aug 01, 2016 12:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Up or down?
TX H210SS wrote:
....for those who trailer we also release tension on bow eye strap and transom ties when parked.


What's the reasoning for that? My 180 sits on the trailer when not being used. I've never heard anyone say this before.
Author:  rpengr [ Mon Aug 01, 2016 1:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Up or down?
kmack wrote:
TX H210SS wrote:
....for those who trailer we also release tension on bow eye strap and transom ties when parked.


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

Me either... never loosened the bow eye or transom straps.
Author:  Vintage Beauty [ Mon Aug 01, 2016 9:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Up or down?
rpengr wrote:
kmack wrote:
TX H210SS wrote:
....for those who trailer we also release tension on bow eye strap and transom ties when parked.


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

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

I've heard it and do it myself. No reason for tension on that hardware when it's sitting in your garage / barn / driveway.
Author:  TX H210SS [ Mon Aug 01, 2016 11:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Up or down?
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
Author:  Camrox [ Tue Aug 02, 2016 9:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Up or down?
rpengr wrote:
kmack wrote:
TX H210SS wrote:
....for those who trailer we also release tension on bow eye strap and transom ties when parked.


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

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


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.
Author:  TX H210SS [ Tue Aug 02, 2016 1:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Up or down?
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
Author:  Vintage Beauty [ Tue Aug 02, 2016 1:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Up or down?
TX H210SS wrote:
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


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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