www.iFourWinns.com

I've noticed recently that when I accelerate to get on plane with the drives in lowest position and then raise them a few degrees as speed increases that the starboard drive rises quicker than port drive. When I anchor in shallow water and raise the drives all the way up, the starboard drive reaches thie maximum position about two or three seconds earlier than the port drive. The same is true when I drop the drives. Not a problem if I had dual switches, but my Volvo controls have a single control built into my port gear lever and is thumb controlled. The one switch controls both drives, unlike my previous boat that had dual switches that could be thumb controlled as a pair or individually.

Is there any way to slow / increase the speed of the drives rising / lowering, or is the only solution one involving adding dual switch controls (if available)?

I can live with the differences and use tabs to level the boat out, but am wondering if there is a simple solution out there.

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Ernie Follis
It'll Do II
Four Winns 348 (2005)

I'm surprised that there is only one switch. Doesn't make much sense that they would set it up that way.

Possible causes for different speeds:
1. Voltage difference at each motor. Voltage drops could be occurring from bad connections, worn solenoids, corroded cables etc. You could hunt this down with a digital volt meter. I think this Is the most likely issue.
2. Different condition of the two motors. I'm not sure if these motors have replaceable brushes...if so then new brushes for both of them might help even things out.
3. Differences in friction between the two. Seems unlikely that there would be a difference in friction at the outdrive. Not likely at the lift cylinders either if they look like they are in good condition. Contaminated Hydraulic fluid (is one milky)?
4. An internal leak in a lift cylinder. If the O-ring on the piston of the lift cylinder leaks, it will allow that drive to "leak down" without any oil loss. You did not describe any leak down symptom, so I don't think you have that problem.

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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

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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 also have a similar problem. My port goes up faster then starboard. Problem is, once the port gets up the starboard stops. I also have ONE switch on the throttle that controls both, but I do have 2 separate switches for the trailer position, so I have to use that one to continue to bring the starboard up.

I be curious to see wha responses we get.

Even though mine run at different speeds, I just hold the thumb switch for the extra couple seconds, and while the faster drive squeals a bit at max up or down position, the other one continues and eventually catches up. Rarely do I ever raise it up to maximum position, as I would be grounded!

I only have the one thumb control - no separate trailer switch. Moving BOTH drives through the full range of rotation is done via this one control. I certainly wish it were otherwise.

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Ernie Follis
It'll Do II
Four Winns 348 (2005)

In my experience there can be quite a bit of difference in friction on the ram sliders from one side to the other. I always try to keep/clean anode corrosion dust off the ram slides. Combine the friction difference with the potential for slight pump difference and I think you can see different rates of movement. I don't think it matters very much really.

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GI Auz
2004 288 Vista
Twin 4.3 Merc


Previously:
Beneteau 411 Non-Stink

My drives also move at different speeds. I did notice the pumps do not sound the same. Oddly enough the pump that sounds off is the quicker of the two.

I will be playing with this in the spring.

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2004 - 288 Vista
Twin - 5.0 Volvo Penta GXi DP

Is there a way to install separate trim switches either as a replacement or in parallel to the current trim switch? As I understand with many boats, each engine normally draws fuel from its own tank. Last spring I installed a Lowrance fuel flow sensor in my (single engine) 268 vista. I notice a difference of as much as much as 10 to 20% in fuel economy (mpg) by trimming, even just a little bit (1 or 2 seconds) up from full down at cruise speeds of 26 to 28 mph.

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Surface Interval: A scuba diving term for that time between dives to relax and prepare for life's next great adventure.

Current boat: '02 FW 268 Vista
Previous boat: '95 FW 190 Horizon