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I have a 1987 4Winns Sundowner 215 that I am getting ready for the Great Lakes Boating season. I have been going thru and making needed repairs and improvements and trying to give it a good looking over. For any of you familiar with older 4Winns like mine, can you tell me if Trim Tabs were usually installed at the factory or in the aftermarket? The upper brackets of mine appear to be sealed with silicone (of doubtful integrity) and I'm just wondering whether the factory would have sent it out like that.

As always, I appreciate your help.....

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1987 Sundowner 215
Mercruiser 230/V8 - Alpha One Gen 1
Previous Boat
1973 Starcraft 21' Chieftain 120 HP Mercruiser I/O
PADI Master Diver
IANTD Technical EANx Diver
Commercial Pilot
Flight Instructor

I think I answered my own question. No way would 4 Winns install trim tabs the way they are on my boat. A little siicone around the bolts...that's it! It took nothing at all to turn the screws out. I'm glad the PO stored in on a trailer and not in a slip - I suspect there would have been more damage.

I removed the tabs, cleaned them up, drilled the holes out one size and ground a concave depression into the top of the transom holes (to form gaskets.) I then squeezed some 4200 into and around the holes. To finish I installed the tabs with larger and longer screws.

Fortunately I'm not finding too many things like this but am determined that when I launch this year she will be as ready as I can make her. Yeah, I know it's a 31 year old boat and nowhere near the equal of what most of you operate but she is well made, and handles as well as any boat in my experience.

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1987 Sundowner 215
Mercruiser 230/V8 - Alpha One Gen 1
Previous Boat
1973 Starcraft 21' Chieftain 120 HP Mercruiser I/O
PADI Master Diver
IANTD Technical EANx Diver
Commercial Pilot
Flight Instructor

Definitely not factory. Also- nothing wrong with an old boat. My '84 is still going strong and looks great on the water.

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-Andrew

1984 Four Winns 225 Sundowner
5.0L Mercruiser, Alpha 1