www.iFourWinns.com

Should I leave the outdrive up or put it down when I am finished with her for the day? Thanks for your replies Joe from Miami.

Best to put it down to minimize stress on the bellows.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

Great I have been doing exactly the opposite, I hope this bellows doesn't fall apart on me now.

Thanks 230 Mike, more and more I see I shouldn't have jumped into the deep end of the pool on this boating thing. I have never had a boat and I feel like I am doing everything wrong. I guess I will be a good boater some day with experience under my belt like you guys but considering I live in Miami a 12 month boating capital I have yet to meet a club or someone that really knows what they are doing to show me the ropes.

230 mike that is one heck of a beautiful boat you have!! You should be proud I love the color scheme!

Thank you, we like it a lot. Don't worry, getting started is a daunting process but you'll get there. Maybe you could hire a captain at a local marina for a few hours just to go over stuff and show you more of the ropes? Take a class if you can. And don't worry about your bellows; damaging it by keeping the drive up would take a long time. Just remember to put the drive back up before towing.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

EVERYBODY starts out knowing nothing!!! Yes, the USCG offers classes along with the US Power Boating Squadron.

Do you have yacht clubs were you are?? There MUCH cheaper than a marina and you will find "real" boaters, both sail and power that can teach you a lot! It was the best thing I have ever done, was to join. We have members that sail/power down to the Caribbean, around New England and more. Plus, x - USCG or Navy boaters. The wealth in what they can teach you is great and most are very happy to do so.

When I first started boating, I did not know there is a wrong way and only one right way to tie your lines off to a cleat. Sounds stupid but true, and they told me why!! If a storms comes up, and the is a lot of pressure is on that line. You want to be able to remove it with out it binding or pinching which would make it harder or imposable to come off.

Outdrive is down today and everything is tied up tight just in case Irene comes this way. Thanks for a quick answer to my question hopefully I didn't damage anything.

I WOULD not worry about it. When you winterize your boat, have the drive down.

Jafo ==== agree on the down --

but Irene is going to miss us.

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DaleG -- West Palm Beach FL
2003 240Horizon -- 5.7Gi -Duoprop

True she missed us altogether that was great. I pray for all of those in her path.

Yep, drive down and also have the outdrive pointing straight (ish) for the same reason.
Also don't sweat that your new to this, there is a wealth of information available on this forum
Most of all enjoy your boat
Hope this helps

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Ardy
Adelaide South Australia
Red H180 3.0 Merc

Thanks and I am enjoying this forum! I am presently outside in my boat and I am taking a much deserved break from troubleshooting this starter. I am getting my hammer and gonna give it a piece of my mind!!! Hahaha part of boating most people don't see.