Maybe my turn for new boat time

[alldodge]

Called dealer a few days ago and he said bring it in, well that isn't going to happen unless I have to. It's 3 hour round trip times 2, not counting how long again it will take. So about 2.5 months to get the pump replaced and they didn't make sure the trim was working correctly before giving it back

When I first started using it the SB motor was full down but display showed it up about 15 degrees. After messing with it a few times it's landing about 5 degrees.

Contacted @muc and he helped me out but also mentioned I should post this on the forum. I agree and I should have, so here is what he sent me

From muc
What worries me is that the trim display changed as you were using it. I'm not 100% on how this system works, but it isn't like MerCruiser --- no mechanical adjustment and it uses a magnet.
This is what I would try.
Trim the motor up about 1" from full down and then put some weight on the anti-ventilation plate to see if there is any movement. Merc allows something like 1/8" to 1/4" but there really shouldn't be any. This will check to see if there is air in the system.
Then KOEO and run trim full down and continue holding down button for 5-10 seconds after you hear the pump hitting the pressure relief, then hold up button full up until 5-10 seconds after relief. I think this is how the trim sender is calibrated but not sure.
Next is to perform the CONFIGURATION PROCEDURE on page 35 of the active trim op and install manual
.
If the display keeps changing, I would guess that the sender is bad or the magnet is somehow moving. Might want to check that someone didn't forget to install the trilobe pin at the top of the ram.

So my plan is to run the full down then apply load, then bring it full up
Might try that a couple times then see if it will fix it self

 

[alldodge]

Did the above and trim looks better. Have not gone out on the water yet to try but looks promising. Normally don't go out on Labor weekend but might try tomorrow early

 

[alldodge]

Late follow up and something new
Boat ran well all season, trim gauges in sync. End of season 2024 while changing the gear lube I found some water on the port side. There wasn't much but that was the reason at end of this season (2025) I wanted the dealer change it.

Took it in a couple days ago and got a call today. Dealer said the drive was ready to come apart and when they grabbed the prop shaft water poured out. The tab washer (item 31) was not bent in to hold the retaining nut. This being a CCW prop helped back the nut off.

Merc is replacing the lower. I would have noticed it doing it myself but with dealer doing it there was no question of me doing anything prior

The paint is pealing off the starboard lower and Merc is sending them a how to with paint. Most likely they will say rough it up and use rattle can, so sometime in the future more paint will peel and I will have to fix

Warranty expires this March

 

[Scott Danforth]

Well, that sucks. glad its being covered under warranty.

 

[aspeck]

Definitely glad warranty is covering it. Good for you that you chose that route ...

 

[tpenfield]

Wow AD . . . this boat won't leave you alone.

 

[alldodge]

Wow AD . . . this boat won't leave you alone.

My thoughts also
Keep looking at a used Formula 310 OB, might be doing a trade if I can find the right one

 

[tpenfield]

My thoughts also
Keep looking at a used Formula 310 OB, might be doing a trade if I can find the right one

good choice . . . IIRC, it is a more narrow beam and 22˚ hull . . . . Twin 300's

 

[bruceb58]

And you bought his type boat to get away from sterndrives!

When it comes time to buy my new Cobalt, its going to be hard to switch to outboard.

 

[Stinnett21]

Late follow up and something new
Boat ran well all season, trim gauges in sync. End of season 2024 while changing the gear lube I found some water on the port side. There wasn't much but that was the reason at end of this season (2025) I wanted the dealer change it.

Took it in a couple days ago and got a call today. Dealer said the drive was ready to come apart and when they grabbed the prop shaft water poured out. The tab washer (item 31) was not bent in to hold the retaining nut. This being a CCW prop helped back the nut off.

Merc is replacing the lower. I would have noticed it doing it myself but with dealer doing it there was no question of me doing anything prior

The paint is pealing off the starboard lower and Merc is sending them a how to with paint. Most likely they will say rough it up and use rattle can, so sometime in the future more paint will peel and I will have to fix

Warranty expires this March

Can't tell from the diagram, I'm an A1G2 guy. Is the tab washer you reference above the one that locks the prop on after it's tightened? Just tryin to understand. So it's believed with a counter rotating prop it spun loose and this is what caused the water intrusion?

 

[tpenfield]

@alldodge . . . Here you go . . . a F-310-BR on display last fall at a boat show . . .

Pricey . . .

.
I have not seen many on the used market (looked quite a bit last year), but maybe there will be some coming along.

 

[alldodge]

Can't tell from the diagram, I'm an A1G2 guy. Is the tab washer you reference above the one that locks the prop on after it's tightened? Just tryin to understand. So it's believed with a counter rotating prop it spun loose and this is what caused the water intrusion?

The lock nut is item 30 and lock tab is item 31. Once nut is tightened the tab is bent to hold the nut

 

[alldodge]

@alldodge . . . Here you go . . . a F-310-BR on display last fall at a boat show . . .

I have not seen many on the used market (looked quite a bit last year), but maybe there will be some coming along.

New is always pricey an new always list MSRP, and looking into performance V8 300 and V10 350 isn't much due to added weight

Been in discussion with Formula in Decatur but they have no used currently. Sent me links to a 2025 with V8 and 2026 with V10
V8
https://www.myformula.com/sales/hullinfo.html?HullId=TNRD3209K425
V10
https://www.myformula.com/sales/hullinfo.html?HullId=TNRD3337J526

 

[aspeck]

Gee, alldodge, both of those are sweet. Just get one of each. If you need an extra captain, give me a call ...

 

[Pmt133]

I have to say... those prices are a lot more reasonable than I had expected. Still way out of my budget but not outrageous.

 

[alldodge]

Don't know what they would sell one actually for because a 2 year old with V8 is selling in the 280K range. So they sell much less or there is one heck of a deprecation.

 

[bruceb58]

Don't know what they would sell one actually for because a 2 year old with V8 is selling in the 280K range. So they sell much less or there is one heck of a deprecation.

Right now, 30% off is easy on a Cobalt. Not sure what Formulas are but I bet similar.

 

[Scott06]

Right now, 30% off is easy on a Cobalt. Not sure what Formulas are but I bet similar.

yeah it seems like prices on boats are down across new and used. Good time to buy if you have the cash

 

[Pmt133]

If I could get 30% off a house that easy that'd be great.

 

[bruceb58]

yeah it seems like prices on boats are down across new and used. Good time to buy if you have the cash

I bought my 2025 Bennington Pontoon last August 30% off list. Boat sales are currently WAY down.

I always pay cash for boats....cars too for the most part unless they are offering a really low interest rate which ios less I am making in a money market account.