Adding Trim need advice

[zippy83]

I hope I am in the right place for this one.

I got a older 78 Mercury Thunderbolt 50HP 2 stroke outboard. is it worth putting on an electric trim to it? the local mechanic is asking 500 for the trim and labor. The trim is from an 75 Mercury 80HP outboard. I dont know if it is even worth thinking about this on an old outboard like mine. I would like to have it installed because of the area that I fish in (usually shallow) so I can trim up the motor wne Trolling motor is in use so I dont get all the weeds in the lower unit that will slow my troll down.

What do you guys think?
Can I maybe find this somewhere cheeper and install it myself?
is 500 good deal? taking into considaration that the trim is comming of an motor that is over 35 years old

Thanks a lottttt

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Adding Trim need advice

Used working power trim/tilt units run around 300-400 bucks on the auctions so the mechanic is not hurting you. However, 500 is more than the engine is worth. If you are not in a hurry, you can search auctions and boat junyards for a blown engine with a compatible trim system possibly saving a couple of hundred.

SO: you need to decide--Are you intending to keep the engine for a long time? If not, you will not recoup your investment. You also need to weigh the risk of installing such an old power trim system. I suspect that if it does malfunction, you still could find parts for it, but it would be a lot of fuss and bother.

Weigh the negatives against the convenience then make up your mind. BUT---Believe me: Once you do have an engine with it you will never want an engine without it

 

[JB]

Re: Adding Trim need advice

You might try a CMC T&T unit. . .new or ebay. It would be easily transferred to another outboard in the future.

 

[zippy83]

Re: Adding Trim need advice

Since I just got this boat and took it once out I will have to build confidance that the outboard wont give me frequent issues. I replaced the water pump allready since I noticed that it was wearing out. I guess depending on how it runns in the spring I can determine if it will be worth.