External trim cylinder hoses stiff, normal or replace?

[theblockhead]

Should the stainless trim hoses be very stiff? They do move a little but they are anything but supple. I have never seen new ones so I'm not sure if high pressure hoses are supposed to be that stiff or if they are supposed to be loose like braided water supply tubes and these are just past due. Thanks.

 

[fishrdan]

Yes they are going to be stiff, not at all floppy like a braided home plumbing water hose.

 

[MarkSee]

Do you boat in salt or fresh water and how old do you suspect they are?

These are not cheap to replace but if one does get compromised and develop a leak (like my Maxum did) then you'll be pumping oil into the water and water into the oil which will end up needing to flush the water out of the system when you do replace the failed line.

In my case, I just replaced them all when the one failed.

When I later bough the Sea Ray, which was a salt water slipped boat all its life before I bought it, I just went ahead and replaced the 4 trim lines right from the beginning and not worry about it. That is not the cheapest route but made sense to me so I didn't have a line fail and a bad time.

Mark

 

[theblockhead]

They are probably as old as the boat 12 seasons (150 hours). I bought the boat used but I am told it was trailered to fresh water for the first 10 and then salt / brackish for the last two. They are starting to fray a bit so I think I am just going to put on a new set for some piece of mind. I'll start my ritual of spraying with penetrating oil and hope for the best with the nuts.

 

[Alumarine]

If you don't have one already get yourself a good quality Flare Nut wrench to remove the old one's and install the new ones.
I have one that's 7/16" on one end and 3/8" on the other. It seems to fit all the hydraulic fittings. It helps stop the fittings from rounding.

 

[theblockhead]

Thanks, I picked up a set when I had to remove fuel line to the carb. The extra flats make the difference between a peaceful replacement and bunch of cursing when the corners are all gone!