How to tell position of outdrive?

[inside0ut]

This may sound like a really dumb question...

Now that I got my fuse and my trim works, I'm wondering how to tell the position of the outdrive since I have no trim gauge. When I initially launched the boat, I jumped the solenoids to put (what I think) the trim in the down position. Now that the trim is working, should I press and hold the trailer switch till the outdrive bottoms out? I know it sounds silly, but will the pump cut out automatically or do I wait for the sound to change? How will I know when its full down?...or when I use the trim for that matter too? I have yet to do this or mess with the trim - its my first boat and I have no resources except for you guys lol. I would rather ask and get an answer then go at it and mess something up.

Thanks!

 

[UncleWillie]

What Drive do you have? Mercruiser has had Trim Gauges for a long, long time!

If you TRIM DOWN it will continue until it hits the physical limit, and you will hear the pump pressure bypass valve open as the trim motor strains against the stop.
It will Not stop by itself.

If you press the TRIM UP button to the First Click only, the pump should shut OFF at the upper TRIM Limit.
If you press the UP button to the second Click (Trailer/Tilt UP), The pump will continue until the upper physical limit is reached.
It will NOT stop by itself . Straining sound heard again.

Trimming/Tilting UP/DOWN against the stops will do no damage. It sounds Bad but it isn't.

Never operate the engine with the Drive trimmed above the upper Trim limit. It is very rough on the U-Joints.
If the drive does NOT stop by itself about 1/4 of the way up, repairs are needed.

 

[inside0ut]

Its an 1987 210 Wellcraft with an Alpha 1 outdrive. Thank you!

 

[thumpar]

My old boat didn't have a gauge either. I could tell by the seat of my pants since I could only raise it a few degrees before it would porpoise.

 

[stonyloam]

You use the trim ALL the time to get the best most economical ride. Someone moves up to the bow, re-trim, change from with the wind to against the wind, re-trim etc. Usually trim all the way down to start. when not on plane it does not make much difference, except it will steer better with the drive down. Hit the gas, and the boat will come on plane, start trimming up as the boat accelerates to get the best ride. You can trim up slowly until the boat just starts to porpoise a little then back down till it just stops, and you will be pretty close. from there watch your tach as you make small adjustments. On your tach, trim too high or too low the RPM will drop. Engine speed changes rather slowly in response to trim so make small changes. From there trim for the most comfortable ride. Try to balance your load, side to side. If someone moves up front, adjust the trim accordingly. Anytime conditions change trim the boat. Do it by feel and the tach, my trim gauge has not worked in 20 years, and I don't miss it a bit. Just go out and have fun and play with the trim you will get the feel of it soon enough. Oh yeah, anytime you change speed you will want to re-trim. Slow down, and your stern will tend to sink, so you might want to trim down a little to keep t flat, speed up and you will re-trim to get the best ride.

 

[UncleWillie]

InsideOut, Thumpar....
Do the older Alpha's at least have the Up Trim Limit Switch that prevents trimming up too far unless you press the UP Button to a second click?
Or is the UP Trim Limit just a seat of the pants thing with a bit of good judgment thrown in?

 

[redneck joe]

InsideOut, Thumpar....
Do the older Alpha's at least have the Up Trim Limit Switch that prevents trimming up too far unless you press the UP Button to a second click?
Or is the UP Trim Limit just a seat of the pants thing with a bit of good judgment thrown in?

I have a three button switch, and you press one for the trim part to its limit where it stops, then I have to press two buttons to put all the way up in the trailer position. It's a '79

 

[81 Checkmate]

I have an 86 Alpha....... I do not have a trim gauge.....never was one on the boat. When i launch i hit the trailer button all the way down till i here the pump bottom out...then use the trim button and move the drive to full up position by listening to the pump. Start boat...... Then leave in this postition till i get about 200 yards away from the dock becouse it's shallow...then trim to full down postion..again by listening to the pump.

Hope this helps.....Good Luck!

 

[haulnazz15]

Just listen to the pump for the full down position. Once you're moving, you should be able to tell the drive position by feel and how the hull is riding. I also use the spray from the hull to judge trim position. When I can no longer see it out of the front windshield (only though the side window), I know I've got it trimmed out properly in addition to the steering feel.

 

[Fishermark]

InsideOut, Thumpar....
Do the older Alpha's at least have the Up Trim Limit Switch that prevents trimming up too far unless you press the UP Button to a second click?
Or is the UP Trim Limit just a seat of the pants thing with a bit of good judgment thrown in?

Most boats with Alphas originally came with both a gauge and trim limit switches. And most, that are over a few years old have removed or bypassed both the trim sender and limit switches because the wiring corroded or broke. (And by the way - I am in the "bypass" group myself. ).

 

[telstar1]

Yep you dont need a gauge. All the MC boats Ive owned worked like this:trim to max down then push "up" for 2 seconds. +/- 1/2 second thatll be your optimum position. If you watch your propwash while trimming up youll see the propwash start to break the surface as you raise the drive.Right at that point where it goes from smooth to turbulent is usually your best cruising position.Once you find the sweet spot practice counting the seconds it takes to get there from fully down,and youve got it pegged.