New GT205: no "trailer" position?

[rw99]

Here's another newb question: on my Volvo Penta I/O, there's no "trailer" button or detent on the trim switch... just simple up and down buttons.

I guess I'd assumed that the trailer position on most boat drives provided some extra means of support that relieves load on the trim motor/mechanism during storage and trailering. Not so? Is the trailer position just synonymous with "up all the way"?

And given that my I/O doesn't have such a thing, is there a downside to leaving the outdrive all the way up while the boat sits on my lift? The manuals supplied with my boat are completely generic, and don't provide any info on this topic...

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[frank246]

Re: New GT205: no "trailer" position?

Dont store with the o/d lifted, water can not drain out and can cause freeze damage in winter beside that the bellows are streched that way.
Good luck!

 

[rw99]

Re: New GT205: no "trailer" position?

Thanks for the input. After more RTFM, I did find a section that tells you to lower the drive for storage.

I assume that you'd still leave it all the way up when on the road with the trailered boat... ?

 

[frank246]

Re: New GT205: no "trailer" position?

There for they named it trailer switch, just to trailer.
Leave the o/d down and straight when possible.
Good luck!

 

[qmrichardson]

Re: New GT205: no "trailer" position?

You are correct. The sterndrive is in the trailer position when it is simply all the way up. Leave it up when you're pulling the boat, but when you get where you are going and the boat is going to sit for a while (like your garage) be sure and put it back all the way down. There is no need at all for an extra support bracket to be placed between your stern drive and trailer as there is with outboard motors. These stern drives don't weigh enough to require it. When you store the boat for the winter, make sure the drive is all the way down, as stated above, and you'll be good to go. Are you doing your own winterization?

 

[rw99]

Re: New GT205: no "trailer" position?

You are correct. The sterndrive is in the trailer position when it is simply all the way up. Leave it up when you're pulling the boat, but when you get where you are going and the boat is going to sit for a while (like your garage) be sure and put it back all the way down. There is no need at all for an extra support bracket to be placed between your stern drive and trailer as there is with outboard motors. These stern drives don't weigh enough to require it. When you store the boat for the winter, make sure the drive is all the way down, as stated above, and you'll be good to go. Are you doing your own winterization?

No, I'll be using the boat this fall (California weather ) and taking it in for its first service once the temps start to dip below 40F. I'll have them winterize it, I guess, even though I might start using it again after a couple of months...

 

[qmrichardson]

Re: New GT205: no "trailer" position?

I recommend doing all the services and winterization yourself. You would be shocked at how easy it is. I bought the SELOC service manual for my 2007 right here at the iboats store, and it taught me everything I needed to know for about $45. My local boat shop charges $250 for winterization. Now that I know what exactly they do, I can assure you it isn't worth $250.

 

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

Re: New GT205: no "trailer" position?

I have the same boat, pretty much everything is covered above. I am having my dealer winterize mine this week. Hopefully its not $250 bucks... wowza. I'm doing the oil change myself which is saving me $56 bucks I know that much.

 

[qmrichardson]

Re: New GT205: no "trailer" position?

I'd rather winterize it than do the oil change. There are only four drain plugs and three hoses to drain for winterization... I refilled my engine with RV antifreeze for added protection (at the advice of my local dealer). He says that every year people who do their own winterizations come in with busted engines because a water patch will be left in there... the RV antifreeze ensures that won't happen.