trim / trailer setting

dfgtye

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 24, 2003
Messages
44
1988 Merc 4.3 185hp Alpha outdrive<br /><br />I know the trailer setting ( when I raise the outdrive from the forward controls) is at full up. Where should the tilt setting be? I completed several repairs on the boat and had to take off the bell housing and trim senders. During testing after reassembly, both trim and trailer brought the outdrive all the way up. I have re-adjusted the trim so that the sceg is even with my keel at full up. Trailer will bring the outdrive all the way up. Is the trim setting right?? Or should it be still lower in the water. My manual says never to run the boat with the prop higher than max trim , but it does not mention what that position, should be. Thanks. MJS.
 

djvan

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 3, 2003
Messages
411
Re: trim / trailer setting

Don't know if it is the proper way to set it up, but here's how I did mine.<br /><br />Take boat out and run it wide open (or close to it), adjust trim using the trailer button until max speed is obtained (without porpoising) if it starts to porpoise trim down a little. Shut engine down, take a tape measure and measure from the out drive to a tow eye (or two fixed points, one on the drive one on the boat). Now when you take the boat out of the water you can use your tape measure and adjust the trim using the numbers you got while in the water. This will get you really close, after that you may have to play with the adjustment slightly to get it right on. <br /><br />Again, I make no guarantees that this is the correct way to do this, but it seemed to work well for me.<br /><br />DougV>
 

tommays

Admiral
Joined
Jul 4, 2004
Messages
6,768
Re: trim / trailer setting

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<br /><br /><br />tommays
 

Trent

Captain
Joined
Nov 17, 2001
Messages
3,333
Re: trim / trailer setting

Max trim on that year drive is 21 3/4 inches. This is measured from bolt hole to bolt hole on the trim cylinders.<br /><br /> web page
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: trim / trailer setting

Go to page 4A-11 of the Merc service manual (link below). It shows you how to adjust the trim limit switch.<br /><br /> http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6A4R3.PDF <br /><br />Tommays<br />Your link is for an Alpha I Gen II Drive, and dfgtye has an earlier Alpha I.
 

dfgtye

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 24, 2003
Messages
44
Re: trim / trailer setting

Thanks everyone for the help. This is exactly what I needed. I'll finish up tonight and hope to be back in the slip on Saturday.<br />much appreciated.<br />MJS.
 
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