Trim Up or Down When Parked?

[Mountaineer67]

Well, here's the ultimate noob with his first of probably hundres of questions. When parked in the driveway - or stored for the winter -should the trim on the boat (an I/O) be all the way up or all the way down? I know up when trailering, but is there a preferred position when parked?

I guess I'm just looking at those shiny metal rods and thinkin about them being exposed to the weather...

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Trim Up or Down When Parked?

I let my I/O down when I get home I have new bellows and hope to keep them good for awhile, so keeping them un-stretched seems better.

For the winter you are suppose to take the drive off and then the bellhousing which the drive bolts too would float free.

 

[cribber]

Re: Trim Up or Down When Parked?

I keep my I/O trim down so that there is the least amount of the S/S shafts exposed and pulling the most fluid back into the reservoir releasing the back pressure on the hydraulics from the weight of the I/O hanging there. So far so good with this approach and my drive trim stays put without losing pressure when out on the water.

 

[dennison17]

Re: Trim Up or Down When Parked?

I have owned outboards and I/O's for 40 years and always kept the outdrive down as much as possible. I can't ever recall having an issue with an outdrive and I think I can attribute that to frequent oil changes.... as well as keeping the drive down (pressure off the system) when not needed. Just my two cents worth...

 

[Mountaineer67]

Re: Trim Up or Down When Parked?

Thanks guys - bunches. I thought that might be the consensus, but I wanted to make sure.

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: Trim Up or Down When Parked?

down allows the water to drain out of the i/o and the ob, but do jack up the bow on a cinder block first to max drainage of the bilge.

 

[jokaj]

Re: Trim Up or Down When Parked?

Trim down to drain the water out. Also, my mercruiser manual recommends storing the boat with the trim down. Make sure your tires are in good shape and inflated. I have seen boats (in storage facilities) sitting on their skegs because the trailer tires have deflated.