Boat on Lift - Drive up or drive down?

[Massawippi]

Hi,<br /><br />We keep our Regal 1800 on a lift when not using it. I was just wondeirng your opinions on this.<br /><br /> Do you think it would be better to have drive trimmed/tilted all the way up when the boat is on the lift (and the drive won't touch the water that way) or should it be down (some of it touching the water). I don't even know if it matters but I was just looking for some opinions from people who know more than me (which isn't hard ! )<br /><br />Oh yeah, it has the Volvo Penta 4.3L engine if that matters.<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Boat on Lift - Drive up or drive down?

If it was me I would keep the drive down as much as possible just so that the bellows aren't stretched open all the time, I think this may help them last longer.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Boat on Lift - Drive up or drive down?

ditto Boatin Bob

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Boat on Lift - Drive up or drive down?

I'd keep it out of the water and use transom supports to take the load off the hydraulics.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Boat on Lift - Drive up or drive down?

I'd leave it down to preserve the bellows, they are more expensive and labor intensive for the average person to deal with than a little scum from the outdrive being in the water. Its a boat, as long as the lower unit seals are okay, you'll have no problem. Good luck...