Drive all the way up over winter?

[ryanr623]

When I picked up my boat, while it was still under shrinkwrap (including the drive), i noticed that the dealer had it trimmed all the way up. Maybe it was so they could shrinkwrap the drive as well, but i always heard its bad for the bellows and joints to store trimmed all the way up, at least during winter..

Should I be concerned? I'm a little confused because it's a big name, beautiful dealership. I can't believe they would do this. I noticed all the other boats stored this way over the winter as well. Should i call and complain?

 

[JWebber]

Re: Drive all the way up over winter?

How old are the bellows on the drive? if new I would not worry to much. If some what old then it would be concerned.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Drive all the way up over winter?

How old are the bellows on the drive? if new I would not worry to much. If some what old then it would be concerned.

I'm not really sure. They look decent, and they checked it all out before I took delivery. I guess I will find out the first time i'm on the water for longer than 5 minutes!

 

[Don S]

Re: Drive all the way up over winter?

Most dealers leave them up over the winter. Batteries are either disconnected or shut off, boats are covered, etc. Boats may have to be moved around at times, depending on room and when the boat is going to be picked up in the spring.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Drive all the way up over winter?

Most dealers leave them up over the winter. Batteries are either disconnected or shut off, boats are covered, etc. Boats may have to be moved around at times, depending on room and when the boat is going to be picked up in the spring.

I guess what I am asking, is since they shrink wrap the drive as well, does that take some of the stress off of the joints and bearings? And should I change the bellows?

 

[Don S]

Re: Drive all the way up over winter?

There is no stress on the ujoints and bearings. They are just sitting there doing nothing.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Drive all the way up over winter?

There is no stress on the ujoints and bearings. They are just sitting there doing nothing.

OK thanks! For some reason people always tell me to never store it all the way up for a long time, because it puts stress on certain parts, like joints and bearings.... and ruins your bellows.

 

[Don S]

Re: Drive all the way up over winter?

If you replace the bellows every 5 years, you shouldn't have any problem with bellows either.

One good thing about this "age of information' is that you can hear lots of stuff. Mostly on forums, your problem is trying to figure out what is true and what isn't.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Drive all the way up over winter?

If you replace the bellows every 5 years, you shouldn't have any problem with bellows either.

One good thing about this "age of information' is that you can hear lots of stuff. Mostly on forums, your problem is trying to figure out what is true and what isn't.

Couldn't agree more! I'm an avid bodybuilder, and the parroting of misinformation on the bodybuilding.com forums is unbelievable! Some of it can be downright dangerous! Luckily I've studied up for years by myself and weeded out who are the idiots on that site, as with this site. I only heed advice from the respected people on this site, such as yourself, and bond-o and the such.