How do you remember drive down /up

[harrisg]

I see a lot of info about people forgetting to put transom plugs in when launching but how do you remember whether the outdrive is down when you leave the dock and up before you put it back on the trailer. I have visions of getting to the top of the ramp with part of the skeg missing. This is my first boat that I've had to worry about that. The others were always in the water full time. To compound this, my switch doesn't have an indicator to show the outdrives position. So how DO you remember?

 

[ZmOz]

Re: How do you remember drive down /up

I don't.

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: How do you remember drive down /up

Stick a label on the switch?<br />Stick a label on the dash of your vehicle?<br />Tie a knot in your ......?<br /><br />Use a memory aid that will work for you.

 

[OBJ]

Re: How do you remember drive down /up

Install a trim gauge. What's in your rig anyways?

 

[Ron G]

Re: How do you remember drive down /up

Habit when i put the boat in the first thing i do is trim down,when i put on the trailer i raise it up,just becomes habit espicially after hereing that skeg drag once

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: How do you remember drive down /up

Make yourself a check list. Once you got it down, then it will be automatic for you.<br /><br />Would be nice if someone made an accessory that when the key is removed from the ignition that the outdrive would automatically raise to the trailer position.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: How do you remember drive down /up

I'm with RonG, it automatically becomes habit once your skeg get some damage.<br /><br />SS Mayfloat> that wouldn't be too hard to come up with. the question is how many peoples would paid for it and go through the trouble of putting it in. I can imagine it right now only I'll make it better, how about when key in off position trim goes up. I almost never take the key out of the ignition, avoid loosing it.

 

[dingbat]

Re: How do you remember drive down /up

Easy:<br />1. Key stays in the switch <br />2. Plug stays in the transom<br />3. Raising motor is my brain in autopilot<br /><br />Turning off the washdown pump is my problem.<br />

 

[lakelivin]

Re: How do you remember drive down /up

Originally posted by SS Mayfloat:<br /> ...Would be nice if someone made an accessory that when the key is removed from the ignition that the outdrive would automatically raise to the trailer position.

EXCEPT the general recommendation is that you store your boat with the drive in the down position since its alot easier on the bellows. Would need a 'bypass' option to accomodate this.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: How do you remember drive down /up

When you forget the first time, you will never forget again.<br /><br />Drive onto the trailer, motor OFF, drive UP. <br /><br />Just gotta program yourself.<br /><br />Incidentally, I can't imagine not having a trim indicator on my boat...you must have a rather old rig. I use it all the time, even while driving to get the best ride and performance. Might want to consider installing one if you can.

 

[sergioy]

Re: How do you remember drive down /up

Checklist is your best bet. But just in case, leave your windows down and keep looking at your mirrors, and pay attention to any noise. This is a habit I have developed after making several goof-ups: plug(s), dragging skeg, left motor still running... With the window down I can lsiten for dragging noise, or someone trying to yell something at me. And looking at the mirrors is how I caught the fact that my motor was still running when I was pulling out of the ramp.<br /><br />And actually all of these things can be avoided by TAKING your time, don't get in a rush.

 

[flashback]

Re: How do you remember drive down /up

look over the transom. don't trust the gauges...

 

[dtherrien]

Re: How do you remember drive down /up

I will always do everything in like my own order when i trailer, launch, and retreive.I know my motor is in the up position when i launch because i have to remove my transom saver.when in the waterthe first thing i do before starting motor is trim down....and always check where you motor is when you put your hand on the key.And when coming to the ramp when you are done boating, i always raise my motor and remove the key.....i never power load my boat...always float it off and on....even if it means getting wet.

 

[reddog349]

Re: How do you remember drive down /up

I cant tell you how many folk ive seen do that. On the other hand Ive seen alot of folk trim all the way up with the motor still going ...opps!

 

[swist]

Re: How do you remember drive down /up

Another disadvantage of stern-drives. My outboard position is obvious just by looking behind me.

 

[djvan]

Re: How do you remember drive down /up

It doesn't help anybody remember, but when I pull my i/o out I turn my tow vehicle to the left and watch the mirror, if I can see the drive it is not up all the way. This has saved me once or twice. Sometimes I leave the drivers station quickly to avoid too hard of a dock rub, and forget to go complete the outdrive lift.<br /><br />DougV>