Trim non functioning

[SkaterRace]

I have a 2018 Glastron GT 185 with less than 50 hours on it, today I was out tubing with family and the trim crapped out on it. Currently, the trim is fairly down - needed it that way to run in the waves and tube - so I didn't notice it till we went to do a few higher speed laps at the end. I noticed it wasn't responding to trim right but chocked that up to the waves being bigger and me not noticing right. Well pulled the boat out and my brother yelled at me when the skeg hit the gravel. I guess he said it was low and cleared the cement ramp by less than an inch.

The engine is a Mercury 4.5L 200HP with the alpha one drive. I tried to push it up but no luck - kinda expected that. What I am wondering is how I can lift the drive up enough to make it back to a mechanic or the dealer to get this repaired. Is there a way of getting it up enough to drive with or am I going to need some other solution?

 

[GA_Boater]

Remove the fasteners holding the trim cylinders to the outdrive, above the prop. Put the fasteners back on so they don't get lost and wrap a rope or line around the exposed shaft, lift the outdrive until the skeg has good clearance and tie off the rope. Then run a rope through the eyelets on the trim cylinders, lift and tie the rope off.

 

[SkaterRace]

Remove the fasteners holding the trim cylinders to the outdrive, above the prop. Put the fasteners back on so they don't get lost and wrap a rope or line around the exposed shaft, lift the outdrive until the skeg has good clearance and tie off the rope. Then run a rope through the eyelets on the trim cylinders, lift and tie the rope off.

Thanks will give this a shot and see how it goes. Happen to know what tools I should bring with me? The boat is about an hour or a bit more away so need to bring everything I need in one go if I can.

 

[GA_Boater]

I can't tell what the nuts look like, except round. Maybe they are covers. A couple of crescent or adjustable wrenches should do the trick.

Got a Mercruiser dealer close by? Stop and ask them.

 

[SkaterRace]

I can't tell what the nuts look like, except round. Maybe they are covers. A couple of crescent or adjustable wrenches should do the trick.

Got a Mercruiser dealer close by? Stop and ask them.


View attachment 342351

Ah okay those, I think they are pulled in all the way already so maybe I am wrong and the trim is not the issue? I don't have a picture but it looks like my rods match that photo.

 

[GA_Boater]

Pulled all the way in is why the skeg was dragging.

 

[SkaterRace]

Pulled all the way in is why the skeg was dragging.

Huh okay, didn't really realize how it worked I just looked up a picture and seems like out is how it should be. I will follow your suggestion tomorrow morning and see how it goes.

 

[bicklebok]

Do you have a "trailer" switch on or near the throttle control? My Alpha One does. I have had times when the trim switch would not work but the trailer switch worked, so I used the trailer switch to raise the foot.

 

[Alumarine]

Looks like the cylinders use circlips instead of nuts on the front and rear rods for the cylinders.

 

[SkaterRace]

Went and talked to the dealer about what I can do and the service guy told me it is probably electrical not an actual issue. He said to tighten the nuts on the battery and check fuses and if not then call them and he would walk me through taking the trim apart to lift it as GA said. I tightened the nuts on the battery and it worked. Brought my brother to help and sitting on the truck bed said it's moving,I thought he was messing with me, nope loose nut was the issue. I guess maybe a wave did it in?

 

[bicklebok]

Good to hear!