Bad News

Michael T

@pault216. I have braced drives two different ways. When just trailering the drives for a short distance I have used Mercury drive trim ram braces. They are basically a piece of hardened plastic about 8-10 inches long. You may have seen them on boats. I think the oem Mercury are red and some other manufacturer's are blue. They can be cut to several sizes. They snap onto the SS rods of the trim tabs, then you back off the drives using your trim button letting the plastic snap-ons take the load. When a boat is professionally hauled I have seen a number of ways to take the stress of the drive weight off the transom. Most involve fixing the drives to the boat via straps. You don't block the drives to the hauling trailer (although I have seen that done) as the boat could move against them (up and down) which would be worse, in fact that could damage the transom! When I put my boat up for the winter I let the drives all the way down and then just tap the trim button(s) up to take the pressure off the trim hoses. BTW when I am not in my boat and it is at the marina for the summer I always leave the drives down. Doing this also takes stress off the bellows and cables. For 99% of us using the snap-on plastic pieces and leaving our drives down is all we will ever need to do. But for long hauls the drives (I/Os) should be secured. These are just my opinions based on my experience but they have served me well.

Handymans342

Thanks Al. The gimbal is good and they are installing a new transom plate and all new bellows. 3 to 4 grand

luckydog

Now that’s good news for bad luck that’s good luck, Time to bring home and tryout your now boat lift

pault1216

Thanks MT. I have used the clips for years for transport and use a 2" clip for storage to keep the drive from touching the ground. Glad to hear an answer Handyman. Wish it was cheaper...but then it is a B.O.A.T. Conversations and internet searches sounds like it could have been a wear/deterioration issue. Good luck and let us know the final analysis.  Paul

Handymans342

This seeems to be an issue with Rinkers regrdless of the engines.

Black_Diamond

Can't see how that is a 'Rinker' problem. How old are the bellows?  

Michael T

Al, Steve's living in retirement haven, all those guys are loaded (look at his world class dock and boat lift) and fair game LOL!

Handymans342

Will see the total damage this week hopefully.

Handymans342

Al, its a lot of labor @$110 an hour. The inner plate is $440 plus all the bellows and other parts involved. I also had to pay to haul and block again plus a sea trial to do a prop slip test. 

pault1216

I would say from Handyman's bad experience that I should now incorporate an inspection of the inner transom seal and plate in my used boat search. I am guessing this is better left to a marine mechanic versus a surveyor? Maybe a GoPro on a stick could get to the area in question...

Michael T

@pault1216 That sounds like a smart plan Paul! Check twice, pay once!

Handymans342

Paul, it could also break the week after you buy it and it could be cracked and not leaking. 

pault1216

This is very true Handyman...but if it is detected BEFORE I buy it I think that helps with negotiation...and I need all the help I can get!

Handymans342

You cant find everything. I cant tell you how much my surveyour missed

pault1216

100% agree. I have too many doubts about how thorough they are especially for what they charge.

raybo3

Yeah but they find things that you would not think of. Its like anything there are good and there are bad..........

Dream_Inn

I've gone along for my own boats as well as friends & have always found more things than the surveyors.  Had to have them for insurance reasons.   Made me think about becoming certified myself.

Handymans342

Al, please include all the work as described and not just the transom plate.

Black_Diamond

I bet you are pulling all the bellows to do that job anyways, so really only parts and no labor that was not being done anyways. Just my .02

Handymans342

I will post the invoice when I get it next year.

Handymans342

Wow Al, I didnt think you could be so nice 

Dream_Inn

Really Handy???  Someone that does this stuff for a living and then comes on here in his spare time to help others.  Thought about removing the comment, but figured I'd leave it to since you'd like to show who you are during this holiday time.

Black_Diamond

I've personally met Al and his son Thaddeus, both great people, knowledgeable, and willing to help out with great advice.  Nothing more to be said.  More people like them makes the world better. 

Handymans342

Dream, Really? I used a smiley face. You guys are way too PC for me. 

raybo3

Cant we all just get along???????? LOL

Handymans342

This marina only has a lift and very little room. Everytime they bring the boat out its so much per foot. They also have to take off the engine cover/ back seat. I am trying to explain the invoice for AL. This marina is one of the best and honest around here. 

Michael T

Guys, we should all be used to Steve's sense of humor by now - I think Al gets it! .....and yes, Al is a great man. He was instrumental in making sure my Axius joystick got moved from my armrest to the dash. I owe Al and Randy my appreciation far more than I can say on here - even with my long posts. LOL

BTW - we own the toughest boats on the market - Rinkers - we should have pretty tough skins too, right?

BellevilleMXZ

Alswagg said:

No offence taken here.   Merry Christmas.  Now let it snow!!!  I have 5 sleds ready to hit the trails plus many of our friends sleds.   

No snow either? Temps is 50 here, its crazy.

pault1216

Good luck Al. It was 65 degrees here in Indy today and you are pretty close.

Handymans342

Merry Christmas Al oh and DI too.