I'm a liar

[RollerCoastr]

The 280 needs to be fork-lifted onto a rack. I noticed the starboard tab was extended about 3", and it wouldn't retract. Nothing solves that easier than a giant forklift, but I was hoping for a less destructive method. When I hit the button, I heard a gurgle that made me think air had gotten into the system. It's supposedly self-bleeding, but the tab wouldn't move. I had a buddy push upward on the tab while I ran the pump. He couldn't make it budge. Fluid level is fine, if maybe a little high, which could support the air bubble theory?

I gave the forklift operator the heads-up and left to figure out what to do. Apparently the work-around for a stuck tab is to remove the hose off the pump and compress the piston manually, while trying to capture the escaping fluid. Ugh. I decided I'd give the "self-purging" idea another chance by repeatedly running the pump up and down.

Then it occurred to me that the port button, not starboard operates the starboard tab. I had initially started to reach for the starboard drive trim button, stopped myself and went for the starboard tab button. Duh. I pressed the port button until the pump changed pitch, jumped out of the boat to see the tab had retracted. I then did what any self-respecting American Male would do: I found the forklift operator and gave him a thumbs-up announcement that I had successfully purged the air from the lines and the tab was now out of harm's way.

 

[PlayDate]

No need to blame yourself....Bennett wired them backwards on purpose! Additionally, your "buddy" should have seen the other tab moving and called it out.

 

[RollerCoastr]

I have to take the heat (privately). I knew better, and I think my buddy was crouching down so he couldn't see the other tab behind the drives.

 

[wrvond]

Sometimes you just have to shake your head and laugh. No harm done to anything more valuable than your ego. Fun story!

 

[Great Lakes]

Rookie move Roller. It shows your inexperience around boats

 

[RollerCoastr]

Rookie move Roller. It shows your inexperience around boats

lol I panicked at the thought of looking that dumb again in front of the yard guys. The lift drivers in the FL yard had a bucket of garboard plugs bolted to the side of the forklift. They would install one before launching, and remove it before racking because they didn't want the liability of a sunken boat at their docks or a boat full of rainwater collapsing the rack.

The first time these guys lifted her up and headed to the lake without the plug in, they saw it and laughed at me.