Raising drive unit in Sea Ray Sport 185

[Jmpiccoli]

Took our new 185 sport out for the first time and all went real well....the only problem is we can't seem to raise the drive unit more than 4 inches above the ground....I know it was higher than that when we trailered it home from the dealer......engine off, boat in neutral, any other suggestions?
Thanks for any advice you can give to the "newbies!"

 

[dothanfrogman@gmail.com]

Use the trailer trim button.

 

[blaster]

It may be a seperate button or the up switch has 2 up positions.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Yup - single button, but two "positions". Push harder.

 

[edjay]

your one lucky guy. trailering home with your drive 4 inches from death and it made it home ok. as others have said trailer button.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Wait, I misread. You're saying it WAS all the way up, and then it leaked down? And now you are trying to get it up, but it won't go? Is the trim motor making noise? Check for leaks at the fittings - inside and outside. Check your fluid level.

 

[ckonon]

I think he meant that it was higher when he first brought it home, now it's not as high after first use. I have a 2011 185 Alpha 1 with a single switch, it has 2 positions, you just have to push harder on the up button and it will raise it all the way up, and i'm pretty sure it has to be in neutral for that to happen. On a related note, is it safe for the boat to idle in gear with the drive raised up that high? I found myself in some pretty shallow water last weekend and needed to raise the drive up pretty high to keep it off the bottom. I've seen people with drives raised all the way up like that actually giving throttle and shooting water in the air.

 

[Lazy Daze]

On a related note, is it safe for the boat to idle in gear with the drive raised up that high?

It's best to never have the engine running (even in neutral) when you are out of the trim range. The knuckles of the u-joint start to hit each other and you're putting undue stress on the gimbal bearing. It's not to say that you can't cheat a little bit, but just a little! And don't do it all the time. If you're in that shallow of water, you'd be best to get out and walk it or paddle.