This is a general, maybe stupid question, but i'll ask it anyways. My boat is currently in winter storage and i had a chance to check it out yesterday and notice the trim has settled about an inch since in storage. I left the drives down, but not all the way down for winter storage. The boat has never sat in the water overnight and trim didn't show sagging at all last summer when i had it on the trailer. It is an older boat 1989 with Alpha One drives.

Should I be worried? or could it simply need fluid? I can have my mechanic check it during spring start-up, but just wanted to get some opinions...Thanks.

Is it summer yet?

1 st thing is check you power trim reservoir fluid level and make sure the fluid looks good - no water mixed or in the reservoir. Also look for leaks at your trim pump and the trim rams along with all the trim line connections.

I have seen sometimes with big temp swings the seals can leak ( shrink & swell) but will be ok at springtime.

During storage it is highly recommend to store your drive in the down position. One it puts less strain on the hydraulics, 2nd - puts all bellows back in their natural state - NOT stretched out,

also storing the drive down keeps all the bellows and outer shift cable portion out of the elements. sun, ice, rain and so on.

Next is by storing your drive down will prevent your bullet (thru the prop area) from freeze break if it fills up with rain or snow.

I would worry about drive bleeding down if in fact it does in the spring time. Proper fluid level and condition is important and no leaks. Too low of fluid levels and or leaks, when that happens air enters into the system causing the bleed down. Next if everything checks out, it could be the valve body itself going bad or was contaminated with water.

Thanks for the info!

It is stored indoors but is not heated, and here in MI the weather can get pretty cold, it was single digits back in mid Nov... during the summer months the drives both were solid while sitting on trailer. Makes me think it is expansion and contraction in rings and seals. No noticeable leaks @ pump or rams. I will have mech look at it in spring time for any contamination.

It's not a perfect world. If it takes months for the drive to settle a little,I don't think I'd start thinking of things to repair. If drive will hold trim position on the water under load..then..Don't worry be happy

Thanks motor!

Drives hold solid all day running under load last summer. I' m not to worried about it, but I am this week going to hook batteries back up and lower both drives for the remainder of the winter. Thanks again for the feedback.