Damage to trim cylinders/outdrive

[gozierdt]

I didn't want to hi-jack the "Break out another Thousand" thread, but I've been wondering- if you hit something with the outdrive at speed, what happens to the outdrive? IE, is there a safety valve in the trim cylinders that allows the drive to pop up? Or do you tear the outdrive leg off the back of the transom? Break off the trim cylinder mounting bolts? Or something in between?
TIA

 

[nlain]

Re: Damage to trim cylinders/outdrive

The drive will kick up, newer models the drive kicks up and comes right back down to the original running position, the late 80's, I had one, the kick up and stay up until you hit the trim switch and bring it back down. I am speaking of Merc Alpha drives, that is where my experience is.
Now, damage occurs when you hit some thing like submerged trees, rocks, things like that, then you can open up cases, damage gears and shafts, break skegs off, damage props. The end result depends on what you hit and how hard you hit it.