Hose for Insta-Trim trim tabs

[Jonnybbad]

Hey there folks! I have a set of Insta-Trim trim tabs on a newly acquired 1983 Regal 245XL on which the hydraulic hose is leaking just above one of the hose clamped barbed fittings on the hydraulic trim cylinder. I see the manufacturer sells a specialty hose for this, but I was thinking of using auto parts store rubber/nylon reinforced transmission hose. That specialty stuff is spendy anyways. Anybody have experience running anything other then this fancy "boat leveler" hose?

 

[Jonnybbad]

Re: Hose for Insta-Trim trim tabs

Suggestions anybody? Bumparoo

 

[kencat]

Re: Hose for Insta-Trim trim tabs

I have the same problem with an 89 Carver Montego 25. Hose is split in the same place (must be a weak point). I have been searching for days trying to find what the hose ID is and any other specs that would let me buy a similar hose. Availability of the Boat Leveler hose is not good where I am and we get dinged bad up here in Ontario Canada ($10.00 / ft). I'm searching on Iboats now to see if anyone has found a commonly available replacement at industrial outlets. I don't want to haul the boat out until I have the hose in hand.

Has to be someone who's done it.

 

[Jonnybbad]

Re: Hose for Insta-Trim trim tabs

1/4 inch I.D. 1/2 O.D. You don't have the haul your boat to do it. That is if you slip it and don't want to anyways. Just knock out the clevis type pins on each end (preferably without dropping them into the abyss of course), pull the cylinders and unhook the hose at the pump inside the boat and replace.

 

[kencat]

Re: Hose for Insta-Trim trim tabs

Alright! Thanks Jonnybbad. I see they advertise 2000psi burst and 400 psi operating...gotta match that I guess. Any manufacturer/part number to recommend?

How much force to get those nylon pins out? Do they get damaged coming out ie. reusable? Would be excellent to not have to take the boat out.

 

[Jonnybbad]

Re: Hose for Insta-Trim trim tabs

The Insta-Trim part number is 12728. Its sold by the foot. I sent you a PM about sourcing the brand stuff kencat. If you would like to check out Insta-Trim's website you can get a little more info too: http://www.insta-trim.com. I still am not sure about using anything else. I was going to use hydraulic transmission hose, which should be plenty strong (The trim hose is just held on by simple worm gear hose clamps, can't be more than 30-40 PSI operating pressure I would guess), but I think I'm just gonna bite the bullet, pay a little more and wait for the brand stuff to be shipped to me. I haven't had a reason to take the cylinders off yet, so I cannot tell you how much force will be required to get the pins out, but they are merely nylon. It can't be all that much. I would try a punch and a hammer if necessary being careful. If the didn't do it I would try pressing it out with a c-clamp, punch and a small deep socket. I think I would have to rig up or have someone else hold a towel or something while I do that, because I know I would drop that setup at lease once or twice.