Just installed a Panther 55 tilt and trim unit on my Alumacraft 1648. I discuss that some in my thread below about what was initially for a question on a jackplate install. I got the trim unit with the purchase of a used Yamaha 30 2-stroke. Was said to be slow and noisy but function somewhat. Was able to try it for the first time yesterday with the motor mounted and on the water and it has to work to tilt the motor up in general and wont tilt up at all above anything over forward idle speed in the water. I have it on a good fully charged battery and connections seem clean. When I first started messing with the unit it would barely trim at all even with no motor mounted so I added grease to to the actuator and cycled it a number of times and it actually seemed to work pretty well.
These models use linear actuators instead of hydraulics so I think they are very sensitive to water intrusion and this unit had a cut breather tube in a location subject to motor splash and rain. Does anyone have any experience with these? I plan to remove and inspect/clean the motor first and see what that accomplishes. If the motor seems good then I don't know what to try with the actuator itself. The manufacturer states they are non-repairable which may be true. In the event it does just need to be replaced, they only sell a motor/actuator combo of which the cheapest I have found is about $275. At that point I question whether it is smart to buy their replacement or adapt something from another make or model. It just attaches at the top and bottom with a 1/2" clevis/pin so I would think many ones with the same stroke length may be able to be retro-fitted.
