97' Ocean Pro 200 Leaking Down

[solidbob]

Thought my transon was cracking but after closer inspection it seems my Tilt / Trim is leaking down very slowly. Just gives a little crack sound every time it moves a little. Took it to my local boat repair shop ( he's more into Merc's) to see about a fix and he was a little leary and said it could be many different things. Its on my Blue Wave Bay boat so it does see Salt Water on ocasion but is scrubbed down after it is removed and gets a fresh lake water bath on the way back to the house. It gets used 2 - 5 times a year so it has low hours but I am sure the prolonged storage hasn't done it good. The shafts look to be smooth and unpitted with no visible rust as when it is returned home the motor is stored down all the way / no pressure from its weight....but it now seems to leak down.
I'll tackle most anything but don't quite know where to start. No air in system / system is full.
Suggestions?

[Sportwin]

Check the manual release valve to be sure it's tight. If it is, try a new manual release valve next. If that doesn't do it, it's a crap shoot. You could try a new valve body but at that point a new or good used T&T unit is your best bet.

[JUST-IN-TIME]

did u try to bleed it first?