engine height

[Joker2]

Well pulled the boat for the season today, upon inspection I found the cause of the rattle. A while ago I had a rattle and found out it was my trim rod rattling when I went over 2000 RPM's because the water was pushing up against it. I used 5200 all around where the trim rod goes through the bracket, rattle was gone, used it all summer, no rattle. Well the 5200 let go and the rod is loose again. I think when I raise the engine I won't have the water forcing up against the rod and therefore no rattle. By the way do I need that trim rod? it doesn't seem to do anything, even when I lower the engine all the way down it doesn't touch. Thanks