Outboard up or down?

[sprocker]

When he boat is docked in a Marina, should a modern outboard be tilted up or left down in the water?

I'm interested to know which method is 'best practice' and why?

[mlines]

I have always believed that "UP" is better with one caveat. Depending on the mounting design this can leave the weight of the outboard "bouncing" (because of boat movement) on whatever the mechanism is for lifting the engine, therefore for longer term lifting some way of taking the strain is needed. This can be as simple as a block of wood inserted into the mount.

[betty boop]

and why most outboard owners have a builders bucket over the drive/prop shaft when its in the marina/mooring?

[Ianfs]

You know, this is a really good question. I would be interested to know if there is a best practice on this one.

For me though any time an engine can be out of sea water must be a good thing, although the skeg end would still have a dip from time to time with waves from passing boats. In freshwater it really wouldn't matter.

As Martin has said, it might be a good thing to have the engine chocked as it were. Also if its a big engine it would be held up by the trim cylinder on trailer mode, but this presents its own issue's with possibility of it sticking if left like it for a prolonged period.

The bucket idea is a good one i.e. the engine would be down but in its own environment and not in water.

[sprocker]

Had a closer look at the outboard I am interested in, (on the boat I am interested in), last night. There are more drain holes than on my Alpha Outdrive, so that when the outboard is fully tilted, it should drain completely, so my nervousness about freezing is now dispelled.

Another walk around our Marina also showed that my initial guestimate of 50/50 outboards up/down, is actually much closer to 80/20 up/down.

Lots do have buckets etc covering the prop, I guess this is for protection against damage from other boats?

So my mind was finally made up last night....we are soon to become the proud owners of another boat........

[Ianfs]

Have you managed to come to any conclusions for best practice yet? Or do you think as I do its a matter of personal choice.

You would think that smaller engines would be out and bigger massive lumps would remain in.

The drain hole thing might be about having a "tell tail", normally at the top of the leg then a drain at the bottom. A lot of outboard guys say that if you are out of the water and you leave it down, it will totally drain down so no anti freeze as in Stern Drive engines!

[mark101]

I leave my engine tilted (up) and between the transom bracket and main body of the engine are two metal chocks. You simply fully raise the engine, deploy the chocks either side of the motor and re lower the engine onto the stops. I guess this is more about taking pressure off the hydraulic ram when stowed for a long time.

I also fully lower my engine to drain out any residual water before stowing in the tilted position.

Mine is kept on its trailer and always used in fresh water before being parked up for extended periods.

One massive advantage for me of outboards, is not worrying about freezing during winter or having to drain off every time.


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[ColinR]

Hi Mark, if you mean those L shaped chocks I wouldn't rely on them when towing. They bend!

I would make up a wooden block to support the leg when on the move. Or something like this

[mark101]

Oh no, there's always something with boats


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[mark101]

How do you post a new topic on Tapatalk? I can only reply


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