stern drive storage position

[nightvision]

Hi all,
What is the best position to store my stern drive during long periods of storage. I'm under the impression that lowering the sterndrive to the lowest possible position is best for the bellows. In addition, one would want the stern drive to be straight and center of the transom. Is this correct?

Thanks.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: stern drive storage position

yes.

 

[ziggy]

Re: stern drive storage position

yep, down sounds right to me. good for the bellows and don't allow snow to fill up the exhust exit in the center of the prop, thus haveing water in the very bottom of yer exhust when the snow melts and then refreezes. don't know if straight is all that critical, but easy enough to do. guess i don't store mine turned. so straight is good...

 

[Prin]

Re: stern drive storage position

I think down would be good, but I have stored my unit in the up position for 21 years and have never had a problem, so I do not think it is critical either way. I also leave it in the up position between outings (I store the boat on a trailer at home).

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: stern drive storage position

the guys in the i/o forum say to store them all the way down, takes stress off the bellows, and every thing else. also drains the impeller, leaving it up the impeller holds just enough water to freeze. alot of people jack up their trailer inorder to get the drive all the way down. some people even pull the outdrive and store them in the garage or basement, for the winter.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: stern drive storage position

Speaking of the bellows, on the older mercruiser, replacing those suckers is one heck of a job for a layman. BTDT

Interesting Prin that yours has lasted 21 years and has been stored in the up position also. Live and learn.

Mark

 

[stevieray]

Re: stern drive storage position

I agree with Prin - the bellows is designed to stretch & flex & storing it up should not be a physical issue. UV & ozone have the worst effects on elastomers, so I think it is more important to cover it up as best as you can. If water or snow will get on it, definitely store it down.

 

[Boomyal]

Re: stern drive storage position

Speaking of the bellows, on the older mercruiser, replacing those suckers is one heck of a job for a layman. BTDT

TM, specifically what do you mean by 'older mercruiser'?
I'm a new owner of an 'older mercruiser' and need to get up to speed on various non-OMC specifics.


IMHO, as the bellows are exposed to the various elements that cause it to lose it's elasticity and thereby begin to split, leaving the drive in the neutral position will apply that deterioration evenly and cause less stress when the boot is flexed.

 

[cbavier]

Re: stern drive storage position

My owners manual Mercruiser says always put it (the sterndrive) in the down position as low as possible when storing for any long periods of time. It takes the strain off the bellows and transom and_____? It also warns about keeping it covered so that snow and Ice doesn't get into the Pee holes and exhaust vents. My book also recommends a Transom saver when towing. So there must be a lot of stress with the outdrive dangling off the back of the boat and especially bouncing in transit. I don't have a transom saver now but am thinking of getting one. I put the outdrive down if the boat is going to be out of the water for more than a two or three days. I have to have someone watch and tell me when to stop since I can't see it because of the swim platform blocking the view.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: stern drive storage position

very simple to add a t&t transom switch.

 

[cbavier]

Re: stern drive storage position

tashasdaddy

I sent you a couple emails. How do I get my email address out of my users name? I have tried and I guess I'm either just too dumb or not finding the right place to remove it.

 

[cbavier]

Re: stern drive storage position

Tashasdaddy what do you mean by t&t switch . I assume you mean trim & tilt. That wouldn't do much good because someone has to watch the ground. I do have the guage on the dash. I have thought about marking the indicator with a felt tip marker when the outdrivge is at the right position to the ground. I don't suppose it would vary that much. Enough to make a difference anyway. But it does give a person on the ground something to do to make them feel important and like they are really helping.