Leaving boat in water 4 season. Motor up or down?

[Garynyc]

Hello;

Total noob here with a 2002 19' Starcraft Starcaster with a 135hp Optimax outboard. Were leaving the boat in a freshwater lake for the summer in a marina in Sullivan County NY. We aren't sure if we should leave the motor submerged as if we are underway, or should we trim the motor and have the propeller kind of partially submerged--I don't think we can trim it to the point of the whole prop sitting above the waterline. Currently we left it sitting in the water like many of the other boats.


Thanks for any suggestions,

Gary

 

[dkorzun21]

Re: Leaving boat in water 4 season. Motor up or down?

I think your supposed to leave it down so its doesnt cause as much stress on it. Thats what I was told to do when I leave my boat sitting on ther trailer for weeks at a time, but im really not sure.

 

[imported_John o]

Re: Leaving boat in water 4 season. Motor up or down?

Leaving it up keeps it so much cleaner. Especially if you have zebra mussels in your lake (keeps them out of your motor for the most part).

I tilt mine up and use the mechanical prop on the outboard to keep it up.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Leaving boat in water 4 season. Motor up or down?

In a nice calm lake not subjected to bad weather..... I would always tilt up to prevent the pond scum from building up.

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Leaving boat in water 4 season. Motor up or down?

Leave it up and out, cleaner, drier, etc etc...

The stress on the transom is very little...comparing it to the forces that the engine creates underway...

 

[Shife]

Re: Leaving boat in water 4 season. Motor up or down?

Early spring and fall I check the weather. If temps are dipping below freezing I'll leave it down but otherwise it gets tilted up after every use.

 

[Garynyc]

Re: Leaving boat in water 4 season. Motor up or down?

Looks like the consensus is "tilting" towards an out-of-water configuration.

Thank you all for your experienced opinions...

Gary