How to Operate a Stern Drive

[boatgrunt]

Can someone post the "do's and dont's" of operating a stern drive? For example, I've read not too run the engine with the stern drive up, but then how do you adjust your plane (assuming no trim tabs)? I've also heard that you should not be gentle when shifting into gear? Stuff like that I would like to hear the experts weigh in on in addition to any other tips relative to stern drive operation.

 

[lilmandavis]

Re: How to Operate a Stern Drive

running with the drive "all" the way up is not good. taking your time on shifting gives more time for the clutch to grind. dont hit the shifter with a base ball bat but a good firm full shift. a slight pause between forward and reverse is good to.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: How to Operate a Stern Drive

Lifting the drive up adjusting your plane will not get it high enough to hurt anything.Running the engine with it all the way up will put bigtime stress on the drivetrain...

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: How to Operate a Stern Drive

On a Mercruiser?<br />Don't run the engine ever in the trailer 'up'position...<br />Keep an eye on the trim gauge, stay out of the red while the engine is running unless it is an emergency situation & then only at idle.....<br />You will kill your u-joints....<br />What lilman says is true.....<br />Never run the engine without a suppply of water....JK

 

[milkyway]

Re: How to Operate a Stern Drive

Your trim mechanism must have a limiter which will not raise the outdrive any higher than what it should be for plane purposes. This is the purpose of the trim switch. Do not use the trailer button to adjust plane for you will eventually raise the outdrive past its safe point.

 

[KRS]

Re: How to Operate a Stern Drive

lube and service (get a manual), good luck

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: How to Operate a Stern Drive

Or, <br /><br /><br />"Just run it until it blows"<br /><br /> and buy another one!

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: How to Operate a Stern Drive

Ive never owned a sterndrive until now and you have mentioned something that caught my eye, "Running the engine with it all the way up will put bigtime stress on the drivetrain... " you are not eluding to trimming up the drive to get maxium rpm (just short of blowout or cavitation) are you?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: How to Operate a Stern Drive

No Tail-Gunner..i meant running it with the drive all the way up..

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: How to Operate a Stern Drive

I had to ask....... iv'e missed a few thing's and have had a few surprises. One of the most frustrating and simple was a cold start issue. I couldnt get the damm thing to fire up without a lot turning over ... chokes working...gas pressure is good.... timing's and plug's ok.<br /><br />Then i read a post on pumping the the throttle a few times........ duh So used to efi in car's i had forgotten a very basic step with a normal old carb...

 

[lilmandavis]

Re: How to Operate a Stern Drive

lol

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: How to Operate a Stern Drive

I never realized for the first couple times that pushing the throttle all the way forward one time sets the choked closed....<br />I was the same way...DUH!!!