Re: Is it Better Up or Down?
Winterized outboards should ALWAYS be stored down to allow them to drain properly. Trapped water freezes and breaks things. Whether winterized or not, storing the engine tilted down would be better since the tilt rams would be retracted and therefore wouldn't rust or become pitted. For trailering, tilted down is best but if there is not enough road clearance, use of a transom saver is recommended to keep the motor from flopping around and exerting stress on the transom. Other than the above concerns, injected 2-stroke motors don't care how they are stored. 4-stroke motors should always be stored according to the manufacturers instructions when off the boat (as in small outboards). This is because crankcase oil can leak out and really screw things up. As for tilting, again they don't care except for the above concerns. Long term storage the engine should be stored down for all of the reasons indicated above. In nasty water you would be best off tilting the motor out of the water and hosing it off frequently. In those instances you are not likely leaving the motor in that position for extended periods so it shouldn't bother.
