Re: kicker left in water
no point in testing it; raise the motor for nothing else but to reduce drag.
the leg itself wouldn't be hurt but you are putting a lot of unnecessary stress on the tilt lock.
The prop will be spinning at the same speed as if it were driving the boat that fast. While the LU and gears can probably take the speed, you are again just putting unneccessary stress (age) on those parts, including breaking down your LU oil. You are also pushinjg back against the prop nut and those parts.
When you're running a 225 on a plane, the water coming out under the hull is like concrete. Obviously your 225 is taking it, but with some compensating force in the other direction. Plus its wear and tear is necessary. Not so for the dragging kicker.
