Leaving stern drive up during storage?

[SooLineRob]

Hello all,

Newbie question again...

I recently bought a 2004 Four Winns 180 Freedom F/S. This is my first boat, and I'm still feeling my way around it's equipment. I haven't had the chance to hit the water yet (as the new owner!) and the boat is still laid up for winter. I normally leave the stern drive down, but was wondering how long I can leave the stern drive UP.

The boat has the Mercruiser 4.3L and Alpha 1 Gen 2 w/trim cylinder anode (based on length of the piston fully extended, stern drive UP, 9.5"). I installed the T-H Marine Trailering Clips, the ones that clip in place on the piston. I lowered the trim so the weight is on the clips. OK, so now I'm ready for a road trip. I got thinking about storage in this manner ... it keeps an unsuspecting person from tripping over the stern drive walking around the back of the boat in the garage.

How long (timewise) should I leave the stern drive UP with the clips in place?

Thanks again guys...

 

[Stingray312]

Re: Leaving stern drive up during storage?

I always left mine down or removed them,this way there was less stress on the boots and it keeps the trim pistons in the cyl (less likley to form rust and rip the seals when you lower them) also any water in the drive should drain when lowered reducing the chance of freezing. draining the oil also prevents any water in the gearcase that got in from freezing and cracking lower unit

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Leaving stern drive up during storage?

The manual says to leave them down for storage. Look at it this way, when you get to the boat, you will know very soon if your trim motor is working or not.

 

[PSS-Mag]

Re: Leaving stern drive up during storage?

I always lower mine through winter. Just remember to raise it before taking off. I almost didn't this year.... Was hooked up to move it across the yard to mow and just as I put the truck in gear I remembered it was down and in the ground...... would have been not good I'm sure... LOL

During the summer I leave it up so the boat is ready to go, get off work or get a wild hair, hook on and go. Takes longer to get my swim suit on than to have the boat ready.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Leaving stern drive up during storage?

Yep -- I concur -- leave the outdrive as far down as you can for long term storage. It keeps the rubber bellows from taking a set in the up position then possibly cracking more easily when moved to the down positon after months of storage.

The other thing is for winterization you can get some water trapped in the exhaust port behind the prop hub and it won't drain fully unless the outdrive is down.

Finally, as noted, you don't want to drive away with your skeg on the pavement so I used to attach a tag to the trailer jack handle reminding me to install the battery and raise the prop before hooking up.

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: Leaving stern drive up during storage?

Down!! The natural and normal position is down.

 

[SooLineRob]

Re: Leaving stern drive up during storage?

Thanks for the replies ... I appreciate it!

The stern drive has always been DOWN during winter/long term storage. I've only left the drive UP overnight with the clips on, I forgot to lower it after leaving the garage! DOH!!! Sorry if I wasn't clear in my original question...

I was wondering how long was acceptable to leave the drive UP with the clips on ... duration of the road trip, overnight, a week, a month, or an entire season? I'm guessing the answer is "as little as possible"?

Thanks guys...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Leaving stern drive up during storage?

as little as possible"

 

[PSS-Mag]

Re: Leaving stern drive up during storage?

As little as possiable is probably the proper answer, how ever mine stays up with out clips "don't even own a pair" it stays up between trips during season (April-November) and it's 30 years old.

 

[SooLineRob]

Re: Leaving stern drive up during storage?

OK, "as little as possible", but I shouldn't run out of the house at 3AM in a panic wearing boxer shorts and slippers to lower it!

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm not familiar with the "mechanics" of boats yet, namely what doing things like this (leaving stern drive up) would do to the long term health of the various components. I learned about cars and trucks, now I get to learn about boats ... YES!!!

 

[180shabah]

Re: Leaving stern drive up during storage?

OK, "as little as possible", but I shouldn't run out of the house at 3AM in a panic wearing boxer shorts and slippers to lower it!

No need to "alarm" the neighbors.

It will not do any damage to leave the drive in the full up position as long as the the temps stay above freezing. The boots will not take a set, etc, until they are old enough to become stiff and brittle(which means you need new ones). Old wives tale.

The reason that Merc says to lower the drive for long term storage, is so that the drive will self drain, preventing freeze damage.

Like PSS_mag, my drive is up all summer and down all winter.