Mooring question, outdrive up or down?

[mikereno1]

We have A 2000 cobalt 206 boat that we keep on Lake Tahoe moored to a buoy. Wondering whether it is better to leave the outdrive up in the trailer position or all the way down while it is moored for the summer. Looking around the marinas here it seems to be mixed with some boats leaving it up and some down. Which is the best way to go? Freshwater very clean lake, usually pretty calm but can't get windy and pretty wavy in the afternoons.

 

[Alumarine]

If you replace the bellows regularly it probably doesn't matter.
It easier on the bellows if the drive is down though.
A hole in the bottom of the bellows will leak much faster with the drive up.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Unless you expect to hit bottom always store with drive down.

 

[tpenfield]

unless you have a depth issue to worry about, keep them down. or at least not in the trailer tilt range. Nothing good can happen.

 

[MRS]

Always down make sure you are deep enough. If up and you do have a leak water will pour in.

 

[JimS123]

Wow, its unanimous and y'all got the right answer.

 

[mikereno1]

Excellent, we have a couple buoys, one of which has plenty of depth this year but our closer in one is only 3-4ft deep this year. Lake level is down about 6 feet this year, really missing those big winters

 

[Alumarine]

3-4 ft with an I/O might be a bit shallow if a storm comes up. Depending on what kind of waves you get there and what the bottoms like.

 

[roffey]

Great question, I have a boat lift and was going to ask the same question. Now I have my answer.

 

[rearsprings]

I keep my boat on a lift, and my local Cobalt dealer strongly suggested to keep the out drive up when on the lift. I have seen other boats at my marina whit the drive down and in the water, and almost all of them have some growth on the drive and props. I suspect it really depends on the local condition of the water and other factors (wind, storms) mentioned above.

 

[shrew]

The question is not about being on a lift. The question is about being on a mooring/dock. Whether the drive is up or down, it will still be in the water, so marine growth is irrelevant to the OP's question.

 

[smokeonthewater]

The reason to store it with the drive down is to not make the bellows take a set in the up position and so the bellows isn't stretched for long periods of time stressing the rubber and shortening it's life span.

 

[Blind Date]

Not sure what kind of creatures you have swimming around in Lake Tahoe but in Minnesota lakes we have muskrats. You moor your boat with the drive up long enough and it will end up on the bottom of the lake eventually. Because they love to chew on gimble rubber. I live on a lake and my SeaRay is always tied to the dock with the drive down.

 

[mikereno1]

I'm keeping it on the deeper buoy, 7ft, to be safe. Bottom is sand but with some big waves the bow gets up pretty good pushing the outdrive into the sand. No creatures inTahoe to chew or attach to bellows luckily. One of the cleanest fresh water lanes around, clarity is about 70ft, max depth 1700ft

 

[littlerayray]

Ok but what about us guys who trailer all the time I keep mine up in trailer position and only drop it over the winter I know if I drop it I will drag my skeg across the driveway

 

[smokeonthewater]

Mercruiser says to store it i the down position... Beyond that it's on you.

 

[airshot]

In regards to us trailer guys...mine is trailered as well, needs to be up when towing down the highway, however....when not being towed the drive is DOWN as recommended by mercruiser. That bellows is a job to change out, so make it live longer by keeping the drive down whenever possible.

 

[smokeonthewater]

If you think you'll forget, paint a padlock red or orange and put it on the coupler when you put it down.

 

[Watermann]

For sure leave the drive in the down position but if you're worried about the bottom and it hitting then you don't have to tuck it all the way.

For the trailering. You should drop the drive after getting home after first disconnecting the trailer from the tow vehicle. Make it part of your ritual for going out. I remove the cover, turn on power tilt the drive up, put on the trailer sticks and turn off the power. Do all of that before you back up to the hitch and you're golden.

 

[JimS123]

Ok but what about us guys who trailer all the time I keep mine up in trailer position and only drop it over the winter I know if I drop it I will drag my skeg across the driveway

If you keep it home in the driveway, then there is even more reason to store it down. Drop it when you get home and raise it before you drive to the ramp. Your rubber will thank you for it.

The ONLY time my OD is up is on the highway, or when the boat is beached.