motor position while boat is home

[C-Roy]

Is it better to lower you motor after you get home to the downright position or leave it up like you had it while towing or does it even matter? My boat mechanic says it doesnt really matter. Anyone have an opinion on this?

 

[tommays]

Re: motor position while boat is home

i put mine down because it lets me use the trim system before i leave giveing a pretty good idea that the battery is still ok <br /><br />tommays

 

[umblecumbuz]

Re: motor position while boat is home

Hi C-Roy,<br /><br />The one argument that I've heard often is that if you leave it up, the outer seals on the propshaft (the ones closest to the prop) could dry out.<br /><br />Can't see it myself - just repeating folklore here. <br /><br />When I line up my top fill plug on the gearbox, it's above the level of my outer propshaft seal when the motor is raised, so if the oil level is right, the seal should stay immersed. I can't say if this applies to every motor.

 

[Triton II]

Re: motor position while boat is home

My owner's manual (Yamaha FT60B four-stroke) states that the motor should be "stored" upright. Maybe it depends on 2 or 4-stroke?

 

[SteveRay]

Re: motor position while boat is home

Outboard or Sterndrive????<br />I have read a many things that say to store the outdrive in the down position. This reduces stress on the bellows and it also allows any water that may be in the drive to drain out through the drain holes.

 

[SteveRay]

Re: motor position while boat is home

Outboard or Sterndrive????<br />I have read a many things that say to store the outdrive in the down position. This reduces stress on the bellows and it also allows any water that may be in the drive to drain out through the drain holes.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: motor position while boat is home

I say store it down, regardless of what it is. Here's my reasoning:<br /><br />4 stroke outboard: Motor oil is pooled low in the motor (in the oil pan, if you will), if it's tilted way up on a 45 degree angle, there's potential for oil to be pooling up under a cylinder, slowly creeping past the rings and seeping through seals and going other places it shouldn't go. If carburated, fuel in float bowls may be going places it shouldn't be as well. Besides, would you consider storing your car or lawnmower on a 45 degree angle? Not usually...<br /><br />2 stroke outboard: Many have an oil reservoir high on the motor with a cap. Tilt it up 45 degrees with a full oil reservior and oil may likely leak out slowly around the cap if it's not a perfect seal. A possible mess and a waste. See above notes regarding fuel in float bowls.<br /><br />Sterndrives: The rubber of bellows and water hoses have memory, and don't like to be stretched on one side and compressed on the other for a length of time. Also increases surface area possibly exposed to UV rays and can accellerate bellow rot.<br /><br />I also agree for all 3 types that you want any trapped lake water in the exhaust and water intake to drain out, particularly if the'res a chance of a freeze. And I agree with the theory of keeping gear oil in contact with the seals as much as possible to keep them lubed. Besides, when the motor is lowered, it takes less storage space.<br /><br />I can think of no practical reason in favor of leaving it stored tilted up, other than saving 2 minutes of time.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: motor position while boat is home

Originally posted by Triton II:<br /> My owner's manual (Yamaha FT60B four-stroke) states that the motor should be "stored" upright. Maybe it depends on 2 or 4-stroke?

So how do you interpret this? I say an "upright" motor is level, not tilted. So to me that says keep it stored in the DOWN position, right?!<br /><br />I'm confused, too!

 

[Triton II]

Re: motor position while boat is home

Yep, Craze1cars, the manual says upright and the little picture on the side of the motor shows you they mean with the motor trimmed down and the AV plate level. The trouble is the engine cylinders are horizontal, so I was confused at first, now I'm clear.