Prop cover for winter storage?

[TJDave]

Just curious who uses them. Did you buy one, or make your own? My boat has been winterized, oil changed in motor and outdrive, fogged, antifreeze ran through it, and battery removed. But, the outdrive is in the up position. The servicing dealer says it is no problem and the antifreeze will drain out of the outdrive if I put it down. Does this sound right? I do not want snow and rain to enter prop and freeze. My previous boat I winterized myself, and put the outdrive in the down position.

Any thoughts and comments are appreciated.

 

[109jb]

Re: Prop cover for winter storage?

Put it down. Who cares if some anti-freeze runs out? If some runs out what takes its place is air and air doesn't freeze and break things. If you leave the prop up then rain water can get in the lower unti and can't get out. If it freezes then it can bust your lower unit. Stored down, nothing can get in there and if anything did (horizontal rain??) it would just run out the back end of the prop.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Prop cover for winter storage?

Personally I would keep the outdrive down so that it can naturally drain. You don't want water to accumulate in there and freeze.

I would also remove the prop for two reasons.

1) keeps anyone else from helping themselves to your prop
2) a good excuse to remove it and lube the splines once a year to keep if from seizing on the prop shaft

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Prop cover for winter storage?

Stainless Steel props look nice on the fireplace mantle in the off season

 

[JimS123]

Re: Prop cover for winter storage?

Just curious who uses them. Did you buy one, or make your own? My boat has been winterized, oil changed in motor and outdrive, fogged, antifreeze ran through it, and battery removed. But, the outdrive is in the up position. The servicing dealer says it is no problem and the antifreeze will drain out of the outdrive if I put it down. Does this sound right? I do not want snow and rain to enter prop and freeze. My previous boat I winterized myself, and put the outdrive in the down position.

Any thoughts and comments are appreciated.

You need a new servicing dealer. Obviously, he doesn't know what he's doing.

Outdrive up for long periods will stress your bellows and shorten the life span. Big bucks to replace.

Put water in the prop in the up position and the lower unit will crack over winter. Big bucks to replace. My next door neighbor did that and it cost 2 grand for a new lower unit. The "servicing dealer" refused to pay. His problem was that it was serviced off site and then shrink wrapped, so when he got it home he couldn't lower the outdrive bacuse that battery was already out and it was shrunk tight. The worst part beyond the 2 grand was the oil spill all over the driveway.

Anti freeze running out....that's the funny post of the day....LOL.

 

[rwidman]

Re: Prop cover for winter storage?

You need a new servicing dealer. Obviously, he doesn't know what he's doing. .

Correct. The dealer is giving bad advice. Put the drive down and leave it down.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Prop cover for winter storage?

Also in down position the tilt/trim rams are retracted and the shiny parts are protected by oil in the rams.