Suggestions for outdrive/prop in deep snow country

[tracey ryan]

Hello all. This is my first post here ( new member-been reading for awhile, however) so please be kind if I am posting in the wrong area. Purchased a 1983 Starcraft Islander with a Mercruiser 120 I/O Alpha drive September 11th. Got a good number of runs in, but now boat is out and winterized and just needs to be covered. My issue is protection for the outdrive. It is in the full downward position and a cover over the prop, but it seems "wrong" to me that the rest of the outdrive will be exposed to the ruthless upstate NY winter weather. I would love to be able to store indoors, but that was not an option this year. I worry about snow accumulation, ice , and melting snow entering the raw-water intakes, and anything else you can think of! Although I have been the "first-mate" on many boats for the last 20 years, this is the first time I am the "captain" as well as my first I/O ( outboards and V-drives in past). Any information you can share is greatly appreciated.

 

[garbageguy]

I have used an old plastic garbage can with a cutout upside down over the drive. Maybe remove the prop and grease the spline lightly

 

[Alumarine]

It will be fine. Snow is frozen water.
Many, many thousands of boats spend winters out in the snow.

I leave mine tilted at a 45 degree angle all winter with a small bucket over the prop shaft for good luck.
I know, you're not supposed to leave it tilted but I have a very low trailer. Many people do the same including most shops with no ill affects.

 

[Lou C]

If you can keep it down, that's the safest way to store it, other than removing the drive and storing it in the garage.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Leave it down, 'n quit worryin' 'bout Nothing,...

 

[ziggy]

fwiw, i store my drive off and inside over the winter.
to keep the elements out of the bell housing i made a cover out of plexiglass (i'd think ya can use anything ya want that's flat). if it's an alpha1 drive. i think someone makes a cover if ya want to buy one though.

as for making one. it's pretty easy. use a gasket as a template. cut a hole for the shift slide to go though. then i epoxied a pill bottle onto the plexiglass. i cut some hose to go over the studs then use the regular drive nuts and washers to hold the cover on. if i get lucky, when i remove the drive. the water passage oring stays on the bell housing as does the drive gasket. makes it pretty element proof imho. i've been using this method for quite some time now with good success.

 

[dennis461]

I don't like to think about where the water might freeze and break something.
I use a large heavy duty trash bag, duct tape it to transom, bungee cord around bottom.

 

[tracey ryan]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. Going to try HARD not to think about stuff freezing this winter!

 

[achris]

Gravity is great. Water can't run UP the intakes. Even if the snow is deep enough to cover the whole drive, it's already frozen so nothing left to expand. Once the snow thaws it should fall on the ground. That gravity stuff again.

As Bondo said, nothing to worry about.

 

[youmansjason]

I think it will be fine exposed to the weather, but here's something you could do if you wanted a little extra protection. Get a big roll of plastic wrap, like what movers use to wrap your furniture with when moving, and wrap up the entire outdrive with it.

 

[jimmbo]

Been doing this for 15 yrs, It has survived

 

[Freed64]

I live in upstate NY and use a small tarp I got free from Harbort freight with no issues
]

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... A week or more of -35, -40 in February is common up here,...

There are only a few reasons outdrives can be damaged in extreme low temps,....
'n All are related to water,... trapped water,....

Of course, there's the not drainin', 'n changin' the drive oil, havin' a leak, not knowin' it, 'n the bullet splittin' it's sides due to a cup of water in the oil,...

If the weep-holes that drain the shift-spool cavity get plugged with mud, the leadin' edge of the lower unit splits vertically,....

If the weep-holes that drain the bullet, when in the up position get plugged with mud, it blows the case apart,....

A drive that is in good order, will Not be harmed by bein' out in the weather,....
It's a less severe environment than sittin' underwater 6 months outa the year,....

Then of course there is the Bellows argument,....
Drive Down is My opinion,....
Then all ya gotta worry 'bout is the shift-spool pocket drain,....

 

[H20Rat]

Quit worrying about it! Much like bondo, my outdrive is in the snow at -40 degrees (C or F, take your pick...) I actually would worry MORE about having a tarp around it, too much chance to trap water somewhere and have a puddle form.

 

[tracey ryan]

Thanks again for all your help and encouragement. I LOVE the pic of the boat sitting in the snow!!!