Wet mooring and engine cleaning

[Neil]

I currently have my boat stored on trailer in a local boat club. My wife is completely hacked off with the hassles of launching.<br /><br />As winter approaches ( I am in Oman so its still warm ) the sea will get slightly rougher and not always easy to launch the boat. I have an option to take a wet mooring at another marina. My wife is keen for this to happen.<br /><br />Here is the question.<br /><br />Appart from barnicles, will a wet mooring adversly affect my engine (outboard 140 Evinrude)? Currently after every run I wash down boat and engine and run engines in fresh water.<br /><br />Running the engine will not be possible when it is in a wet mooring so I am wondering if this would be a bad idea.<br /><br />Advice appreciated.<br /><br />NG

 

[Mike M2]

Re: Wet mooring and engine cleaning

Sounds like my wife. She wants me to keep our boat in somewhere next year, why i dont know. I launch it, she just stands there! I personally have a problem with keeping a boat in the water. I flush my stuff every time, and being a mechanic i see what saltwater does to your outdrive all the time. I put a lot of hard work into my boat and like to see it everytime i look in my driveway. I would worry about it sitting in the water. For me, i think it takes just as long to moor a boat as it does to trailer it, so what's the point?

 

[Neil]

Re: Wet mooring and engine cleaning

Mike,<br /><br />It will be easier for me in terms of launch times and sailing times, but as you, I am worried about the salt water. I wonder if I could still flush through with muffs and fresh water and then raise the engine. Than should do it. The berths have fresh water so that is no problem.<br /><br />NG

 

[EVMIII]

Re: Wet mooring and engine cleaning

That's exactly what i do. I keep my 25' Wellcraft Offshore in a slip all season (Mar-Nov). I pull it out about every three trips (fill up with cheaper gas) and clean bottom. I flush after every trip using pier fresh water. No problems so far. Good luck.

 

[FISH'N101]

Re: Wet mooring and engine cleaning

A friend of mine keeps his boat in salwater most of the time. We pulled it out a few weeks back and the bottom was very tough to clean. He was advised to paint the bottom and the sides, up to the water line, with some special paint to minimize barnicles etc. It wasn't that expensive or hard to do himself. So far it seems to be helping. Good Luck either way you go. He flushes at his slip after each use. There is an interesting question however. To options. Motor up and out of the water or live it down. He has been told both. What's your opinion?

 

[Mike M2]

Re: Wet mooring and engine cleaning

I can't imagine why anyone would tell someone to leave the motor down while in the water! Everything that builds up on your bottom will biuld up inside the drive, why on earth do that? Though i've heard it's not advisable to bottom paint your outdrive, i think it's a good idea on I/O's for that same reason. Barnacle biuld up will occur where ever it can, paint it! At least with an outboard you can raise the motor out of the water, so do so allways.

 

[fishthebay]

Re: Wet mooring and engine cleaning

My thoughts.. I have had a boat slip since last May. I keep it in the slip for 3 week cycles and then take it out to (PRESSURE WASH) the bottom, flush the engine, spray everything with Boeshield and put it back in.<br /><br />I store my engine up. Its an 85HP outboard. Since, its an older engine it doesn't allow you to hook a garden hose to the top and do a flush without the engine started like most newer engines do. I have asked hundreds of people about flushing it in my slip on a tilt. 75% do not recommend it.<br /><br />I have found a great reasonable mobile mechanic that tells me to just go down every week if I am not using the boat and start the engine. Let it idle for a while and then store it up. He tells me that keeping water going through the system will less likely to prevent heavy salt water deposits from forming. <br /><br />Also, when you pull your boat out you can buy a liquid at the marine store that you can flush through you motor to break up the salt deposits.<br /><br />My philosophy is to enjoy your boat and since keeping it in a slip allows you to go out a significant time more do for it.<br /><br />If it blows up in a few years, and you paid cash for the vessle - so be it.<br /><br />Have fun...

 

[Neil]

Re: Wet mooring and engine cleaning

Gents<br /><br />Thanks for the input. There are lots of scenarios I can play here. Fishthebay came up with a very good position, get the most and enjoy.<br /><br />I am wondering if muffs will work submerged, I see no reason why they shouldn't. And as I will use the boat more, deposits shouldn't be a problem. As I will also be using the boat for diving, I can keep a close eye on barnacles etc so this shouldn't be a problem.<br /><br />Thanks for the suggestions and input. You have helped me a lot.<br /><br />NG