Winter Storage Tips

[nuboater]

I have a pontoon with a Merc, 4 stroke, 60hp, big foot. I plan to keep it in the water at my covered slip.
Our Missouri lake does not freeze, but we can have some nights with temps in the teens and many 20's.
I have added stabil but am confused about whether I should tilt the motor out of the water or leave it submerged. In looking around the marina I find about half of the pontoons have their prop in the water and half don't.
Over the next few months I plan to start the motor every few weeks or so.
My question is about that lower unit..Should I lift or not?

 

[lncoop]

Re: Winter Storage Tips

It's too bad you don't have her on a lift, because the best thing is motor in full down position so any water that might collect will drain back out. That said, since you're not dealing with the extreme midwest type winter weather I wouln't worry about it too much. The only advantage I can think of to leaving it tilted up is less crud on the foot. Whatever you decide, as long as you keep up with the LU maintenance (lube change, impeller, etc.) you'll be fine. You noted that you added Stabil, which is a good idea, but did you run the motor long enough and at enough RPMs to get it circulated through the innards? If not, you'll want to do that. Good luck and welcome aboard.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Winter Storage Tips

Since you will see overnight temps below freezing, I would leave the lower unit down. The risk being that if water were to remain in the lower unit and freeze, it could be a costly repair.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Winter Storage Tips

Since you will see overnight temps below freezing, I would leave the lower unit down. The risk being that if water were to remain in the lower unit and freeze, it could be a costly repair.

Isn't the risk of water freezing in the LU just as great if it's submerged (not a rhetorical question)?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Winter Storage Tips

If the water doesn't freeze, neither will any water that's in the leg. If there is water above the lake level water line (highly unlikely on an outboard) that would be subject to freezing since air temperatures are in the teens. A bucket of water sitting on the dock will freeze in those temps but the lake would not since it would take several days of temps in the teens to get above 32 degree water at or below 32 degrees.

 

[nuboater]

Re: Winter Storage Tips

Great info!!
I was thinking the same way so far as the lower unit not freezing if the water didn't. Next time I go down I'll get a water temp just to compare with the air.
I did run the stabil through and I plan on doing the annual maint in March or April. At that time I'll also detail and decrud. I've found that very little additional crud grows much after October, but I have plenty left from the summer.
It's been a great first season and I've learned a lot from this forum..Love the 4 stroke, but I wish I'd gone for the 90 over the 60. I was warned..

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Winter Storage Tips

Yep. I've never heard anyone on this forum, nor any of my boating buddies say they wish they had gotten a smaller motor.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Winter Storage Tips

I just got a 24'er with a Merc 90 on it and plan to replace it with an Evinrude 40. We're on a small inland river with little current and 90% of the time just idle around. My old 16'er had an 18hp on it. We never use the boat to actually get anywhere so would prefer the smaller quieter more fuel efficient engine. Plus I'm an OMC fan.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: Winter Storage Tips

I have a 90 HP two stroke Merc.on our 24 ft'er and we like it very much. I'd kept it if I were you. If you ever sell it you'll get much more for it. No body wants a 40 hp any more except you.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Winter Storage Tips

Resale is something I had not though much about as it's not in the plan as of now... But then you never know...

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Winter Storage Tips

I just got a 24'er with a Merc 90 on it and plan to replace it with an Evinrude 40. We're on a small inland river with little current and 90% of the time just idle around. My old 16'er had an 18hp on it. We never use the boat to actually get anywhere so would prefer the smaller quieter more fuel efficient engine. Plus I'm an OMC fan.

What year is the merc? I'm looking for a 90.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: Winter Storage Tips

I just got a 24'er with a Merc 90 on it and plan to replace it with an Evinrude 40. We're on a small inland river with little current and 90% of the time just idle around. My old 16'er had an 18hp on it. We never use the boat to actually get anywhere so would prefer the smaller quieter more fuel efficient engine. Plus I'm an OMC fan.

Well you are the first.... And with a good reason I might add.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Winter Storage Tips

What year is the merc? I'm looking for a 90.

Mid 80's. I haven't had it in the water yet but it ran well on the muffs. Pic included.

 

[nuboater]

Re: Winter Storage Tips

I just got a 24'er with a Merc 90 on it and plan to replace it with an Evinrude 40. We're on a small inland river with little current and 90% of the time just idle around. My old 16'er had an 18hp on it. We never use the boat to actually get anywhere so would prefer the smaller quieter more fuel efficient engine. Plus I'm an OMC fan.

I see why smaller is better for you, but our lake has about 800 to 900 miles of shoreline so getting there reasonably quick is part of the game. The 60 is fine for everything else we do, but when I see home base is just a little speck on the horizon, I'd love more HP.
I must admit I'm happy with the economy of the 4str 60--I can hardly believe how long that 32 gal tank lasts. I'm always eye balling the tank thinking that the gas gauge can't be right, but it is.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Winter Storage Tips

What's your lake, nuboater? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[nuboater]

Re: Winter Storage Tips

What's your lake, nuboater? Inquiring minds want to know.

Table Rock..Bet you've been here??

 

[lncoop]

Re: Winter Storage Tips

Table Rock..Bet you've been here??

Had a feeling you'd say that. You would win your bet. I was raised along with two siblings in Harrison by a pastor and a school teacher. Somehow my old man scraped up enough nickels to procure an old V-hull Arkansas Traveler with a 35 horse Lark. The rig was old then (thirty years ago), but it was a tank. I thought it was the most beautiful boat on the lake. He kept it at Cricket Creek Marina. Most Saturdays we'd drive up for the day in his 68 Chevy pickup, but occasionally we'd camp at the park. Still don't know where he found the funds for all that, but I know he'd agree with my brother and me that it was worth every penny. So yes, I've been there.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Winter Storage Tips

I just picked up an Arkansas Traveler this fall with a '62 Lark 40hp on it. Look anything like this? It's pretty tank-ish also!

 

[lncoop]

Re: Winter Storage Tips

I just picked up an Arkansas Traveler this fall with a '62 Lark 40hp on it. Look anything like this? It's pretty tank-ish also!

Don't think it was that nice LOL! Ours was aluminum.

 

[samo_ott]

Re: Winter Storage Tips

That nice? The windshield got crushed by the snow. The interior is rough. Only paid $300 for it. But it runs great after a bit of work. I didn't know AT made em in aluminum. Cool. This is my second fibreglass AT.