Keeping outboard leg submerged in salt water

[andymach23]

I got a new boat and ran into problems with my marina as my boat plus engine is slightly too long for my salt water berth.

The marina have just agreed to let me keep my berth but on the condition that I keep the motor, 2000 Yam F80 4-stroke, in the fully down position, to reduce the overall length.

I always flush my motor after use and keep the leg fully up and clear of the water.

I know that keeping the leg in the water is far from ideal. Anyone any suggestions? Should I try and fit an extra anode to the casing?

The sea water is cold in the UK if that makes any difference?

I know the paint will corode easily, but how will the internals of the leg cope?

Could I get lucky and have minimal corrosion or will the leg be toast after a couple of seasons?

Any thoughts?

Andy

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Keeping outboard leg submerged in salt water

heavy plastic bag, tilt it up was it down, bag it, lower it.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Keeping outboard leg submerged in salt water

The gearcases are pretty resistant to the effects of salt water. Millions of I/O are in the water 24X7, without bad effect.

Make sure you grease the prop shaft before installing prop. Inspect the zincs and replace when necessary. It could be 3X/season. depending on the electrical activity of the mooring area. Keep the other grease fittings pumped up with grease as well. Coat the LU with antifouling paint. Flush the powerhead internally with freshwater, but leave the motor down. Check the water intakes for clogs caused by barnacles.

Skip TD bag trick. You will forget it and kill your motor.

 

[andymach23]

Re: Keeping outboard leg submerged in salt water

Thanks for the replies. TD, I was thinking about the bag idea, but am not sure how easy it would be putting it round the skeg with the motor tilted up. I'll keep it mind and try it out.

Chris, that is very true about the outdrives. Thanks for pointing that out. I feel a bit better about this now. If I had just bought a brand new motor I would be more nervous about this. Overall though, I am glad to keep my marina slot.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Keeping outboard leg submerged in salt water

My suggestion is to find a new marina. Your motor is too expensive to leave it imersed in salt water all of the time.

 

[ovrrdrive]

Re: Keeping outboard leg submerged in salt water

I agree with the bag idea...

Those 55gal bags are pretty thick. If you go to take the boat out and forget you bagged the motor you're probably too stupid to boat anyway and deserve to burn up your motor.

I'd flush, washdown, give a light WD40 spray and then bag it up.

 

[andymach23]

Re: Keeping outboard leg submerged in salt water

I agree with the bag idea...

Those 55gal bags are pretty thick. If you go to take the boat out and forget you bagged the motor you're probably too stupid to boat anyway and deserve to burn up your motor.

I'd flush, washdown, give a light WD40 spray and then bag it up.

The wife never gets near the boat so the bag would probably work out fine.

Whats the 55 gal bag like? Is it something out of Home Depot? Mybe the same thing is available in the UK.

I've been looking at poly bag suppliers on the web and can only see large quantities on a roll so far.

I've ordered up some spray on clear outboard leg antifouling (TK?) incase I decide to go down that route.

Thanks

Andy