Outdrive Storage

[lcmains1]

I have an odd question...

I take my boat to the lake a couple times a month (more if possible) A friend who has had a boat nearly all his life told me that its better to store the boat with the outdrive down. He said that its easieron the bellows and the transom.

I am concerned that I will forget to put it up when I take off with it someday.
How does everyone strore theirs?

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Outdrive Storage

2 reasons to have it always down. a) bellow... yep, much easier on them, and b), freezing. Unless you drop it down, the outdrive won't always drain completely, as well as potentially catching rain/snow melt in the prop hub. Having ice in either location isn't a good thing!

 

[ziggy]

Re: Outdrive Storage

He said that its easieron the bellows

ihmo, this is true..

I am concerned that I will forget to put it up when I take off with it someday.

only you can cure that. don't you do a walk around right before ya drive off with your rig. ya know, check safety hold down straps, trailer lighting, bow chain and which strap/cable secure, trailer safety chains connected to truck, hitch connected securely to trailer hitch on truck, hitch locked in place. DRIVE UP for transport. if not, you should be... you'll catch the drive accidentally being down if you do this every time..

How does everyone strore theirs?

always stored down... totally off duing the winter layup..

 

[BTMCB]

Re: Outdrive Storage

+1 on keeping the drive down whenever boat / trailer is not being towed.

 

[scrit9mm]

Re: Outdrive Storage

how do you store your outdrive during the winter months? assuming you take it off of the boat.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: Outdrive Storage

Change the oil in the lower unit in the fall... not spring. Same with engine oil. Best to drain any potentially watery oil early rather than let it sit and rust things all winter.

Otherwise, as for storing off the boat, I just lean it in a corner with a rag taped around both the input and output shafts with a bit of fresh grease wiped on them just to keep them clean.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Outdrive Storage

I agree with the above. You always store your boat with the outdrive down--to minimize any stretching on the driveshaft, exhaust and cable bellows.

Sometimes, the bellows will come loose under the clamps--and flood the shaft and gimbal bearing.

I also had one boat sink with a slowly leaking bellows when the marina wasn't watching it.

In the winter, I try to cover my whole outdrive, and spray anything rubber with silicone spray.

 

[blifsey]

Re: Outdrive Storage

Always stored our done when we had Glastron. With new OB, I still let it down so water will drain out and it isn't sticking out back side of my aluminum cover/shed. I did pull from cover to middle of yard once to wash boat and the skeg plowed a nice cut into the yard. Made me think it would be useful for trenching to bury cable if just deeper Luckily that was only time and it didn't hurt the outdrive.

I also loosen my winch strap and transom straps. Tightening them and putting drive into towing position is just part of hitching up routine.

 

[Lakemeadan]

Re: Outdrive Storage

Down as far as you can get it and I've never taken off with it down leaving home but have dragged the sked a few times trailoring up at the ramp and its a little flat now. Wow, its been awhile since I've done that I'm getting better.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Outdrive Storage

how do you store your outdrive during the winter months? assuming you take it off of the boat.

like this on a kinda pooly designed drive stand...

but it does work...
i cover the bell housing like this..

home made cover out of some spare plexiglass i had around and a vitimin c bottle glues to the glass.... it also performs work. keeps nasty nebr. winter weather out completely...

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Outdrive Storage

Outdrive down. Really! I have never heard of this.

I have been doing it all wrong since boat ownership.

Dang it!

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Outdrive Storage

Always down.

 

[DBreskin]

Re: Outdrive Storage

Always down. If you're worried about driving off with it down, put a sign on the hitch to remind you. Make it so you have to physically remove the sign in order to hitch up the trailer.

 

[yetiman]

Re: Outdrive Storage

Good info, thanks