Starting boat with outdrive up? And water temp question.

[heyttown]

The other day someone posted that its the worst thing you could do was start the motor with the outdrive in the up position.Where we launch the water is very shallow, and have to keep the drive up for about 300 yrds....Was there any truth to the guys postings? I never did get a response.<br /><br />Second question.....1997 searay 175 3.0 alpha 1.<br />after engine warms up, temp stays near 170....Thats at idle for long periods,or WOT....Is that normal.Just bought the boat, and had the impellar changed.At what temp is the motor getting to hot?(just for future reference)

 

[Baldguy]

Re: Starting boat with outdrive up? And water temp question.

Full trim up is bad to start a boat IMHO. You've got the gimble bearing in an extreme angle is the reason. It's really not a good idea to start it in the trailer up position. <br /><br />How shallow is very shallow where you're launching? Depending upon your boat and its draft you may not need that much depth. Having the trim slightly up while at idle in gear is ok, but I wouldn't rev it very much above idle.<br /><br />I have a 5.7 Merc. 170 as a temp is acceptable.

 

[heyttown]

Re: Starting boat with outdrive up? And water temp question.

I would never start the boat in trailer position. I would say the bay is anwhere from 2-3 ft at max, my boat drafts 22"with 1 person...I was just wondering about the trim....the ramp is a little deeper from prop wash, so I can lower it to start, I was just wondering the reason why. Thanks.

 

[Rhadley]

Re: Starting boat with outdrive up? And water temp question.

The other reason not to is that the U-joints are tilted way past the "in-line" position. I would never start the engine in such a position. The shaft and U-joints are turning whenever the engine is on.

 

[ufm82]

Re: Starting boat with outdrive up? And water temp question.

Actually, it's not the gimbal bearing that you need to worry about, it is the U-joints. At full up, they are in a pretty extreme angle. Granted, it's a double cardan joint and has a pretty good range of motion but you can cause excessive wear on them by operating the engine in that position. Keep in mind that the driveshaft turns whenever the engine is running. <br /><br /> Driving your boat in "trailer" position is nearly impossible and you probably aren't doing that. Running with it tilted up a bit to avoid the bottom is fine as long as you aren't firewalling it. Just run it easy until you get sufficient water.<br /><br />UFM82

 

[BF]

Re: Starting boat with outdrive up? And water temp question.

in the area where my Dad boats, most I/O's have a very expensive maintenance schedule... usually new gimbal bearing and u-joints every 2-3 seasons. I think this is because one of the main launches is very shallow, and people out of necessity (and then later, out of habit) start and run with their outdrives quite far up. It's a reason why OB's are better for shallow areas IMHO... my Dad is looking to change his I/O boat for one with an OB mainly 'cause of this problem (and also to get a lighter boat).<br /><br />HTH,<br /><br />Brent

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Starting boat with outdrive up? And water temp question.

Seems like this guy knew what he was talking about. Also 170 is fine.

 

[flashback]

Re: Starting boat with outdrive up? And water temp question.

Heytown, like to point out also that there are two heavy aluminum cheeks that are cast into the gymbal houseing that support the outdrive on the sides when it is in the down position.. in full up they do not so the drive is subject to damage from torque or hitting something....

 

[heyttown]

Re: Starting boat with outdrive up? And water temp question.

Thanks for all the info..........I have been raised on boats, but all have been outboards.A family member owns the boat in question, and I am passing the knowledge on to him, plus learning a few things myself.....<br />Thanks again.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starting boat with outdrive up? And water temp question.

Seems like this guy knew what he was talking about.

<br /><br />Actually, <br />Any temp up to Boiling is "Ok".........<br />But,<br />I Really start getting Nervous at 200*......<br />Normal,<br />Can be anywhere from 150* to 190*, <br />Depending on the Application....................