Bow Down Stern Up

[Hornblower]

I’ve been spending some time at my marina lately, detailing and getting to know my new used 260DA, and I’ve observed a few smaller < 28') boats get shrink wrapped, last one I saw was a 1999 Sea Ray 250DA.

The whole procedure seems fine except that before they start the wrapping they fork lift the boat into position with the forward part of the keel set on a sturdy piece of lumber placed on the ground and jack stands at the stern. So the attitude of the boat is stern up while wrapping (Later the boat is then placed back on the rack, trailer or blocks in a "normalized" position).

This keeps the boat close to the ground, and easy to work on, but clearly any bilge water that remains will run forward. More importantly I recall reading (possibly the 260 OM) that it’s not recommended to have your boat in that position as water in the exhaust may drain back into the engine causing rust.

I’m going to ask them not to put my 260 in that position when they wrap mine.

Am I being too cautious? Can anyone confirm that this is a bad idea (Stern up)?

Thanks,

 

[jpk33]

I've never seen that done on any boat shrinwrapped! They just wrap em where/how they sit (small and large).

 

[Hornblower]

I found the reference I was thinking of in section 2.1 of the '05 260DA Owners manual.

 

[berth control]

seems like if it was just while they wrap it then it wouldn't matter. You could fire your motors for just a second after it's out of the water to blow out any moisture in the exhaust, but that's prob. going to do more harm than good. About the bilge water, I always suck mine DRY with a shop vac when I take it out of the water, especially if it's for the winter.

 

[Daddubo]

I would think if you are shrink wraping the boat you would already be winterized and all water would be drained out so there shouldn't be a problem and as far a the bildge goes I leave the plug out all winter on mine and set the trailer bow up.

 

[Hornblower]

I found the reference I was thinking of in section 2.1 of the '05 260DA Owners manual.

Here's it is (cutting and pasting didn't seem to work)

1. Docking/Lifting/Storage
... "When lifting the boat always keep the bow higher than the stern to drain the exhaust lines and to prevent water running forward through the manifold and into the engine where it can become trapped. It may seem expedient to lift only the stern when changing a propeller, bu this can result in water entering the engine cylinders, causing hydorstatic lock and resulting in possible engine failure. Even a small amount of water in the engine can cause rust and is to be avoided"

I'm going to make sure they don't put the bow down when they wrap it as I see them do to other boats.

 

[katricol]

Steve ...I have never seen a boat stored for winter without the stern in the lowest position, so everything can drain on a boat this size.

 

[Hornblower]

I’ve been spending some time at my marina lately, detailing and getting to know my new used 260DA, and I’ve observed a few smaller < 28') boats get shrink wrapped, last one I saw was a 1999 Sea Ray 250DA.

The whole procedure seems fine except that before they start the wrapping they fork lift the boat into position with the forward part of the keel set on a sturdy piece of lumber placed on the ground and jack stands at the stern. So the attitude of the boat is stern up while wrapping (Later the boat is then placed back on the rack, trailer or blocks in a "normalized" position).

This keeps the boat close to the ground, and easy to work on, but clearly any bilge water that remains will run forward. More importantly I recall reading (possibly the 260 OM) that it’s not recommended to have your boat in that position as water in the exhaust may drain back into the engine causing rust.

From my initial post, not stored bow down, just when they shrink wrap boats at my marina. When done they forklift the boat back on the rack at a normal attitude.