Do you leave stern drives up or down when leaving?

[Bridog]

Just curious if you leave them up or down when leaving the boat? I would think "down" to lessen the strain put on the trim cylinders and to prevent marine growth. But what if your in a shallow marina? What do you do? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Brian

 

[MLauman]

Down for the reasons you mentioned as well as the life of the bellows. My slip is a constant 10 feet so I can't comment on the shallow issue.

 

[RiverRat]

I leave mine down but my boat is on a lift. How shallow? As long as you don't have the drive on the bottom of the harbor I would leave it down. Around me, if you don't there are vermin out there that will chew holes in your bellows and also your trim hoses (if they aren't braided stainless). :smt100 :smt013

 

[chuck1]

Down :thumbsup:

 

[Dave S]

Leave them down for all the reasons given unless that is not possible. Also make sure they are straight and not turned as well because that also relieves strain on the bellows.

In our marina we also have muskrats and they love to chew on rubber parts like bellows. If the drive is not down and straight (which pretty much cover up the bellows) you risk the "big gnaw". :smt043

 

[Sea Ray 300]

Leave them down for all the reasons given unless that is not possible. Also make sure they are straight and not turned as well because that also relieves strain on the bellows.

100% agreed. :thumbsup:

 

[STIHLBOLTS]

If it is that shallow you might consider a lift. :grin:

 

[Nehalennia II]

Leave them down for all the reasons given unless that is not possible. Also make sure they are straight and not turned as well because that also relieves strain on the bellows.

100% agreed. :thumbsup:

That's what I do as well. Bridog, how shallow is your slip at low tide?

 

[Bridog]

That's what I do as well. Bridog, how shallow is you slip at low tide?

Well on Sat I had the drives up all the way and the boat couldn't get in the slip without some effort. The drives were digging in the muck of the Manasquan river. I know this isn't good for the drives but the answer from my marina is... "lots of our boats sit on the bottom at low tide, fortunately our bottom is soft" ...WHAT? Silly me, I thought boats were supposed to float when they are in the water. I have asked them to put me in deeper water and I'm awaiting a response. I don't like to leave the drives up all the time but because of the depth I have no choice. I'll let you all know how I make out. Thanks for the reply's so far. Brian

 

[Dave S]

That's what I do as well. Bridog, how shallow is you slip at low tide?

Well on Sat I had the drives up all the way and the boat couldn't get in the slip without some effort. The drives were digging in the muck of the Manasquan river. I know this isn't good for the drives but the answer from my marina is... "lots of our boats sit on the bottom at low tide, fortunately our bottom is soft" ...WHAT? Silly me, I thought boats were supposed to float when they are in the water. I have asked them to put me in deeper water and I'm awaiting a response. I don't like to leave the drives up all the time but because of the depth I have no choice. I'll let you all know how I make out. Thanks for the reply's so far. Brian

Brian..........I had a similar problem. My drive only had a 6 inches clearance (by my calculation) in my first slip with current water levels so I asked to be moved to a different (deeper) dock which I was able to do. As our lake progresses thru the summer it may get lower which would have been real bad. Leaving the drive up, while not desirable, is probably OK for now with your new boat. I would be more concerned with dragging them thru the muck all the time. It will strip the paint off the skeg making them more prone to corrosion and fouling and of course it will be sucking all the muddy water up thru your sea water pump as well. :smt021

 

[osd9]

and of course it will be sucking all the muddy water up thru your sea water pump as well. :smt021

This is one you have to keep a VERY close eye on......your impellers will defintely have a shortened life expectancy.

Also, you will have to be concerned with the muck building up in your manifolds/heat exchangers if FWC and in the manifolds/blocks if RWC.

I would guess that overnighting in your slip with the AC running has it's issues also due to the low water and sucking up muck.

 

[boatrboy]

My slip has very little water at low tide so I raise my drive until the trailer button is needed. If I remember the full moons, I tap the trailer button for a second or two as well on those days.

 

[280 SeaRay]

if you are truly sitting in the muck... I would make sure the genset and AC/Heat are never turned on or a strainer full of mud you may get.... I am puzzled why the marina would even offer such a shallow slip. Introduce the Marina owner and the local dredging company owner..... :thumbsup:

 

[Bridog]

I am puzzled why the marina would even offer such a shallow slip. Introduce the Marina owner and the local dredging company owner..... :thumbsup:

Jeremy, they said it's not in the budget.....Anyway after spending over 200 dollars A WEEK on a slip I just want to be able to use my boat on the 1 day a week I have the chance regardless of the tides or moon phase. Maybe I'm being unrealistic? :smt100

 

[Nehalennia II]

I am puzzled why the marina would even offer such a shallow slip. Introduce the Marina owner and the local dredging company owner..... :thumbsup:

Jeremy, they said it's not in the budget.....Anyway after spending over 200 dollars A WEEK on a slip I just want to be able to use my boat on the 1 day a week I have the chance regardless of the tides or moon phase. Maybe I'm being unrealistic? :smt100

I agree with Jeremy....the shallowest slip I have seen here locally is 4' below low tide; plenty for most boats sans blowboats
Make them an offer to either move you or lower your rate so you can pay for more frequent maintenance