geppert
New Member
OK ... real powerboat Newbee here (first one actually).
The boat is a 1992 SeaRay 180 with a 150 HP Oil Injected Merc Black Max XR4 OB.
I am using it in salt water but it comes home on the trailer after each use. Is stored under cover.
1) I understand that you should run the motor with the fresh water "ears" after each use in salt water to rinse? Question is HOW LONG? When I did it today the water coming out the motor outlet was hot to the touch but the temp gauge on the dash was reading ok so I assume this is normal (the hot water thing). I just don't know how long to run it to complete a satisfactory rinse cycle?
2) On the brief test drive the previous owner was talking about "appropriate motor tilt" for optimum performance while under way. I totally don't understand how to do this. I always thought "put the motor all the way down and go"? So how do you adjust the tilt for optimum performance once under way? Does the tilt have to be adjusted for different speeds etc.?
3) How often should you run the motor if the boat is just sitting on the trailer and not being used? Every 3 days, once a week, once a month .... ???? How long for the run (same deal as water rinse I would expect?)
4) How do you "winterize" a motor over a period of say 6 months? Our winter temps range from -3C to about +5C ish. Not severe by any means but freezing does happen off and on. I won't be using this boat for probably a 6-7 month stretch once our winter season begins. Should winterizing be done by a marine mechanic or can I do it myself? I also assume the battery should be removed from the boat and stored in the basement?
5) Any other suggestions about boat maintenance in a salt water environment would be appreciated. I did wash it down after our run today. I assume you want to keep the salt build up to a minimum as best you can?
The boat is a 1992 SeaRay 180 with a 150 HP Oil Injected Merc Black Max XR4 OB.
I am using it in salt water but it comes home on the trailer after each use. Is stored under cover.
1) I understand that you should run the motor with the fresh water "ears" after each use in salt water to rinse? Question is HOW LONG? When I did it today the water coming out the motor outlet was hot to the touch but the temp gauge on the dash was reading ok so I assume this is normal (the hot water thing). I just don't know how long to run it to complete a satisfactory rinse cycle?
2) On the brief test drive the previous owner was talking about "appropriate motor tilt" for optimum performance while under way. I totally don't understand how to do this. I always thought "put the motor all the way down and go"? So how do you adjust the tilt for optimum performance once under way? Does the tilt have to be adjusted for different speeds etc.?
3) How often should you run the motor if the boat is just sitting on the trailer and not being used? Every 3 days, once a week, once a month .... ???? How long for the run (same deal as water rinse I would expect?)
4) How do you "winterize" a motor over a period of say 6 months? Our winter temps range from -3C to about +5C ish. Not severe by any means but freezing does happen off and on. I won't be using this boat for probably a 6-7 month stretch once our winter season begins. Should winterizing be done by a marine mechanic or can I do it myself? I also assume the battery should be removed from the boat and stored in the basement?
5) Any other suggestions about boat maintenance in a salt water environment would be appreciated. I did wash it down after our run today. I assume you want to keep the salt build up to a minimum as best you can?