Day Off
New Member
When a boat is being stored for winter should the outdrive be up or down or does it really matter?:huh: I have a 2006 185 Sport with a V6 engine if that matters. Thank you.
Winter storage
- Thread starter Day Off
- Start date
Brian 59
Member
It should always be down for extended periods.
Air O'Nautical
Well-Known Member
- Feb 5, 2008
- 2,316
- Boat Info
- 1995 400EC. Raymarine E80, Tridata, 4kw dome, Garmin 943
- Engines
- 2013 7.4L Mercruiser Blue water.
Hurth straight shaft 630's,
Westerbeke 7.0 BCG
Down for two reasons.
Drainage to protect from internal freezing and the bellows stretching out and maybe cracking..
Drainage to protect from internal freezing and the bellows stretching out and maybe cracking..
sbw1
Well-Known Member
- Oct 10, 2006
- 8,185
- Boat Info
- This is listed in my signature
- Engines
- This is listed in my signature
We stored our I/O boats with the outdrives down for the reasons noted above and changed the bellows every three years. Our boats were alway wet slipped and we could not take a chance on even a small leak. The I/Os were down in the slip as well.
That's a good question..........personally I keep mine in the down position. It only makes sense as per previous posts. Even the Merc manual says to keep it down.
But..........driving by 3 boat dealers in our city, all NEW and stored boats sit on the lot with the drive in the UP position. They sit like that all winter long.:smt021
But..........driving by 3 boat dealers in our city, all NEW and stored boats sit on the lot with the drive in the UP position. They sit like that all winter long.:smt021
Day Off
New Member
I guess down it is then! Thanks guys for all of your replies.
sport 185
New Member
I have noticed that too, also it hurts to see all those pretty new boats out in the weather .....
Last edited:
Dave 205
New Member
- Mar 15, 2011
- 449
- Boat Info
- 2006 205 Sport, Shorelander Trailer. Towed by 2012 Ford F-150 Supercrew 5.0 with factory tow package
- Engines
- Mercruiser 5.0 220 HP Carb w/ Alpha 1 Drive
If you are storing at a storage yard, be sure to retrieve the boat in spring with a battery that has power so you can lift the outdrive before setting out, or spring will start with a bang that you won't want!
This may sound over kill, but.........I made up a little warning sign. Any time I lower the drive, I hang the sign on the front of the trailer. So the first thing I do when hooking up to the truck, is see the sign, and it's a great reminder to lift the drive. :smt101
