motors down for winter storage?

S

Squidder

Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2023
Messages
11
Reaction score
1
Points
3
Age
55
Model
Gulfstream
I was down at VA Beach this weekend and got the boat emptied for winter. It's on the trailer in a yard and we probably won't be back down until after Christmas. For some reason I snapped wide awake this morning at 3AM and realized I have both motors tilted up on trailer support arms, so they're tilted up about 45 degrees. I last used them in August (due to the crappy NE wind we've had every time I go down there) and when I was finished, I lowered them all the way down and flushed everything out, so they should be drained. Then I tilted them back up to the trailering position because I had planned on using them this past weekend. I'm worried rain water could enter the LU thru the prop exhaust and freeze. Not sure if this could actually happen or not? Should I call the guy at the yard and get him to lower them or will they be okay? It really doesn't usually get that cold at VAB until maybe Jan/Feb.
 
If you really got all the water out before trimming up you should be ok.

I like to finish up with 1/2 gallon of pink antifreeze pumped thru with them up. Then trim down to drain. I usually leave them down until I head to FL in January. Either way - up or down you will be fine.
 
I would never store the outboards for longer time if out of the water in tilted up position as i see no reason for doing so.
Chris
 
If you ran the cocktail mixture (or fog, depending on engines) through the engine then that part is safe/good for the Winter.

As far as leaving them tilted up... in theory, there should be enough room for collected rain water to freeze upward and not outward. So in theory they should be OK. Personally, I don't like theory - and it sounds like you'll be thinking about it over the Winter so I think you've actually answered your own question.... tilt them down.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Sardinia306Canyon
Motors are 2007 175 Etecs. Haven't fogged anything because I had planned on using it, until this damned Noreaster blew through this weekend. May still get out for BFT if weather cooperates after Jan 1.
 
Well, at least it's running 2-stroke through it - granted not as good as a true winterization, but it does help. Does that year have the "press a button to winterize" feature?

Plus, if you're running a stabilizer year round, that helps tremendously.
 
Honestly I don't know about the winterize button. (Only owned this 2 years and don't have a manual yet) I've never really winterized a motor, other than tilting it down and I've owned various 2-stroke outboards for 40 years. Just don't see the need and never had issues. But I do generally change LU oil to winterize. Haven't done that yet either. I do run Star Tron with Non-Ethanol fuel religiously.
 
With a 2 stroke it's less of an issue than a 4-stroke. But it's only "better" to winterize it (extended lay-up) than not. It will hep to avoid losing compression/power over time. Certainly not a life and death thing, though.
 
Hell, it's been on "extended lay-up" all year. Used 6 hours (1/2 day) this year in June. Blown out July 4th weekend, a whole week in August, Labor Day weekend and now Columbus Day.
 
The issue is not a 'winterize' situation. The main risk with motors tilted up is rain water pooling in the lower gear housing and freezing. If indeed the weather does not drop below freezing until your return, you will probably be OK for now. On a similar but critical topic, do you drain and refill the LU before winter lay up? The real risk is if for whatever reason you have water in the gear case , that can freeze and crack the LU casting.
 
Seasick...yes, I do typically do that before winter. I wasn't thinking this weekend about not using it until January and with the weather we had, it really wasn't conducive to working out in the wind and rain to do it. I will have to change the LU oil when I'm back down after Christmas.

I agree with your thinking, as long as we don't have a hard freeze for several days, water accumulating in the LU shouldn't be an issue. I can always call the yard ahead of a cold snap and see if they can drop the motors for me.
 
I don't remember the yamahas but my zukes WILL hold rain water in the prop hub if you leave them up.
I put them down all winter and remove the props
 
Natural position to ensure water drains and oil is correctly placed for long term non-use.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.