Motor up or down?

C

Capt.Dummy

Recruit

Joined

May 9, 2011

Messages

2

• May 9, 2011

• #1

I've been told several different stories, but need the truth.....While parked in the driveway should the motor be up or down?

 

metriccrescentwrench

Commander

Joined

Oct 22, 2007

Messages

2,598

• May 9, 2011

• #2

Re: Motor up or down?

IMHO the only time it really matters is in the winter in below freezing temperatures. In that situation you need to leave the motor down so water can't collect in the prop hub area, freeze, and break something.

 

L

lkbum

Chief Petty Officer

Joined

Sep 1, 2008

Messages

445

• May 9, 2011

• #3

Re: Motor up or down?

For an I/O, I would leave the motor in a postion that put the least amount of stress on the bellows - down for the most part. And as stated in the previous post, this is most important in cold weather when rubber is least pliable.

 

metriccrescentwrench

Commander

Joined

Oct 22, 2007

Messages

2,598

• May 9, 2011

• #4

Re: Motor up or down?

lkbum said:

For an I/O.....

Click to expand...

I was assuming outboard.... But now the question has been answered for nearly all flavors of boats.

 

Captain Caveman

Ensign

Joined

Mar 1, 2005

Messages

924

• May 9, 2011

• #5

Re: Motor up or down?

I don't think that anything will happen if you always leave it up. The water doesn't drain out of my motor unless it is all the way down so that's where I leave it. I tend to like to park my toys in a way that gravity is doing the least harm. Therefore, I don't have the motor fighting gravity in an up position.

 

H

Home Cookin'

Fleet Admiral

Joined

May 26, 2009

Messages

9,715

• May 9, 2011

• #6

Re: Motor up or down?

additional considerations:
when down, it's not in the way.
If it's down you don't want it touching the ground, and remember to raise it before moving it, if clearance is close, especially down a typical suburban driveway.
Those who know the insides better than I could opine about the oil/gas in the carbs, etc. I have a Yam 50 that doesn't like to start, after it hasn't been run awhile, unless it's all the way down.

 

ultra_1968

Seaman Apprentice

Joined

Apr 20, 2011

Messages

34

• May 9, 2011

• #7

Re: Motor up or down?

So, to clarify, I CAN trim my lower unit (I/O) down while parked in the garage? I could sure use the extra couple inches.

 

ultra_1968

Seaman Apprentice

Joined

Apr 20, 2011

Messages

34

• May 9, 2011

• #8

Re: Motor up or down?

ultra_1968 said:

I could sure use the extra couple inches.

Click to expand...

I know, I know...That's what she said!

 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian

Staff member

Joined

May 19, 2001

Messages

26,022

• May 9, 2011

• #9

Re: Motor up or down?

Sure can. Just watch the skeg on the ground....... a small piece of wood protects it nicely.

 

ultra_1968

Seaman Apprentice

Joined

Apr 20, 2011

Messages

34

• May 9, 2011

• #10

Re: Motor up or down?

Thanks Bob

 

oldjeep

Admiral

Joined

May 17, 2010

Messages

6,455

• May 9, 2011

• #11

Re: Motor up or down?

Bob_VT said:

Sure can. Just watch the skeg on the ground....... a small piece of wood protects it nicely.

Click to expand...

And put a note on the hitch so you remember to put it back up before pulling it out of the garage I never lower mine in my garage, but had to put it down when I stored it in the lake house garage for the first time last winter (garage not as deep). Forgot it was down when I pulled the boat out - no damage done but it could have been bad if I had continued down the road that way.