Outboard Freezing Issues

[Sevcrist]

If I have my boat on a lift in Kentucky and I want to use the boat occasionally in the winter and leave it on the lift, how do I protect the outboard from freezing and ruining the motor?<br /><br />I have searched for this topic on this forum and could not find a suitable answer. It looks as though on an outboard when you have the engine tilted vertically and it is out of the water all the water drains out so there shouldn't be a problem. But then I have read where other people say to leave it in the water.<br /><br />What's the story on this and is the lower unit the only part of the motor that I need to be concerned with?

 

[novicetech]

Re: Outboard Freezing Issues

As long as the motor leg is out of the water and straight up and down, all of the water will drain out of the motor.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Outboard Freezing Issues

And if the boat is left in the water, you still want the motor to be vertical.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: Outboard Freezing Issues

Another thing you might want to do is check the lower unit oil frequently to make sure there's any water intrusion at all.

 

[Major Woods]

Re: Outboard Freezing Issues

I use my 90hp outboard all winter down to 7 degrees last year. Motor must be kept vertical when not in use to assure proper drainage.<br />11 degrees on a January morning and there's still a line at the launch <br />

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Outboard Freezing Issues

Hey Major! <br /><br />Y'all are nuts! But that's a heckuva funny photo.

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Outboard Freezing Issues

Now that's dedication...