How to Keep my Outdrive Looking Good

[isaacs]

My boat has always lived in my driveway and been trailered to the launch. As a result, my outdrive looks almost new. I'm going to be keeping the boat in the water this summer and am wondering if there are any products that I can put on my outdrive to help keep it clean. Or should I just keep wiping it off when I go swimming?

 

[jlh3rd]

I haven't heard of anything in particular....if there is I'd like to know 'cause I take care of my stuff...so..
I would say a good wax...and leave the out drive full tilt up? I do for my outboard...I don't know about I/O's....but I don't know what else can be done....wiping it off certainly wouldn't hurt...

 

[JimS123]

An up outdrive won't help because its still under water. Besides, if you have any issues with any of the bellows, leaving it up will exacerbate the leak and the boat might sink.

Pull the boat weekly, clean it with a calcium solvent, wipe dry and wax it again.

It won't look as god as in your driveway, but it its a start.

 

[crazy charlie]

Your drive will never look as good as it does now if you leave it in the water.....just aint possible.Charlie

 

[Chris1956]

You may even need to paint it with anti-fouling paint. It depends on what type of water you are leaving it in...salt, brackish or fresh.

Here on the saltwater, we need to paint the outdrive with an aluminum-specific A-F paint like Trilux. That slows the marine growth down.....

 

[1960 Starflite]

I noticed that my anodes never deteriorated on my I/O or OB here on Buckeye Lake, Oh. Instead the lower units were a constant problem. I installed magnesium anodes and problem solved.

 

[BRICH1260]

Not really much that you can do. I usually make it a habit of taking a boat sponge and while in the water wipe down the outdrive. Doing it weekly keeps the finish a little cleaner.