Preparing boat for the summer...

[striker1211]

Just a few quick questions:

I changed my lower unit oil before winter hit with SAE 90 (Mercury High Performance Gear Lube +). Should I change it again now in the spring? Could any water really get into the lower unit without being in a lake? I was planning on doing it but from what I read the key is just to do it before winter so it does not freeze and the oil is $15 a quart. The engine was untarped.

Also, for next year, I left the tires on the trailer and they are now sunk into the soil a little. Is that bad? It is a 17 ft shore lander and I cannot tell how old the tires are because I bought it last year [edit] Just checked the tires and after the DOT model it says 1108 so they are probably from 2008.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[rideroads]

Re: Preparing boat for the summer...

While living in Florida I really can't help you out with the lower unit oil and a freezing temps..... Those trailer tires are a bit old. After a few years they start to get dry rotted and can fail. Myself, I would have new tires put on.

Hope this helps

Thanks,

Eric

 

[wired247]

Re: Preparing boat for the summer...

You are good on the oil for 2 more years or so. Some people like to change it sooner but most people change it much more infrequently. Every two years or so is adequate.

I'd probably wait another ten years before changing tires unless you were driving across country a few times in that 5 years. I changed the tires on my trailer two years ago. They were 30 years old.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Preparing boat for the summer...

Did you have water in the lower unit when you changed out last Fall? On the tires, make sure you have a good spare.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Preparing boat for the summer...

change oil before winter every year. Don't take a chance of freezing lower end. You're good to go now.

 

[striker1211]

Re: Preparing boat for the summer...

Thanks for your replies everyone. I won't waste the lube. I might change it half way through the seasons just to keep an eye on the seal. It is a used boat afterall. As for the spare I do not have one but that is good advice. Do I go to a tire place for trailer tires or a tractor-supply kind of place? I think I want Radials for storage reasons. Thanks.

 

[wired247]

Re: Preparing boat for the summer...

I bought wheels and tires together from etrailer.com for less shipped than the local tire store would sell me installed trailer tires for.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Preparing boat for the summer...

I crack the lower plug a couple times per season to check for water as it will be in the bottom - if none comes out then close back up quickly. One or two of those times I also top off. I don't change every year, if no water and doesn't smell burnt I'll run for a couple seasons.

 

[racerone]

Re: Preparing boat for the summer...

Lower units are sealed.----No water should get in.----Agreed, most gear oil is changed when not nededed.

 

[merc850]

Re: Preparing boat for the summer...

You should follow this lube chart and grease the driveshaft and shift shaft splines.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Preparing boat for the summer...

Racerone, Bull S. 15 bucks oil, plus, 2bucks gasket seals. is bad advise in Michigan.
OK oil was changed in the Fall MY BAD. SORRY Racerone for Bashing You.