engine up or down?

[willfinch36]

Just wondering wether when you dont use your rib (assuming it is OUT of the water) do you leave the engine up or down?

[codprawn]

Up most definitely.

Something bizzare happened to my boat a while ago. I went to check on it and the engine was down. I was worried thinking the hydraulics had failed. I discovered the hatch on the console had been opened and someone had obviously turned on the battery master switch to do it. The switch was off again but the handles on the hatch werte in a different position.

I was going to raise the engine again when I realised that very cold weather had been forecast so I left it down. The weather got so cold the sea water froze.

I wish I knew who my boat's guardian angel was. No other boat had been tampered with in such a nice fashion!!!

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by willfinch36

Just wondering wether when you dont use your rib (assuming it is OUT of the water) do you leave the engine up or down?

Make sure you drain all the water out of it. This sometimes means raising and lowering the motor a couple of times.

[doggypaddle]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Up most definitely.

whats the rationale behind that then codders? I ask because I was always told leave them down so all the rams are closed up and hence the ramrods are in oil and not likely to corrode or suffer damage, and also it ensures all the water runs out of the leg and you dont get a pool in the exhaust behind the prop, which then evaporates in the sun, and condenses in the powerhead (because its cooler as its out of the sun under the engine cover,) and causes corrosion to the cylinder walls and rings.

[yoyo]

I agree with doggy: I always leave my engine down with the cover on if possible. (assuming the rib is OUT of the water)

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by doggypaddle

whats the rationale behind that then codders? I ask because I was always told leave them down so all the rams are closed up and hence the ramrods are in oil and not likely to corrode or suffer damage, and also it ensures all the water runs out of the leg and you dont get a pool in the exhaust behind the prop, which then evaporates in the sun, and condenses in the powerhead (because its cooler as its out of the sun under the engine cover,) and causes corrosion to the cylinder walls and rings.

Well I have a 2 stroke so there is no oil in it.

Looking at the growth that occurs in our harbour I do NOT want it all on my engine. Also metal just doesn't like seawater - keeping it out will preserve your anodes.

EVERY outboard in our harbour and in Swansea marina is kept out of the water. Some of those boats have been there 20 years with very old engines and they seem to be fine. The 4 stroke people keep their engines out of the water as well.

It is often said that the reason an outboard is better than a similar sterndrive is that you can keep it out of the water!!!

[Hightower]

I've always left mine down and had no problems and if afloat people leave theirs up.

I don't think there's going to be a definitive answer on this one.

So, whatever takes your fancy I guess.

[doggypaddle]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Well I have a 2 stroke so there is no oil in it.

Looking at the growth that occurs in our harbour I do NOT want it all on my engine. Also metal just doesn't like seawater - keeping it out will preserve your anodes.

EVERY outboard in our harbour and in Swansea marina is kept out of the water. Some of those boats have been there 20 years with very old engines and they seem to be fine. The 4 stroke people keep their engines out of the water as well.

It is often said that the reason an outboard is better than a similar sterndrive is that you can keep it out of the water!!!

So you missed the OUT OF THE WATER bit in the original post?

[Hightower]

Originally Posted by doggypaddle

So you missed the OUT OF THE WATER bit in the original post?

Perhaps he has a use for a bucket other than Peeing into?

[PeterM]

Out - down , in - up (out of water)