Engine up or down

[Jon H]

When storing my boat for a month or so does it matter if the engine is in the down position or left in the standard towing position (supported of course)?

[Ian M]

Depends on the weather!
If there is a chance of freezing conditions the motor should be in the down position to ensure complete drainage of all that loverly fresh water that you have flushed the motor with

[Jon H]

Originally Posted by Ian M

Depends on the weather!
If there is a chance of freezing conditions the motor should be in the down position to ensure complete drainage of all that loverly fresh water that you have flushed the motor with

Thanks for this

Good job I put it down last night !

[Bigmuz7]

I was concerned about this too.. as I would not have felt that leaving an engine especially if its a bigger one.... with its hydraulics for trim compressed in the down position over winter especially was correct .. but the manual says it is ( I'm a guy and I read a manual now and again .. Im sorry )

[jyasaki]

Hydraulics compressed?

There aren't any springs or anything in them; they're basically a piston in a long chamber that gets fluid pumped into one side or the other.

The stress would occur leaving them up, where the fluid in the pressurized chamber (which raised the motor) is held in place by the seals. You can alleviate this pressure by either physically blocking the motor up (the tilt lock bracket or a 2x4 will do that) and "lowering" the ram, or by fully lowering the motor.

jky

[BogMonster]

Book for mine says to store in the down position to drain all the water out for frost protection, as already said.

I guess it is probably better to let it all drain out than have water sitting in the engine, even if it isn't freezing?

Sometimes in summer I have it on the bracket "ready to scramble" in case I want to go somewhere in a hurry (one less thing to do - fuelled, oiled and ready to tow away) but usually I just leave it trimmed right down after flushing.