Leg up or down

[Bam Bam]

Is it better to leave the leg up or down when the boat is stored on the trailer. After using the boat I usually lower the leg before putting it in the garage (after washing and flushing of course). This means removing the Light board and all the strapping and cable etc of which has to be done in reverse when I go out again. I find this takes time and knocks the hell out of me due to having arthritis in my back and knees. Is it ok to store the boat with the leg up for short periods of four to six weeks or is it better to put up, shut up, and carry on doing what I have always done?

[Neil Harvey]

I'm not sure it matters in summer months at least... think about all those boats kept afloat who tilt up their engines at the end of the day

[BogMonster]

On my old Johnson you certainly needed the leg down to drain out all water from the cooling passages if there was any danger of freezing conditions, but I always used to leave mine up and on the support bracket during the summer, fuelled up and ready to go so that all I had to do was hitch up the trailer and go.

[seafariskye]

Leg you say --- outboard i say

leg is an outdrive on an inboard.. outboard is an outboard.. get your mechanicals right you lot....

or do i have an outboard attached to my inboard.

pete

[willk]

Over

I would have thort

[willk]

Originally Posted by BogMonster

On my old Johnson you certainly needed the leg down to drain out......but I always used to leave mine up....

I blame the long days - it's the Pineal Gland

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2gIdMRwfuM

Never need an excuse to repost that Gem

[DGR]

After my leg siezed in the 'up' position, I've always been advised to put the leg down when storing it. Apparently the hydraulics are 'relaxed' when they are down - so less likely to sieze. Dunno how true that is - but it hasn't happened since...

Also, I take the lightbar etc off when leaving her on the trailer - the less ready she is to roll away, the less likely some will help themselves (in my head anyway)!!

D...

[Lets go boating]

leave the leg down, as it is better for drainage and you need that when a frost comes out to play

plus its less stress on your trim and tilt

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by DGR

After my leg siezed in the 'up' position, I've always been advised to put the leg down when storing it. Apparently the hydraulics are 'relaxed' when they are down - so less likely to sieze. Dunno how true that is - but it hasn't happened since...

Also, I take the lightbar etc off when leaving her on the trailer - the less ready she is to roll away, the less likely some will help themselves (in my head anyway)!!

D...

Mine stays up in the summer and down in the winter-freezing water in the exhaust isn't good.


I did hear tell of someone who left a fake plug on an unnecesary extension of the trailerboard, wired so it dead shorted anyone's electrics

[Bam Bam]

Thanks for all the advice guys, it is only for the summer months. Not that it matters as far as freezing is concerned as I make sure the "outboard" (not leg) is well flushed and drained at the slip where possible and also, as the boat is stored in a electronicaly locked garage with hitch and wheel lock in place it aint going walkies without me knowing about it. Come winter, as last year, the boat is cleaned and serviced and has the outboard lowered and covered in blankets then the whole boat and trailer is covered by a large tarp. It will be much easier for me to leave the boat ready to go now I know its ok to do so. Thanks.

Hey Nos4r2, is there another SR gathering planned for this year. I would love to meet you all again so if any dates are mentioned please let me know.