I’ve been boating for many years in Miami. This channel provides simple and clear useful information to help maintain boats. Tks for the work you do for us. Much appreciated.
when I leave it in the water engines up, when on the trailer and parked, engines down. Another thing I do is turn the helm to full lock to which ever side pulls the steering ram back into its housing to protect it too.
This reminds me of when I got my first 4 stroke 150 Yamaha. It burned 2.5 quarts of oil on a few quick runs. You guys suggested I run some ring free through it which unbelievably cured the problem . Thank you guys for your great info . I see the reason to leave it trimmed down on the lift and now why I should work it up also. Thanks again.. Chuck
Just got my first outboard boat. Axopar 28 cabin with a mercury 350. I LOVE HAVING AN OUTBOARD!!! It has 651hrs on it and runs Perfect! I flush it after every use and use salt remover twice a month. Everything is so much easier! I did my own service after watching your videos and appreciate your knowledge and help. Keep them coming!!
Here is another consideration for people that use their boats in cold environments. If leaving your boat in the water for a short time (a few days) where temperatures fall below freezing, keep the motor trimmed down in the water. I often use my boat for duck hunting in the Chesapeake Bay area in December and January. So I don't have to launch my boat in the dark at 5:00 am I'll sometimes launch it the day before and keep it tied at the dock. Maybe keep it there for a few days if I am hunting several times in that period. Often at night the temperature will fall to cause freezing of the water surface, but just a quarter inch below the surface the temperature is higher and the water stays liquid. With the motor trimmed down in the water there is no water in the motor passageways above the water line. The water in the lower unit below the waterline will not freeze below the crust of ice. And, at cold temperatures, there is little or no fowling marine growth.
Exactly. We all have to do that as the freezing starts here in the Nordic countries. Also keep the motor trimmed down as soon as it's up from the water. Growth start here in July and ends in October. We have freezing nights in April and it normally starts in November så it's important not to leave your boats unintended during that period.
Yes Sir. Over here (Norway) the most used policy is: outboard engine down "off season" and up during summer. We only take the boat on land when there is serious ice and throw it back in the water as soon as possible after the ice leaves... (and then of course karma kicks in and the ice comes back ;-) ).
Years ago when I was an outboard tech I would tell this to the customer and explain the things you just did, the owner of the shop would also explain this and was one of the policies he had in his shop, since we would also store boats. Never the less customers would always forget, No matter how many times you would tell them. When I left Florida and went to California I had a customer who would always remember to tie a line from the dingy to his small outboard but he would never remember to remove the outboard from the dingy, on his way back to Los Angeles from Catalina Island, which is about 26miles away !!!....He would sometimes tow the dingy with the motor under water for 16 to 19 miles before he noticed !!...lol He would show up at the shop and say to me .....Dan I did it again...lol
In freezing conditions , duck hunting winter trolling on northern lakes etc. It is best to leave the lower unit in the water to prevent damage that may happen to a tilted up motor. Damage to the impeller or the lower unit itself can happen due to water trapped in the lower unit that freezes and expands. You Southern boys don't have to worry about this!
I can't believe electrolysis isn't mentioned as a reason to keep it out of the water. Trim it up out of the water primarily to avoid electrolysis. I've seen stray dock current can eat a hole in a lower end case in less than 2 months. Also, stainless props look nice but are a much harder metal which transfers any shock to internal parts. Aluminum props will bend and break if you hit something, but its better than buying a new lower end, IMO.
First of all even with your engine trimmed up the engine mount on the transom is still in the water, Secondly your phone should be properly protected through the use of grounding wires and sacrificial anodes! What do you think boat owners do when they have I/Os, Even when the drives are in the up most position they are still usually have submerged! If a boat or your Marina has a problem with electrolysis your sacrificial anodes will start deteriorating before any of your aluminum, That is literally what they are there for!
Thanks for the heads up, I'm running my outboard every couple weeks, hull out of water due to repairs etc, didn't really think to trim it up for 15mins so oil could drain back to pan also, cheers great channel learning lots yewwww
If you keep your boat on a lift in saltwater, start your freshwater washdown after boating by trimming up to properly rinse your trim/tilt components first, especially the $800 trim motor! Wash the rest of the boat. Then a quick trim system spray from a spray bottle of salt away mixture before you lower the engine...completely. (In addition, if you have a four-stroke, you've also covered the oil issue)
I trailer and experienced the smoky startups. My mechanic recommended leaving a little positive trim while on the trailer, but I understand your recommendation to fully tuck after trailering home with positive trim. Thanks!
Aaron - My Pathfinder is always back on the trailer after use. Only exception is when staying on overnight trips. I always trim motor up and out of the water at the dock, and trimmed down and full left rudder at my covered storage in my Cypress, Texas. Perko switch is always off when on the trailer. Never had problem with corrosion. I fish primarily in Texas and Louisiana bays.
Something for I/O owners, when you park your boat out of the water turn your steering straight and trim the drive down as much as possible. This reduces stress on the components between the transom plate and gimbal.
Me too. Sometimes people can only trim the outboards out far enough to pull all the zinks out of the water and leave the prop and below unprotected. Seems there's an invention or two that could solve that problem but like usual, I won't work on it and instead, will watch someone else get rich with the solution. But I'll always know I had the solution first.
@@jonesjones7057 Many marinas today have lifts in them which allows the boat to be 100% out of the water. (Mine is that way) I think that’s what they may be referring too.
I keep my boat on a trailer I trim down and at the end I put a 4x4 wood piece and rest slightly the engines lower unit on it to take weight out of transom.
Im gooood to gooo !!!¡¡¡ never had 4stk and never will, I keep my 2 smokers till I die. Dont have to worry about AAANY of that, always trimed up, in or out the water, for short or long periods. LOOONG LIVE THE 2 STK 💨💨💥💥
Suzukis have a drain on the port side, bottom cylinder. Keep the engine up a bit allow water drain out of the head. Keep it down will result in build up and corrosion on the bottom, 4th, cylinder block/head.
Polished rams? When I was taught hydraulics. They called that part “the shiny bit” 😂😂😂😂 Honestly. It was in all the training and works manuals and was always referred to as the shiny bit. I don’t know if that’s a British thing. Or just an RAF thing. But if you took the undercarriage off a fighter jet, that bit of the ram was always referred to as the shiny bit in all the manuals. Polished ram sounds better tho. I like that. And your explanation for not leaving the engines tipped up made a lot of sense. Thanks for that. Excellent info. I have no experience at all on fixing boats. I’ve worked on HGVs, vans, cars and planes. But boats have problems I’d never even considered. Or would think of. So your channel has been a great find. There is no substitute for experience.
In the water for the season here in NJ. On a trailer in the off season. My old Yamaha 150 still has the tip of the torpedo in the water even when fully trimmed up. My boat must have gained weight over the years. So the torpedo tip gets crusty. This year I think I’m going to “stripe” the trailing end of the lower with aluminum safe anti fouling paint so the “torpedo” and the back of the skeg don’t get crusty with barnacles
I trailer my boat and therefore always leave the outboard trimmed up. I’m not worried about the hydraulic seals because my Honda outboard has a metal stop you can swing down for the outboard to sit on instead of the hydraulics. I’ve never thought about the rams being protected by the hydraulic fluid when retracted. That’s a really great point!
Mine boat is all time in the water, i just trim outboard up and thats it. One time a year boat goes out in marina to clean it up and put new layer of antifouling. That normal here in Mediterian. Regards from Croatia :)
Lifted in the Boat Barn every time I go ashore overnight or longer so as to ensure that I have no problems with the anything below the red line. You see I inherited my boat along with a pipe made of the buildup one finds that the water line when they leave their boat in the water which is why my PT boat is now made out of a stainless steel. And yes now I know I have a whole new list of problems but I prefer these problems my original idea was steel with a bronze sheet overlay and I decided against that the next idea was steel with a malignant disulfide treatment coating but I found a dairy that was closing so I went with stainless instead because the food grade tanks were quite marvelous at taking care of most of the issues that I was worried about and quite durable if taken care of appropriately.
I live in northern New York,. There are a surprising amount of people that store their boats outside, with the lower unit up, and the bow down. That way everything can fill with water and freeze or rot. I also see many people tow with the motor fully trimmed up, which seems would put a lot of extra strain on the transom. A little up so it doesn't drag sure, but all the way up seems unnecessary.
I take my boat out of the water every winter and have it on land till spring, and while its on land i change the oil, and gear oil, also check the spark plugs and fuel filter also cleaning the carbs.
Our Patrol boat sits in the lake, sometimes used once a week. We keep the engines trimmed down, ready to go. While cleaning the boat after use should I trim the motors up a little to allow the oil to go down to the pan?
Great information, never thought about it to much. Seemed common sense to leave it down on the trailer but the oil in the heads explained a lot with the smoke when I first started engine. Keep it up Arron you are always teaching us and I for one do greatly appreciate it. 👍😎🌴 stay safe out there.
I have a 150 johnson ocean pro. 2 stroke. I keep mine trimmed up, but it rest on a lock rest or whatever its called. It looks like a fork, but the motor rest on that. I spray wd40 on the rams and all around that trim stuff. Never had no issues. I run motor at least 1 time every other week. Being doing it for years. And years no issues. If it gets real cold i make sure all water is out of lower unit and wrap it up. No issues. Tough motor though.
My V-20 Wellcraft didn't clear the outboard from the water. It had zincs and saw regular use with a 175 Evinrude but in the marina electrolysis rotted through the hydraulic piston for the power trim/tilt. My Maritime Skiff 2090 had no such issues. Hang extra zincs. I suppose? I store my engines upright these days and run off a trailer.
I have a 2012 Xcursion tritoon with a Merc 115. It's always on the trailer. I store it with the motor up, resting on the "pin rest" to take the strain off. Sounds like I should keep it down for a few minutes to let the oil drain down before I leave it up. I would leave it down always except the marina tows it for me to covered storage 'til the next time out. Thanks for the tips!
I will tilt the motor all the way down anytime it is in deep enough water as well as when on the trailer and parked. The only time I trim up except for under power is when towing the boat. I also keep the engine down when running off plane because if not your power steering doesn't work well
Put some copper free bottom paint on the outboard lower unit gearcases, if like mine can’t lift high enough to clear the water while in seasonal marina slip.
My maim reason for leaving my four stroke outboard engine all the way up while in the trailer is to reduce weight/ stress to the transom due to the engine weight hanging down sometimes for months, please let me know if that’s ok according to your experience ? By the way I keep my engine covered while in that position with a cover that covers the trim system from sun exposure.
Question: when boat is in water in the marina for lets say 3 days. You mention to trim the motors up out of the water...the question is do I flush the engine? Seems like pulling the motors up and out of the water you would want to flush. If there is no hose and you can't flush then I would rather leave the motors in the water so the saltwater doesn't dry out in the lower unit. Let me know
On a lift. Thanks for the info. Read in the manual about tilting up and then down to properly check oil level but didn't realize it's a good practice after every use.
I remember at one time you could buy a external zinc set up, with a cable and clip it to your bonding systems. This would help with the electrolysis issue. There was slso a drain plug that was a One Way plug that let water out of yhe hull, but stopped it from reentering it into hull
I bought a motor in 2016....it's a 2003 Mercury 9.9 2 stroke. I leave it on my trailer. I never rinse the boat, trailer, motor or gear. I fish inshore saltwater. Been fishing 25 years. Before, I always rinsed EVERYTHING. Until I bought this motor. I find the rate of corrosion to be minimally more aggressive over the last 4 years. Sure, some reels became "pepper grinders". But they get a lot of use. I'll never rinse again. The amount of work is not worth it the minimal gain. I live in Florida, so freeze is not an issue. I also go fishing often. Lucky me, right? The biggest factor I see is frequency of use. "Use it or LOSE it". If it sits, it dies. If you want your motor to be reliable..... fish 4-6 times a month.
My pontoon boat stays in the water from June to September, I’m on a dam head pond, so lots of trees pass by my dock, I keep the engine trimmed up so they don’t hit the prop. Then when I take it out for winterization I leave it trim down, been doing that for three years now, no issues. Thanks for doing this informative video.
Great video. I’m always learning more and more information on boats. I have had a couple different type boats over the last 10 yrs and have always wondered about this same thing. Thanks again.
I leave mine partially up to drain the upper motor mount area and try to prevent the corrosion that builds up around the upper mount. Also I intentially blast up under and into this pocket really good to get rid of salt. yamahas. If youve ever pulled a yamaha power heads you know this is a corrosion area.
Having my boat in the water during season and having the motor trimmed up. Rust and electrolysis is not an issue, that is what the anodes are for. Algae and other growth is by far more dangerous, since it can clog up the cooling system and the engine can overheat and take serious damage.
Hi there I have a 2019 bayliner F 21 element. I leave my boat in the water due to not having a truck to pull it. So my outboard no matter if I trimmed it all the way the propeller still submerged in the water The engines doesn't go all the way up . It touches the stern. Maybe there is a way to do it. Can you advise me. Thank you Carlos B
This was very informative and something I was wondering about. Mine's on a boat lift and I was just keeping it down to protect the trim but didn't know about the oil issue.Thanks!
Good topic. Enjoyed. My boat is on lift in western florida. I leave it all summer in down position but should tilt up while cleaning according to your instructions. A separate topic but related. When on a lift unattended for the summer would you recommend removing the boat’s drain plug thus allowing bilge water to escape if bilge pump fails. Conversely, if there is a storm surge seawater would come in through plug opening. Been wondering about this for years. Used to leave out but Irma surge let seawater in boat but pump was able to keep up, now have gone back to leaving it in. Sorry if off topic but a lot of people have boats on lifts and are gone for long periods.
Thank you for all of this information. Have a question - we have a Yamaha 4 stroke that had a smoky start and could smell oil burning. Telltale was not peeing water either. Shut it off and after a minute started back up and everything ran great for the entire day. Boat had been sitting for a couple of weeks on hoist with engine trimmed down. Could this also cause the telltale to not pee water?
Thoughts on mixing 2 things you said. I leave my boat in the water (salt). I usually left the engine all the way up and then hold in place with mechanical latch. I usually back down the cylinders some, but sounds like I should back them all the way in. Thoughts?
I'm a new boater. I am learned a great deal from your videos. Thank you for that. If my boat is kept in a marina all summer and on land all winter, should my engine be kept in the down position when not in use during the summer? What position should it be in during the winter when stored on land? I have an I/O engine.
There's a "tilt and trim" module for two separate functions. The trim rams do not lift the motor completely out of the water, but the tilt ram will. I see lots of comments about trimming the motor out of the water. You're probably referring to the tilt ram which is different that the trim rams. The tilt/trim module switches modes (you've likely heard it) between trim and tilt.
I cannot store my 70hp Suzuki trimmed all the way down in winter. Should I run antifreeze or similar through the motor flush since the water will not completely drain out?
I have a pressure washer that I use just twice a year. I flush the pump with something called, pump saver. Pump saver comes in a small aerosol can which replaces the water in the pump under pressure with some kind of oily preservative. The can has a hose bib fitting. Might this stuff be good for long term storage of an outboard? If you push pump saver through the engine it could help preserve and prevent corrosion in cooling passages, thermostat, and impeller.
2020 Tracker pro guide V175 Combo Mercury 115 EXLPT 4 stroke . I trailer the boat park it in a shelter logic portable tarp garage enclosed on a cement pad I keep the engine slightly trimmed up oh I live in GA by lake Allatoona
Not sure I'd take advice from a fella who points to the cylinders of a OMC V6 two stroke looper and talks about issues caused by the oil draining towards the combustion chamber
Inland angler and my boat is always on it's trailer, a four-stroke mercury. Now i understand why after fishing in grass with moter trimmed up, when i trim down and start immediately it will sometimes give a puff of smoke. Thanks for great info. 👍
Thanks I always like your vids. I learned the hard way of keeping the motor trimmed up, as here in Alabama with freezing temps I believe that caused my O rings on the prop shaft carrier to freeze and go bad and start leaking. I will have to start leaving it in the down position in winter.
Why i like my outboard over i/o . I trim up out of water and flush motor with fresh water on quick connect . Also noticing my lovely 2 stoke is outlast my friends with newer 4 strokes.
I just bought a 2021 Suzuki DF 15 ael3 and I was wondering why it smokes just a little at first startup after sitting trim down for several days.. now I know I need to trim it up after running it for about 15 minutes to allow the oil to drain off of the cylinders
hello, I would like to congratulate you on your channel and the information you share. Your videos are very complete and have a mechanic’s view, this is very good and also generates a lot of credibility. on seeing your latest tips i would like to know if leaving your engines in clean fresh water can cause some kind of problem. being more specific, I use barrels with water to sweeten and start the engines at least once a week for a period of 10 minutes. thanks
@born again boating. So just to be clear, leaving a for stroke motor fully trimmed up out of fresh lake water for a week or 2 at a time is still better than leaving it trimmed down even if no growth? I have a 2021 merc 250hp pro xs. Thanks
Thank you for your question! Please post it in our Born Again Boating Community! Go here and scroll down to access - it’s free: www.bornagainboating.com/
Thank you for the video. Helps a new boater like me tremendously. I have a boat in a slip year round and not on a lift. I keep my outboard in the water year round. Boat is in freshwater. Yes algae builds up but have clean periodically. Do I still have to worry about build up like you mentioned assuming your video was targeting salt water. Also during the winter months at freezing temperatures I leave motor trimmed all the way down in the water correct?
Thank you for your question! Please post it in our Born Again Boating Community! Go here and scroll down to access - it’s free: www.bornagainboating.com/
Thank you for your question! Please post it in our Born Again Boating Community! Go here and scroll down to access - it’s free: www.bornagainboating.com/
Good Feedback.... On a lift 10 months out of a year (3x350 Yama’s)... when in the water raise them out of the water at night. Need to nudge them on the lift occasionally! Have you done any testing of Salt Away or similar treatments?
Thank you for your question! Please post it in our Born Again Boating Community! Go here and scroll down to access - it’s free: www.bornagainboating.com/
Great Lakes boater, have a stern drive, kept on trailer, drive in trimmed in the trailer position while trailering, and trimmed down when not, and seasonal storage to keep the bellows in a natural unstreched position
I’ve been boating for many years in Miami. This channel provides simple and clear useful information to help maintain boats. Tks for the work you do for us. Much appreciated.
thank you so much!
when I leave it in the water engines up, when on the trailer and parked, engines down. Another thing I do is turn the helm to full lock to which ever side pulls the steering ram back into its housing to protect it too.
This reminds me of when I got my first 4 stroke 150 Yamaha. It burned 2.5 quarts of oil on a few quick runs. You guys suggested I run some ring free through it which unbelievably cured the problem . Thank you guys for your great info . I see the reason to leave it trimmed down on the lift and now why I should work it up also. Thanks again.. Chuck
Just got my first outboard boat. Axopar 28 cabin with a mercury 350. I LOVE HAVING AN OUTBOARD!!! It has 651hrs on it and runs Perfect! I flush it after every use and use salt remover twice a month. Everything is so much easier! I did my own service after watching your videos and appreciate your knowledge and help. Keep them coming!!
Another good idea for those without hydraulic steering is to turn the engine to port when stored, hiding the steering cable from the weather.
This is a great point that I highly suggest. My steering just seized up and this might have been an easier way to fix
Here is another consideration for people that use their boats in cold environments. If leaving your boat in the water for a short time (a few days) where temperatures fall below freezing, keep the motor trimmed down in the water. I often use my boat for duck hunting in the Chesapeake Bay area in December and January. So I don't have to launch my boat in the dark at 5:00 am I'll sometimes launch it the day before and keep it tied at the dock. Maybe keep it there for a few days if I am hunting several times in that period. Often at night the temperature will fall to cause freezing of the water surface, but just a quarter inch below the surface the temperature is higher and the water stays liquid. With the motor trimmed down in the water there is no water in the motor passageways above the water line. The water in the lower unit below the waterline will not freeze below the crust of ice. And, at cold temperatures, there is little or no fowling marine growth.
Exactly. We all have to do that as the freezing starts here in the Nordic countries. Also keep the motor trimmed down as soon as it's up from the water.
Growth start here in July and ends in October. We have freezing nights in April and it normally starts in November så it's important not to leave your boats unintended during that period.
Yes Sir. Over here (Norway) the most used policy is: outboard engine down "off season" and up during summer. We only take the boat on land when there is serious ice and throw it back in the water as soon as possible after the ice leaves... (and then of course karma kicks in and the ice comes back ;-) ).
I always take my boat out of the water, clean it and store it dry in the garage. I'm happy i have the space to do that.
Geeeezzzzz! Thank you. Our boat is now kept on a lift. I have been doing it wrong for four years!... Aaron, you are the best!
why, thank you :)
Years ago when I was an outboard tech I would tell this to the customer and explain the things you just did, the owner of the shop would also explain this and was one of the policies he had in his shop, since we would also store boats. Never the less customers would always forget, No matter how many times you would tell them. When I left Florida and went to California I had a customer who would always remember to tie a line from the dingy to his small outboard but he would never remember to remove the outboard from the dingy, on his way back to Los Angeles from Catalina Island, which is about 26miles away !!!....He would sometimes tow the dingy with the motor under water for 16 to 19 miles before he noticed !!...lol He would show up at the shop and say to me .....Dan I did it again...lol
In freezing conditions , duck hunting winter trolling on northern lakes etc. It is best to leave the lower unit in the water to prevent damage that may happen to a tilted up motor. Damage to the impeller or the lower unit itself can happen due to water trapped in the lower unit that freezes and expands. You Southern boys don't have to worry about this!
I can't believe electrolysis isn't mentioned as a reason to keep it out of the water. Trim it up out of the water primarily to avoid electrolysis. I've seen stray dock current can eat a hole in a lower end case in less than 2 months. Also, stainless props look nice but are a much harder metal which transfers any shock to internal parts. Aluminum props will bend and break if you hit something, but its better than buying a new lower end, IMO.
And if you have an aluminium boat there can even come holes in the manifold if that shiny nice prop is in the water. Weakest link et.c...
First of all even with your engine trimmed up the engine mount on the transom is still in the water, Secondly your phone should be properly protected through the use of grounding wires and sacrificial anodes! What do you think boat owners do when they have I/Os, Even when the drives are in the up most position they are still usually have submerged! If a boat or your Marina has a problem with electrolysis your sacrificial anodes will start deteriorating before any of your aluminum, That is literally what they are there for!
Great, succinct video!! Love the open motor views to see where and what specifically you folks are talking about. Excellent editing!! Thank you.
Thanks for the heads up, I'm running my outboard every couple weeks, hull out of water due to repairs etc, didn't really think to trim it up for 15mins so oil could drain back to pan also, cheers great channel learning lots yewwww
If you keep your boat on a lift in saltwater, start your freshwater washdown after boating by trimming up to properly rinse your trim/tilt components first, especially the $800 trim motor! Wash the rest of the boat. Then a quick trim system spray from a spray bottle of salt away mixture before you lower the engine...completely. (In addition, if you have a four-stroke, you've also covered the oil issue)
I trailer and experienced the smoky startups. My mechanic recommended leaving a little positive trim while on the trailer, but I understand your recommendation to fully tuck after trailering home with positive trim. Thanks!
Aaron - My Pathfinder is always back on the trailer after use. Only exception is when staying on overnight trips. I always trim motor up and out of the water at the dock, and trimmed down and full left rudder at my covered storage in my Cypress, Texas. Perko switch is always off when on the trailer. Never had problem with corrosion. I fish primarily in Texas and Louisiana bays.
I take my boat out of the water and on the trailer... evertime, also thanks for the good advice👍
Lol, "the oil can drain down to the crackcase" But shows us a 2 stroke motor :)
Outstanding video guys - Thank you...... You just added 200 hours of life to my engines.....
Glad it helped!
Something for I/O owners, when you park your boat out of the water turn your steering straight and trim the drive down as much as possible. This reduces stress on the components between the transom plate and gimbal.
Never thought about where the oil was when the motor was in a specific trim spot (up/down/between). Great info! Thanks for sharing!
Glad to help!
I'm surprised electrolysis wasn't mentioned for leaving outboards down, especially in a marina!
Me too. Sometimes people can only trim the outboards out far enough to pull all the zinks out of the water and leave the prop and below unprotected. Seems there's an invention or two that could solve that problem but like usual, I won't work on it and instead, will watch someone else get rich with the solution. But I'll always know I had the solution first.
@@jonesjones7057 Many marinas today have lifts in them which allows the boat to be 100% out of the water. (Mine is that way) I think that’s what they may be referring too.
@@jonesjones7057 mercathode
He did say corrosion.
I keep my boat on a trailer I trim down and at the end I put a 4x4 wood piece and rest slightly the engines lower unit on it to take weight out of transom.
Where have you been my whole boating life. Great information….
Im gooood to gooo !!!¡¡¡ never had 4stk and never will, I keep my 2 smokers till I die. Dont have to worry about AAANY of that, always trimed up, in or out the water, for short or long periods. LOOONG LIVE THE 2 STK 💨💨💥💥
Trailer & lift...I have an I/O and never leave boat in the water...fresh water only. Enjoyed the video..
Suzukis have a drain on the port side, bottom cylinder. Keep the engine up a bit allow water drain out of the head. Keep it down will result in build up and corrosion on the bottom, 4th, cylinder block/head.
Polished rams?
When I was taught hydraulics.
They called that part “the shiny bit”
😂😂😂😂
Honestly.
It was in all the training and works manuals and was always referred to as the shiny bit.
I don’t know if that’s a British thing.
Or just an RAF thing.
But if you took the undercarriage off a fighter jet, that bit of the ram was always referred to as the shiny bit in all the manuals.
Polished ram sounds better tho.
I like that.
And your explanation for not leaving the engines tipped up made a lot of sense.
Thanks for that. Excellent info.
I have no experience at all on fixing boats.
I’ve worked on HGVs, vans, cars and planes.
But boats have problems I’d never even considered.
Or would think of.
So your channel has been a great find.
There is no substitute for experience.
In the water for the season here in NJ. On a trailer in the off season. My old Yamaha 150 still has the tip of the torpedo in the water even when fully trimmed up. My boat must have gained weight over the years. So the torpedo tip gets crusty. This year I think I’m going to “stripe” the trailing end of the lower with aluminum safe anti fouling paint so the “torpedo” and the back of the skeg don’t get crusty with barnacles
I trailer my boat and therefore always leave the outboard trimmed up. I’m not worried about the hydraulic seals because my Honda outboard has a metal stop you can swing down for the outboard to sit on instead of the hydraulics. I’ve never thought about the rams being protected by the hydraulic fluid when retracted. That’s a really great point!
it is not only the sun on seals, it is the heat in the rams from the sun & salt that ruins the trim seals
I think he's referring to the tilt, not the trim.
Mine boat is all time in the water, i just trim outboard up and thats it.
One time a year boat goes out in marina to clean it up and put new layer of antifouling.
That normal here in Mediterian.
Regards from Croatia :)
Great info! Just purchased my first boat. Wisdom is good!
Lifted in the Boat Barn every time I go ashore overnight or longer so as to ensure that I have no problems with the anything below the red line. You see I inherited my boat along with a pipe made of the buildup one finds that the water line when they leave their boat in the water which is why my PT boat is now made out of a stainless steel. And yes now I know I have a whole new list of problems but I prefer these problems my original idea was steel with a bronze sheet overlay and I decided against that the next idea was steel with a malignant disulfide treatment coating but I found a dairy that was closing so I went with stainless instead because the food grade tanks were quite marvelous at taking care of most of the issues that I was worried about and quite durable if taken care of appropriately.
I do both. In water and on trailer for many trips. Usually pull out of water every 2-3 weeks and clean or when pull to hit a lake.
Thanks for this! I now clearly understand where to keep my engines and why.
Did not know about the trim oil. Boat is on a lift. Will trim up as I am cleaning the boat. Thanks for the excellent advice.
Sold the Big boat, Now I trailer the bay boat. What a maintenance saver! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
I live in northern New York,. There are a surprising amount of people that store their boats outside, with the lower unit up, and the bow down. That way everything can fill with water and freeze or rot. I also see many people tow with the motor fully trimmed up, which seems would put a lot of extra strain on the transom. A little up so it doesn't drag sure, but all the way up seems unnecessary.
I take my boat out of the water every winter and have it on land till spring, and while its on land i change the oil, and gear oil, also check the spark plugs and fuel filter also cleaning the carbs.
Our Patrol boat sits in the lake, sometimes used once a week. We keep the engines trimmed down, ready to go. While cleaning the boat after use should I trim the motors up a little to allow the oil to go down to the pan?
Great information, never thought about it to much. Seemed common sense to leave it down on the trailer but the oil in the heads explained a lot with the smoke when I first started engine. Keep it up Arron you are always teaching us and I for one do greatly appreciate it. 👍😎🌴 stay safe out there.
Glad it helped
It used to be common hear in Florida to have a thick plastic bag like thing you placed over the lower unit and put detergent in to inhibit growth
I have a 150 johnson ocean pro. 2 stroke. I keep mine trimmed up, but it rest on a lock rest or whatever its called. It looks like a fork, but the motor rest on that. I spray wd40 on the rams and all around that trim stuff. Never had no issues. I run motor at least 1 time every other week. Being doing it for years. And years no issues. If it gets real cold i make sure all water is out of lower unit and wrap it up. No issues. Tough motor though.
My V-20 Wellcraft didn't clear the outboard from the water. It had zincs and saw regular use with a 175 Evinrude but in the marina electrolysis rotted through the hydraulic piston for the power trim/tilt. My Maritime Skiff 2090 had no such issues. Hang extra zincs. I suppose?
I store my engines upright these days and run off a trailer.
I keep y boat in the garage. I always make sure there is grease on the seals of the trim motor. You don't want those seals to go dry.
I have a 2012 Xcursion tritoon with a Merc 115. It's always on the trailer. I store it with the motor up, resting on the "pin rest" to take the strain off. Sounds like I should keep it down for a few minutes to let the oil drain down before I leave it up. I would leave it down always except the marina tows it for me to covered storage 'til the next time out. Thanks for the tips!
I will tilt the motor all the way down anytime it is in deep enough water as well as when on the trailer and parked. The only time I trim up except for under power is when towing the boat. I also keep the engine down when running off plane because if not your power steering doesn't work well
Put some copper free bottom paint on the outboard lower unit gearcases, if like mine can’t lift high enough to clear the water while in seasonal marina slip.
My maim reason for leaving my four stroke outboard engine all the way up while in the trailer is to reduce weight/ stress to the transom due to the engine weight hanging down sometimes for months, please let me know if that’s ok according to your experience ?
By the way I keep my engine covered while in that position with a cover that covers the trim system from sun exposure.
Question: when boat is in water in the marina for lets say 3 days. You mention to trim the motors up out of the water...the question is do I flush the engine? Seems like pulling the motors up and out of the water you would want to flush. If there is no hose and you can't flush then I would rather leave the motors in the water so the saltwater doesn't dry out in the lower unit. Let me know
Trailer home, flushed, cleaned and put inside the shop. I run a dehumidifier to dry the excess water.
On a lift. Thanks for the info. Read in the manual about tilting up and then down to properly check oil level but didn't realize it's a good practice after every use.
However, on the winter, when the nights get negative degrees, you want to leave the lower unit in the water to prevent freezes inside of it.
Live in Norway keep my outboards always tilted up. And here its cold. Dosent matter a bit. Engines up all the years have been fine for 40 years
Thanks for the video. It’s a couple years old but certainly still relevant.
I remember at one time you could buy a external zinc set up, with a cable and clip it to your bonding systems. This would help with the electrolysis issue.
There was slso a drain plug that was a One Way plug that let water out of yhe hull, but stopped it from reentering it into hull
I bought a motor in 2016....it's a 2003 Mercury 9.9 2 stroke. I leave it on my trailer. I never rinse the boat, trailer, motor or gear. I fish inshore saltwater. Been fishing 25 years. Before, I always rinsed EVERYTHING. Until I bought this motor. I find the rate of corrosion to be minimally more aggressive over the last 4 years. Sure, some reels became "pepper grinders". But they get a lot of use. I'll never rinse again. The amount of work is not worth it the minimal gain. I live in Florida, so freeze is not an issue.
I also go fishing often. Lucky me, right? The biggest factor I see is frequency of use. "Use it or LOSE it". If it sits, it dies. If you want your motor to be reliable..... fish 4-6 times a month.
My pontoon boat stays in the water from June to September, I’m on a dam head pond, so lots of trees pass by my dock, I keep the engine trimmed up so they don’t hit the prop. Then when I take it out for winterization I leave it trim down, been doing that for three years now, no issues. Thanks for doing this informative video.
Great video. I’m always learning more and more information on boats. I have had a couple different type boats over the last 10 yrs and have always wondered about this same thing. Thanks again.
Very cool!
I leave mine partially up to drain the upper motor mount area and try to prevent the corrosion that builds up around the upper mount. Also I intentially blast up under and into this pocket really good to get rid of salt. yamahas. If youve ever pulled a yamaha power heads you know this is a corrosion area.
Having my boat in the water during season and having the motor trimmed up. Rust and electrolysis is not an issue, that is what the anodes are for. Algae and other growth is by far more dangerous, since it can clog up the cooling system and the engine can overheat and take serious damage.
Great advice I always kept it trimmed up in trailer
Here in indiana while we have a shorter season we definately have alot less issues. The o ly real concern is proper winterization
A benefit of an outboard motor I never considered. Hmmm. Next boat may find me in a different zone.
Awesome video once again very informative I would leave my boat in the water for 6 months now I’m in Florida on a trailer I like the trailer better
Thanks for the video. Is like a Continuing Education for boaters.
thanks!
OMG. You actually mentioned Outdrive!! When are you going to do a video/s on outdrive servicing?
You mean to say oil will go past the piston rings and into the combustion chamber. When talking about keeping the motor trimmed up a little.
Hi there
I have a 2019 bayliner F 21 element.
I leave my boat in the water due to not having a truck to pull it. So my outboard no matter if I trimmed it all the way the propeller still submerged in the water
The engines doesn't go all the way up . It touches the stern. Maybe there is a way to do it. Can you advise me.
Thank you
Carlos B
Used to leave at the dock all summer but what a mess to have to clean every fall so now I trailer it
This was very informative and something I was wondering about. Mine's on a boat lift and I was just keeping it down to protect the trim but didn't know about the oil issue.Thanks!
Thank you
Good topic. Enjoyed. My boat is on lift in western florida. I leave it all summer in down position but should tilt up while cleaning according to your instructions. A separate topic but related. When on a lift unattended for the summer would you recommend removing the boat’s drain plug thus allowing bilge water to escape if bilge pump fails. Conversely, if there is a storm surge seawater would come in through plug opening. Been wondering about this for years. Used to leave out but Irma surge let seawater in boat but pump was able to keep up, now have gone back to leaving it in. Sorry if off topic but a lot of people have boats on lifts and are gone for long periods.
Thank you for all of this information. Have a question - we have a Yamaha 4 stroke that had a smoky start and could smell oil burning. Telltale was not peeing water either. Shut it off and after a minute started back up and everything ran great for the entire day. Boat had been sitting for a couple of weeks on hoist with engine trimmed down. Could this also cause the telltale to not pee water?
Thoughts on mixing 2 things you said. I leave my boat in the water (salt). I usually left the engine all the way up and then hold in place with mechanical latch. I usually back down the cylinders some, but sounds like I should back them all the way in. Thoughts?
0:12 talk about instant reactions! You would've thought they were being shot at. 😂
I'm a new boater. I am learned a great deal from your videos. Thank you for that.
If my boat is kept in a marina all summer and on land all winter, should my engine be kept in the down position when not in use during the summer? What position should it be in during the winter when stored on land? I have an I/O engine.
There's a "tilt and trim" module for two separate functions. The trim rams do not lift the motor completely out of the water, but the tilt ram will. I see lots of comments about trimming the motor out of the water. You're probably referring to the tilt ram which is different that the trim rams. The tilt/trim module switches modes (you've likely heard it) between trim and tilt.
Thanks, docking outboard for first time, needed this
Glad it helped!
Always trailer,, and Rinse very well after every trip and it shows in my 1976 Grady, still looking like new
Great info you identified something I never thought of. Thank you
I cannot store my 70hp Suzuki trimmed all the way down in winter. Should I run antifreeze or similar through the motor flush since the water will not completely drain out?
The best part of this video is the short clip of those jumping out when the engine backfire
got mine of the lift just outta the water and ready to go thanks for the vid
I have a pressure washer that I use just twice a year. I flush the pump with something called, pump saver. Pump saver comes in a small aerosol can which replaces the water in the pump under pressure with some kind of oily preservative. The can has a hose bib fitting. Might this stuff be good for long term storage of an outboard? If you push pump saver through the engine it could help preserve and prevent corrosion in cooling passages, thermostat, and impeller.
2020 Tracker pro guide V175 Combo Mercury 115 EXLPT 4 stroke . I trailer the boat park it in a shelter logic portable tarp garage enclosed on a cement pad I keep the engine slightly trimmed up oh I live in GA by lake Allatoona
Not sure I'd take advice from a fella who points to the cylinders of a OMC V6 two stroke looper and talks about issues caused by the oil draining towards the combustion chamber
Inland angler and my boat is always on it's trailer, a four-stroke mercury. Now i understand why after fishing in grass with moter trimmed up, when i trim down and start immediately it will sometimes give a puff of smoke. Thanks for great info. 👍
thanks!!
Thanks I always like your vids. I learned the hard way of keeping the motor trimmed up, as here in Alabama with freezing temps I believe that caused my O rings on the prop shaft carrier to freeze and go bad and start leaking. I will have to start leaving it in the down position in winter.
Why i like my outboard over i/o . I trim up out of water and flush motor with fresh water on quick connect . Also noticing my lovely 2 stoke is outlast my friends with newer 4 strokes.
Trimming down tonight! Thanks
I just bought a 2021 Suzuki DF 15 ael3 and I was wondering why it smokes just a little at first startup after sitting trim down for several days.. now I know I need to trim it up after running it for about 15 minutes to allow the oil to drain off of the cylinders
hello, I would like to congratulate you on your channel and the information you share. Your videos are very complete and have a mechanic’s view, this is very good and also generates a lot of credibility. on seeing your latest tips i would like to know if leaving your engines in clean fresh water can cause some kind of problem. being more specific, I use barrels with water to sweeten and start the engines at least once a week for a period of 10 minutes. thanks
thank you!
My boat is stored in a rack, with the motors trimmed down. Forklift dude likes it like that.
I've been thinking "transom savers" (and therefore trimming up) are an important part of storage
@born again boating. So just to be clear, leaving a for stroke motor fully trimmed up out of fresh lake water for a week or 2 at a time is still better than leaving it trimmed down even if no growth? I have a 2021 merc 250hp pro xs. Thanks
Thank you for your question! Please post it in our Born Again Boating Community! Go here and scroll down to access - it’s free: www.bornagainboating.com/
Thank you for the video.
Helps a new boater like me tremendously.
I have a boat in a slip year round and not on a lift.
I keep my outboard in the water year round. Boat is in freshwater.
Yes algae builds up but have clean periodically. Do I still have to worry about build up like you mentioned assuming your video was targeting salt water.
Also during the winter months at freezing temperatures I leave motor trimmed all the way down in the water correct?
Thank you for your question! Please post it in our Born Again Boating Community! Go here and scroll down to access - it’s free: www.bornagainboating.com/
SO whats the best way to flush after use ( when boat is in the water) trim down flush , or trim up and flush using upper connector?
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Good Feedback.... On a lift 10 months out of a year (3x350 Yama’s)... when in the water raise them out of the water at night. Need to nudge them on the lift occasionally! Have you done any testing of Salt Away or similar treatments?
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Great Lakes boater, have a stern drive, kept on trailer, drive in trimmed in the trailer position while trailering, and trimmed down when not, and seasonal storage to keep the bellows in a natural unstreched position
Thanks for all your videos. I learn alot by watching them. Keep putting out videos. 👍🤙😎
Thanks for watching!!