$130.00 charge to store outdrives indoors ?

[kazie]

The marina offers the option of storing outdrives in their service dept building for a fee of $65.00 per drive over the winter. This fee does not include any labor just a storage fee. I can just leave the outdrives on the boat over the winter or pay the $130.00 indoor storage fee. What's your opinion

 

[Presentation]

Is your outdoor storage area very secure? Things like propellers and drives are easy for a thief to take when the boat is on land. Lots of demand for these also.

 

[kazie]

I have Mcgard stern drive locks and the props will be sent out to be reconditioned and will not be reinstalled until spring launch. The $130.00 charge does not sound like much but I don't spend money for something I may not need to do.

 

[Presentation]

When properly winterized there is no weather related reason to store the drives indoors.
Blow air out your speedometer tube.

If you are confident with your theft deterrent methods then there is no reason to keep the drives indoors.

 

[tbirdvet]

I concur with Presentation. I use McGard locks on the drives and also remove the props to take home since should remove and lube shafts anyway.

 

[fwebster]

Protect yourself...........whether it is inside or outside with locks.

Many boat yards are ghost towns in the winter, ripe for stealing props, lower units and drives. Every spring we have 2-3 CSR members reporting the theft of expensive parts from their boat left in untended yards over winter.

 

[JVM225]

Another vote for using locks if you plan on outdoor storage. Your concern shouldn't be for the physical well being of the drives, but you need to watch out for theft.
If the boatyard is desolate in the winter, the locks might not even protect you. I've seen some damage done to boats by thieves trying to defeat the locks. But they need some time alone to do it.
Another choice is to pop them off yourself, and bring them home. I store mine in my friends shop for the winter. It gives me a chance to clean them up, do the water pumps (mine are in the drives), fill them with fresh oil, and paint them, while they're off.
Having them off is also good so you can check on the bellows and gimble bearing.
If left outside, removing the props is a no brainer. If they are nice and you leave them on, they stand a good chance of winding up on ebay or craigslist.