Outdrive Up?

J

jacktm

New Member
Oct 16, 2006
175
ny
Boat Info
boatless
Engines
boatless
When I have my boat winterized they shrink wrap the outdrive in the up position. I understand this isn't the ideal way to store it for the winter. How do you handle this?

Thanks
Jack
 
No it is not the proper way to store the boat and outdrive. Mercury recommends putting the outdrive in down position.
 
Well, you probably don't have a choice. Mercury recommends it, and that is the ideal way, but...if you can't, you can't.
For my 175, I can't put the outdrive all the way down while on the trailer either. So I just lower it as much as I can. I don't shrinkwrap, but have a full cover for it. Maybe you could consider that instead of shrinkwrap...
 
If the shrink wrap will allow it, drive the boat/trailer home with the drive up, and then lower it when you park it for the winter. If the shrink wrap tears, or needs to be removed to lower the drive, that's OK. You can re-wrap it, but the drive should be down for long-term storage.
 
I've always known this as well, but I thought it had to do with holding water in the exhaust. Shrink wrap should keep it dry. The question is, is it just a matter of holding water or are there other considerations?
 
Hampton said:
I've always known this as well, but I thought it had to do with holding water in the exhaust. Shrink wrap should keep it dry. The question is, is it just a matter of holding water or are there other considerations?
Click to expand...

I was told it also puts stress on the rubber seals.:huh:
 
Hampton said:
I've always known this as well, but I thought it had to do with holding water in the exhaust. Shrink wrap should keep it dry. The question is, is it just a matter of holding water or are there other considerations?
Click to expand...

The other consideration from what I understand is you don't want the bellows to rest in a stretched position, as this will cause premature wear.
 
Have you considered removing the drive and putting a cover on the bell housing?
I saw a link for a cover that fits the exact cutout of the bell housing. Then you can store the drive in your basement and do any PM that you need.
It will also allow you to inspect the bellows, gimbal, etc.
I used to struggle with the same issue with my 180 when I had it shrink wrapped.
Here's the link to the item I was talking about: Although when you click for prices somethign isn't working but you can at least see what I was talking about:
http://mercstuff.com/wintercover.htm
 
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Still LauCo said:
The other consideration from what I understand is you don't want the bellows to rest in a stretched position, as this will cause premature wear.
Click to expand...

That sounds familiar. By the way, not to recommend a poor procedure, because I'm not, but due to the way we stored our boat ('97 250) and the trouble with lowering the drive and installing the boat cover, we stored ours in the up position for 10 years. We replaced the bellows at the 8 1/2 year point. I knew of the warnings about the storage position, but chose to test the system and save quite a bit of time/trouble over a 10 year period.

I don't recommend it.

I don't recommend it.

I don't recommend it, but it worked for us.
 
My mechanic routinely removes drives as a part of winterization. This is a workload issue, as it allows him to winterize more boats in the fall, and then keeps him busy doing drive maintenance in January/February.

The bellows on my boat are 11 years old <knocks on wood>
 
I think there is too much emphasis placed on shrink wrapping the outdrives. Everyone knows outdrives are designed to withstand immersion in water for extended periods and operate under harsh conditions. Exposing an outdrive to air will probably benefit it more than a shrink wrapping, ie, no condensation buildup. Additionally, storing the drive in a full up position will lead to stretching of the bellows and the possiblility for the bellows to develop a "set". However, if you need to cover it, something breathable would probably be the better choice. Tell them not to shrikwrap the drive and store the drive in the down position when you get it home. Then, enjoy the winter, worry free until you unwrap your baby next spring.
 
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Maybe I am missing something but If the batteries are out and there is no way to get into the boat because of the wrap

How do I get the drive down?
 
08_240Sundeck said:
You are not missing anything....with it wrapped and the batteries out, you can't put the drive down after the fact. Two options: don't wrap it so you can put the drive down and take out the batteries once it's at the storage location -- or -- store it with drive up.
Click to expand...

Or third option.......Remove the drive in the future. It is very simple and will give you all winter to do any maint and address any issues prior to Spring. You can inspect the bellows, gimbal, etc.
 
if you're hell bnt on wrapping the drives, leave them un-shrinkwrapped,get a heavy duty plastic dropcloth, cut it up and wrap the drive with that and duct tape. if you store outdoors all winter, i'd also stuff a rag in the exhaust opening beneath the drive. i'm not sure if all drives have those flapper-type check valves in the exhaust lines but any extra preventative measure cant hurt. just be sure to remove the rag in the spring before startup!
 
I stored my two previous boats year round over a six year period at my dealer's Dry Stack facility where they require the drives to be in the trailer position all the time. This facility is a large one and several hundred boats are stored there and I never heard one problem from anyone, including the service people, about bellows taking a "set" (which is the main reason you hear about why not to store in this position.)

I would suggest you don't worry about it.
 
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