We do a lot of boating both in freshwater and saltwater. Whenever I come back from a day out in saltwater, I often ask myself whether I should leave the outboard up or down in saltwater? To ensure that I do the right thing with my boat, I took the time to research, and I found answers.
So, should you leave the outboard up or down in saltwater? If you will leave your boat in the water, then it’s best to leave it positioned upwards. If you left it out of the water, it would be ideal to leave it in a downward position so that water can drain.
The choice of whether to leave the outboard up or down depends on various factors, and growth is just one of them. These factors need to be considered to ensure that your boat would last you for a very long time.
Leave Outboard Up or Down
Leaving the outboard up or down in saltwater has its pros and cons. When you leave your boat out in seawater, you are exposing the outboard engine to a host of organisms living in the sea. The most common problem of many boat owners is the growth of barnacles. Suffice to say, saltwater is a haven for these tiny crustaceans, and leaving the outboard down while the boat is in the water, is an invitation for barnacle growth.
Another thing to consider about leaving the outboard down in saltwater is corrosion. This process happens faster in saltwater due to the presence of salt. This does not mean that corrosion will not occur in freshwater, because in both instances, it is water that triggers corrosion. It’s just that saltwater is a better conductor, which then hastens the reaction on the metal surface, leading to corrosion.
So what happens if you leave the outboard in the up position?
When you leave it up, you are preventing the continuous exposure of the engine to saltwater. This action results in two things: you are avoiding rapid barnacle buildup, and you are also hindering the acceleration of the oxidation process, which results in the formation of rust.
One thing that you must take note of is that if the boat is already out of the water, then it would be wise to trim it down. This will help in draining saltwater from the outboard. This will also ensure that no water will be left inside and possibly damage the engine.
There is a way to get rid of any saltwater residue lodged in tiny crevices of the engine. You can flush the engine using freshwater, which we’ll be talking about a bit later. This will thoroughly remove saltwater from the engine and ensure that you will not be left with any oxidation-friendly elements in the engine.
Location Factors that Affect Whether to Leave Outboard Up or Down
Your location plays a significant role whenever you decide on leaving the outboard either up or down. If you live in areas where the weather is mostly cold, leaving the outboard engine in the water will not have the same effect as if you are living in hotter regions. The difference lies in the water’s temperature. For instance, if you are living in the Caribbean, your engine is more prone to gather barnacles than when you are living in New York. Yes, both may have saltwater, but the latter will usher more growth in hot areas than in cold ones. Thus, it will be safe for your boat to leave the outboard engine up when in the water and just trim it down when you take it out of the water. Remembering these scenarios can mean preserving your outboard engine’s life for a long time.
Instances when outboard can be left in the water
There are instances when taking the boat out of the water may be very impractical and time-consuming. Think about this, if you were using the boat again in a couple of hours, it would be too strenuous for you to trim up, only to trim it down back after several hours. So don’t stress about trimming it up or down when you only have a short interval between usages.
The only exception to this is if you would be leaving your boat in the water for weeks. This is a no-no, and boat owners must realize that while this may be acceptable, it must not be the standard. Staying on the safe side, you need to position the engine upward.
Flushing after Leaving the Outboard Up or Down
Flushing is the post-use process utilized by boat owners to ensure that no saltwater will remain in the engine. Freshwater is mostly used for flushing out saltwater. Some owners would religiously flush the engines after every use. This may be alright. However, this will be too much of an effort for those who would be using the boat again. A few hours’ difference without flushing the engine after the last use will not be a cause for alarm. However, if you have the time to flush the saltwater out, then there’s nothing wrong with it. After all, flushing is one way to preserve your outboard engine.
A Solution to Barnacle Growth on Outboard Engine
Now, after so many years of adequately taking care of your boat, you find out one day that there were already lots of barnacles on the engine. If this is the case, you should first take out the boat from the water. Remember, barnacles can be removed when the boat is moored. You can use a stainless steel scrubber to remove them from the surface. Larger barnacles may need a putty knife to be removed. To preserve the surface of your engine, use a plastic putty knife. If this is still ineffective, then you can start using heavy-duty knives but with dull edges. Don’t forget to pressure wash the boat after that.
RELATED QUESTIONS
How much is an outboard engine? Outboard engine cost varies. You can buy a used one, which can cost only several hundred dollars. On the other hand, if you will obtain a brand new engine, then be ready to shell out thousands of dollars. Other considerations that you must take a look at when you plan to purchase an outboard motor include the horsepower and the number of years used (in case secondhand).
Which is better, a single-engine or twin-engine? Both engines have their pros and cons. When it comes to price, single-engine boats cost less as compared to twin-engines. However, when it comes to power and maneuverability, twin-engine boats will beat single-engines anytime. The former can easily maneuver even through tight spaces. Also, in case one engine fails, the other one will power the whole boat.
How to store outboard engine during winter? Since you might not be planning any boat trips during winter and you are most likely to store it for more than a month, better ensure that you store it properly. It is recommended that you leave the outboard engine in a down position. This will help get rid of all the water that may have accumulated inside the engine. Ensuring that all water flows out of the motor will help in avoiding freezing problems. You surely don’t want to encounter engine or motor-related issues just because you missed to bring the engine trimmed down.
