Outboards + cold weather

Jim Kolstoe · Nov 26, 2008

non-expert thought

Manny, I don't claim to be an expert on outboards, but my policy has always been to tilt my outboard clear of the water (the h23 motor mount does not permit raising it vertically). In doing so, I have always observed that tillting the outboard appears to completely drain the water out, as I believe it was designed to do. I don't face the same problem that you do in that annual drawdown of the local lake forces me to bring the boat home for the winter, so the outboard is stored in a heated area, clamped to a board standing up. The standing up is to simplify storage, not for drainage.
I suppose you could experiment to see if changing its postion from vertical to tilted, and from tilted to vertical causes additional water drainage after an initial period of draining. If you do, let us know the results.
Jim Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo

tommays · Nov 27, 2008

The power head should drain fine, the danger comes from the through prop exaust area staying filled with enough water to freeze and crack

knowitall · Nov 27, 2008

My Tohatsu manual says leave lower unit in the water.

There is less chance of any freezing of the innards if it is submerged.

Tim R. · Nov 27, 2008

I have seen many outboards that get water into their lower unit oil that does not drain automatically. While this is a symptom of a different problem, if the lower end is out of the water, it could freeze and crack the lower unit housing. I would leave it in the water.

Ross · Nov 27, 2008

I have seen a foot of ice on the river down here. How about putting a bucket of antifreeze under it and running it for a minute?

sailingdog · Nov 28, 2008

Depends on the water temp. If the water freezes, and the outboard is down in it...the outboard could get damaged.

Ross said:
I have seen a foot of ice on the river down here. How about putting a bucket of antifreeze under it and running it for a minute?

petersea · Nov 28, 2008

Leave the outboard up and cover the exhaust outlet so no water can get in, shrink wrap tape works well or a plastic bag. Ideally a motor mount lift that lifts up and still keep the lower unit straight is a good option, Best answer is take it off and bring it home to garage or basement.

knowitall · Nov 28, 2008

If outboard manufacturer says leave it down - leave it down.

Right in the Tohatsu manual. In the event of freezing temperatures being encountered when the engine is still mounted on the boat, it is recommended that the engine be left down so the lower unit is in the water.

Ross · Nov 28, 2008

knowitall said:
Right in the Tohatsu manual. In the event of freezing temperatures being encountered when the engine is still mounted on the boat, it is recommended that the engine be left down so the lower unit is in the water.

It all rather depends upon the duration of the subfreezing temperatures.
In 1989 the temperature dropped below freezing at Thanksgiving and didn't rise above freezing until mid January. The Coast Guard had several buoys carried away by the ice.