Outboard Motor Support at Dock

R

Robert

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Jan 16, 2024
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Fluid Motion Model
C-242 C
Non-Fluid Motion Model
I have a R23 on order
In perusing our R23 Yamaha F200 owners manual it mentions when the motor is stored in the tilted position, it should be supported using the "Tilt Support Lever". Until reading this we normally just raised the engine using the hydraulics and left it alone. Does anyone use the Tilt Support Lever at the dock? Will leaving the engine supported by the hydraulics cause undue strain on the system?

We boat on the Ohio River and the vessel stays in the water at our Marina. We have periods of single digit temperatures with minor ice build up. When this occurs we lower the engine to a vertical position to protect the lower unit from freezing. The owners manual suggest "... when the ambient temperature is 41 deg. F. or below, tilt the outboard motor up..." Other thoughts on this?
 
Robert said:
In perusing our R23 Yamaha F200 owners manual it mentions when the motor is stored in the tilted position, it should be supported using the "Tilt Support Lever". Until reading this we normally just raised the engine using the hydraulics and left it alone. Does anyone use the Tilt Support Lever at the dock? Will leaving the engine supported by the hydraulics cause undue strain on the system?

We boat on the Ohio River and the vessel stays in the water at our Marina. We have periods of single digit temperatures with minor ice build up. When this occurs we lower the engine to a vertical position to protect the lower unit from freezing. The owners manual suggest "... when the ambient temperature is 41 deg. F. or below, tilt the outboard motor up..." Other thoughts on this?
Click to expand...

If stored on a trailer or out of the water, I always store with the engine fully down (regardless of outside temperature)
If stored in the water, with freezing temps, I always lower the engine into the water so it's vertical.
This prevents any water from freezing inside the engine.

I use the tilt stop to hold the engine up when moored in the water. It's possible for the hydraulics to slightly leak by, causing the engine to lower over time is a reason to use to it. I've not had that happen, but have heard of it happening to others. But I use the tilt stop for a different reason. Resting the engine on the tilt stop allows me to fully retract the trim pistons. That fully protects the trim pistons inside the hydraulic cylinder where they are not exposed to the elements. With the trim piston shafts fully extended, it's fully exposed to the elements at the dock. Corrosion and pitting may occur, then when retracted, the hydraulic seals may deteriorate. It's hydraulics, they're gonna eventually leak and fail anyway. I just want to prolong those hydraulic seals as long as possible.

Quick Tip for your Yamaha engine.
 
Thanks Martin. I've seen your video but, unless I'm missing something, the piston on the F200 does not retract when lowered after supporting the engine. I'll plan on applying Yamashield periodically during the season.
 
Robert said:
Thanks Martin. I've seen your video but, unless I'm missing something, the piston on the F200 does not retract when lowered after supporting the engine. I'll plan on applying Yamashield periodically during the season.
Click to expand...
Why wouldn’t they? I didn’t realize the f200 was different.

There are 3 pistons. It’s the 2 short trim pistons that get protected. Not the tilt piston.
 
If you are leaving the boat in the water all the time as I do, you always want to use the Support Levers so that the hydraulics are not damaged by the weight of the engines. That is especially true if you getting heavy weather or currents in the harbor that causes a lot of boat movement.

I don't normally retract the rams (pistons) since I am using the boat regularly year round and we don't have below freezing temps. in CA. However, it's essential to do so, as Martin points out, if you are leaving the boat for an extended period. It takes a while to engage them but they will start to retract.

One additional thing I do is to add a weight bering shim (under the Support lever) so that I can maximize the tilt and keep the engines out of the water, as much as possible.
 
Rocky Lou. Are you saying the ram will retract on the F200 if hold the switch a little longer?
 
Yes, my brother had F200s and always retracted the Rams on his motors. To confirm, you raise the engines, engage the support locks, hold the button until the Ram starts to retract.
 
Robert said:
Rocky Lou. Are you saying the ram will retract on the F200 if hold the switch a little longer?
Click to expand...
It takes about 90 seconds of holding in the button on my F300 to fully retract them.
 
Finally made it to the boat. Supported the engine using the support bracket. Held the trim switch in the down position for like two minutes and the piston did not retract. I guess I'll try contacting Yamaha to verify if it should retract or not. Just FYI.
 
Robert said:
Finally made it to the boat. Supported the engine using the support bracket. Held the trim switch in the down position for like two minutes and the piston did not retract. I guess I'll try contacting Yamaha to verify if it should retract or not. Just FYI.
Click to expand...

It's the two shorter pistons that retract, not the single tilt longer piston.
 
Robert said:
Finally made it to the boat. Supported the engine using the support bracket. Held the trim switch in the down position for like two minutes and the piston did not retract. I guess I'll try contacting Yamaha to verify if it should retract or not. Just FYI.
Click to expand...
Robert,

I am confused by your reference to "the piston." It's the two trim rods that retract, not the tilt rod.

1740427555121.png
 
Evidently the F200 has one tilt and trim rod combined. Not a separate tilt rod and separate trim rods.
1000003441.png
 
Robert said:
Evidently the F200 has one tilt and trim rod combined. Not a separate tilt rod and separate trim rods.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure. Maybe snap a pic of your motor. The F200 manual going back as far as 2015 appears to show all three rods. The snapshot I posted above is from the current F200 maual.
 
Robert said:
Evidently the F200 has one tilt and trim rod combined. Not a separate tilt rod and separate trim rods.
Click to expand...

I'm googling images of the newer F200's, and it would appear Yamaha's changed some things on the tilt/trim unit. With only a single trim/tilt piston, there isn't anything to retract when up on the tilt stop.

Note, the newer transom brackets on the F200 look like electric steering, but they are hydraulic.

 
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