Outboard up or down in freezing conditions

[Nwdiver]

Was just watching Martin’s video about the conditions in Everett and noticed his outboards were down in the water. I thought you normally kept them up while docked? Doesn’t the water drain out the bottom of the outboard, preventing freeze damage when tilting up out of the water.

https://youtu.be/UIkpWFSSWBA

 

[Catch22]

If you watched Martin's video you also saw outboards trimmed up. Given the single digit Temps they have experienced I would be surprised if there are not some expensive repairs in store for improperly prepared owners.
Outboards self drain in full vertical position.Tilted position can trap water in the lower unit power leg.The ambient temperature of marina water in normal years in the NW will transfer to the lower unit. The water temp is warmer than the sub freezing air Temps. As long as the ice depth is not excessive ,the lower unit will survive. I am guessing the water currents in Martin's marina will help also.. Mother Nature can be a _____!

 

[Nwdiver]

Yep, this is why I’m building a climate controlled storage for my boat. Well, actually I am building a shop with storage area for the boat. I like being warm when working in the shop, the boat just can hang out with me in my shop

 

[Submariner]

I thought you normally kept them up while docked? Doesn’t the water drain out the bottom of the outboard, preventing freeze damage when tilting up out of the water.

My outboards are usually kept in the up position, most of the time. When the Port of Everett sends out a notice that they are shutting off the water to the dock to prevent their pipes from freezing, that is my queue to drop the outboards down into the warm(er) water.

The exhaust hub most likely has water in it just from moving it from down to up being moored on the water. The Puget Sound water stays around 42 degrees year round.

This cold storm was unusual for us. My outboards have been down since Dec 23 in preparation (That's when Port of Everett shut off water to the dock). But it didn't get to freezing temps until Sunday, Dec 26th. Today's high was 31 degrees with a low of 12 degrees. Tomorrow's high is predicted at 36 degrees with a low of 13. Sunday we are supposed to see a high of 41 with a low of 33. Monday and onward it looks like a low of around 30 with a high of 37. So we should be thawed out here in a few more days.

Shelter Bay up by La Conner also froze over something terrible. They couldn't break their ice with a snow shovel in the video I saw of it. Our ice was about 1/4" thick. At the end of the dock it was about 3/8". At the front of my boat next to the dock it was about 1/8".

I've still got some winter projects to complete but I'm waiting for at least 45 degree temp's. I really like your idea of a climate controlled garage for the boat.

Being at the mouth of the river, we do have water movement in addition to the tides which helps against freezing.

I'm curious as to what damage, if any, others in the marina who left their outboards up experience.

To flush the Yamaha F300, it's best to do that with the outboard kicked up for best results.
But to drain all the water out of the outboard it needs to be in the down/vertical position.

 

[Submariner]

Just kicked up the outboards up.

There’s still a sheet of ice in the marina, but it’s cleared up all around the boat. It’s 38 degrees out and raining.


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[Annie Time]

Glad to hear you’re thawing out. It’s 78 here in Rivera Beach,Fl. We are getting a few sprinkles today.


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[Srm]

I have a 300 Yamaha on my 2020R27OB and was told by my dealer that flushing the engine in the up position will leave water inside the unit. It flushes better in the up position but some water will remain so not the best in freezing conditions. Also, if the engine is tipped too soon after running, water will remain in the jackets. They recommended turning off engine, let sit for a few minutes, flush with fresh water, let sit again for a few minutes and then tip. This is what I did and had no issues with -10C. When it warms up I will let the engine drain of salt water then tip, flush and leave out of the water to keep the algae off.

 

[baz]

...snip... and leave out of the water to keep the algae off.

One of the nice things with the R23 and R25 Outboards is that when the outboard is fully raised it's completely out of the water.

 

[Jimbo]

I have been boating for many years on lakes in Northern Ontario where temps drop to -18C for a few days and ice forms around the boat before I give up and have the boat taken out.

The rule from mechanics and locals is ALWAYS leave the motor down in cold weather.

That way you are sure it is drained to the water line, and the water keeps it a little warmer.

If any water is trapped when you tilt it up, big problem.

I never had an issue in over 20 years.

Keep it down if freezing is a possibility.