Help settle a dispute between a friend and me. If you keep your 4 stroke outboard in the water, on a freshwater lake; should the motor be left down in the water, or tilted up out of the water?
depends on the water, I’ve seen some fresh water lakes that were as corrosive as salt water, its best to err on the side of caution and keep it trimmed up if you are going to leave it there for long
I’d say up is fine except in the winter. You don’t want your lower unit out of the water and full of rain water when it gets real cold. Ask anyone who’s ever had one cracked by freezing temps when they left it up.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
FWIW—regardless of stroke pattern or climate, if boat vandalism/ theft is a problem in your area, a raised mota makes it real easy for a nighttime boater to steal your prop. If you choose to keep it raised for whatever reason, maybe consider a prop-lock.
Course sometimes they just steal the whole lower unit…wish it weren’t so, but something to consider.
Wintertime leave in the water. Summer out of water. Grow than start in your water intake and cause over heating.
Chad
Cobia 256 Express
Pulled by a Dodge Ram 3500
Agreed, Chad
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki