Question: Storing boat for winter-Bravo 3 specifically

04FV270riverrat

I have my 270 on the trailer out on my in laws property for the winter. Whats the best way to protect the outdrive from water intrusion? I'm not sure if i can lower it low enough for any water that gets in to drain back out. Is wrapping it in a tarp my best option?

skennelly

I've never worried too much about it.  Make sure the bow is raised so any water runs out the bilge drain.  Lower the drive best you can and it should be fine.

skennelly

How would water get into the drive over the winter?

Cableguy Greg

skennelly said:

How would water get into the drive over the winter?

With the drive raised, water gets into the exhaust ports that are around the prop shaft and carrier bearing.

What I do is dump a bunch of -50 pink or -100 green RV antifreeze down in the exhaust ports in the drive. Better to have it there than to not have it there.

zaverin1

You guys and winterizing lol
always lower the drive to its lowest possible position. When I trailered I would dig a small hole around the siege and lower it to full trim down.
not only is it good for your below sand rubber but no worry when it comes to water intrusion.

aero3113

you can put some pink antifreeze in the exhaust then put a black garbage bag around it and tape it up tight.

zaverin1

Never put anything over the drive
leave it to the beaver and let it breath
i had to replace  few output shafts because of ice build up
just take the prop off and off u go

Cableguy Greg

zaverin1 said:

You guys and winterizing lol
always lower the drive to its lowest possible position. When I trailered I would dig a small hole around the siege and lower it to full trim down.
not only is it good for your below sand rubber but no worry when it comes to water intrusion.

I agree that the drive should be stored in the down position. Unfortunately, that isn't always possible. Where my boat is stored, I can't have it all the way down because it would be landed on concrete. I have the tongue of the trailer raised so water drains and runs off the cover. If I lower the tongue, there is a possibility of water sitting in the bilge. So I have lowered it 3/4 of the way, but before doing that, I dumped a bunch of pink in the drive.

reneechris14

Block the trailer up higher to take the weight off the tires and lower the drive down is the best way to store

aero3113

reneechris14 said:

Block the trailer up higher to take the weight off the tires and lower the drive down is the best way to store

I agree.

pault1216

I have taped a bag on mine just below the cavitation plate (prop off). I then cut a small hole on the lowest point of the bag in case any water leaks in or gets trapped.