Leg up or down

Bam Bam · 26 June 2010, 18:52

Is it better to leave the leg up or down when the boat is stored on the trailer. After using the boat I usually lower the leg before putting it in the garage (after washing and flushing of course). This means removing the Light board and all the strapping and cable etc of which has to be done in reverse when I go out again. I find this takes time and knocks the hell out of me due to having arthritis in my back and knees. Is it ok to store the boat with the leg up for short periods of four to six weeks or is it better to put up, shut up, and carry on doing what I have always done?

Neil Harvey · 26 June 2010, 19:31

I'm not sure it matters in summer months at least... think about all those boats kept afloat who tilt up their engines at the end of the day

BogMonster · 26 June 2010, 22:17

On my old Johnson you certainly needed the leg down to drain out all water from the cooling passages if there was any danger of freezing conditions, but I always used to leave mine up and on the support bracket during the summer, fuelled up and ready to go so that all I had to do was hitch up the trailer and go.

seafariskye · 26 June 2010, 23:42

Leg you say --- outboard i say

leg is an outdrive on an inboard.. outboard is an outboard.. get your mechanicals right you lot....

or do i have an outboard attached to my inboard.

pete

willk · 26 June 2010, 23:58

Over

I would have thort

willk · 27 June 2010, 00:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

On my old Johnson you certainly needed the leg down to drain out......but I always used to leave mine up....

I blame the long days - it's the Pineal Gland

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2gIdMRwfuM

Never need an excuse to repost that Gem

DGR · 27 June 2010, 11:43

After my leg siezed in the 'up' position, I've always been advised to put the leg down when storing it. Apparently the hydraulics are 'relaxed' when they are down - so less likely to sieze. Dunno how true that is - but it hasn't happened since...

Also, I take the lightbar etc off when leaving her on the trailer - the less ready she is to roll away, the less likely some will help themselves (in my head anyway)!!

D...

Lets go boating · 27 June 2010, 14:04

leave the leg down, as it is better for drainage and you need that when a frost comes out to play

plus its less stress on your trim and tilt

Nos4r2 · 27 June 2010, 14:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGR

After my leg siezed in the 'up' position, I've always been advised to put the leg down when storing it. Apparently the hydraulics are 'relaxed' when they are down - so less likely to sieze. Dunno how true that is - but it hasn't happened since...

Also, I take the lightbar etc off when leaving her on the trailer - the less ready she is to roll away, the less likely some will help themselves (in my head anyway)!!

D...

Mine stays up in the summer and down in the winter-freezing water in the exhaust isn't good.

I did hear tell of someone who left a fake plug on an unnecesary extension of the trailerboard, wired so it dead shorted anyone's electrics

Bam Bam · 27 June 2010, 17:24

Thanks for all the advice guys, it is only for the summer months. Not that it matters as far as freezing is concerned as I make sure the "outboard" (not leg) is well flushed and drained at the slip where possible and also, as the boat is stored in a electronicaly locked garage with hitch and wheel lock in place it aint going walkies without me knowing about it. Come winter, as last year, the boat is cleaned and serviced and has the outboard lowered and covered in blankets then the whole boat and trailer is covered by a large tarp. It will be much easier for me to leave the boat ready to go now I know its ok to do so. Thanks.

Hey Nos4r2, is there another SR gathering planned for this year. I would love to meet you all again so if any dates are mentioned please let me know.

Bam Bam · 27 June 2010, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

I blame the long days - it's the Pineal Gland

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2gIdMRwfuM

Never need an excuse to repost that Gem

Saw it the last time but it still makes me laugh!

Shaz · 28 June 2010, 01:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bam Bam

Hey Nos4r2, is there another SR gathering planned for this year. I would love to meet you all again so if any dates are mentioned please let me know.

Think there were rumours of something in Cornwall but will leave details to the guru or Mollers .....

9D280 · 28 June 2010, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Martha Focker

leave the leg down, as it is better for drainage and you need that when a frost comes out to play

plus its less stress on your trim and tilt

Compared to what it sees as you blat along at a huge rate of knots, it's hardly under strain!

Agree with the drainage tho'.

Mine is stored down, but that's only because it won't fit the garage if I leave it up!

My old SR4 was stored engine up for the very reasons you cite.

Bam Bam · 28 June 2010, 18:47

[QUOTE=9D280;358509] Compared to what it sees as you blat along at a huge rate of knots, it's hardly under strain!

Hi 9D280, I agree with that. I had a word with my local Yamaha dealer today and was told that providing the outboard is lifted and then gently brought back down onto the locking pin as for transit then nothing is under strain.

Bam Bam · 28 June 2010, 18:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaz

Think there were rumours of something in Cornwall but will leave details to the guru or Mollers .....

Yo Shaz, how ya keeping sweetie? Cornwall is one hell of a run for me but what has to be done for a long weekend of fun just has to be done... I wont be bringing the other half of the chuckle brothers though.

DGR · 28 June 2010, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Mine stays up in the summer and down in the winter-freezing water in the exhaust isn't good.

I did hear tell of someone who left a fake plug on an unnecesary extension of the trailerboard, wired so it dead shorted anyone's electrics

I've taken the brake pads off mine - as it's only used as a launching trailer nowadays, and they used to stick every time it was left for more than 2 minutes. But if anyone does take it, the first roundabout will be very exciting......

Mollers · 28 June 2010, 21:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shaz

.. the guru or Mollers .....

The 'guru' of what? Gathering planning?!!

As mentioned, there's an open invite with free camping if someone would like to put it together. Fal is a top, top destination if you can manage a longish tow.

BDJim does it a the drop of a hat.

Nos4r2 · 28 June 2010, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

The 'guru' of what? Gathering planning?!!

As mentioned, there's an open invite with free camping if someone would like to put it together. Fal is a top, top destination if you can manage a longish tow.

BDJim does it a the drop of a hat.

Ok, I'll step into the breech again as I've been sorely lax on this lately.

I reckon Mollers' offer is a really good one, but I'm slightly concerned about the distance and possible destinations from Falmouth for the smaller Seariders. Thoughts on that?

How does weekend of the 25th Sptember sound to people?

I've stuck in in a new thread here:-

http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=36581

jyasaki · 29 June 2010, 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

I did hear tell of someone who left a fake plug on an unnecesary extension of the trailerboard, wired so it dead shorted anyone's electrics

Love it...