Docked Outboard - Up or Down

[Slipsinker]

I've noticed that all of the boat owners at my marina(at least the ones I've talked to) who have I/O's leave their outdrives in the down positon while docked. They say it takes the stress off of the hydraulics. On the other hand all the boats with outboards leave their motor in the up position. What's the difference? I have a deep water slip with 5' of water at MLT. I much rather leave it down for the same reason plus my mooring lines wouldn't touch the motor. With 500 boats in the water I'm sure it's a HOT marina meaning there is electrical activity in the water that will eat up you zincs. Zincs are cheaper to replace than hydraulic seals. Any thoughts here?

[ko]

I've always kept mine up so I won't have to mess with marine growth.

[gary49]

The difference is that the I/0's don't come out of the water when you put them in the trailer position, which is a major drawback for this kind of system if your boat is slipped, IMHO. Outboards either come out all the way or close to it. If you have an outboard and the slip is long enough to allow it, you should raise it, marina's frequently are "hot", and in any case, if you do this, you won't have to have anti-fouling paint on the lower unit of the outboard. It is worth raising it even if you trailer the boat and are just in the marina overnight.

[Slipsinker]

Thanks for the help guys. I normally leave my motor in the up position but I changed marinas and the docking is different. I have a bracketed outboard making a 23' boat 25'6". With the motor up the aft mooring lines hit the outboard, in the down position they don't. Guess I'll leave it up and add chaffing sleeves to the lines. With about 500 boats in the marina and most hooked up to shore power I've been told that the water is pretty HOT. No sence taking a chance. Thanks again.