Outboard left in water?

[graham]

If I know I am going sailing again within a few days I leave my outboard in the outboard well .As my mooring is now in fresh water I imagine the corrosion problem will be reduced.

Am I significantly shortening its life in the name of laziness?

 

[Lakesailor]

Fresh water on Windermere and most people leave their legs in the water. Especially motors in wells. Get a bit weedy and maybe need a repaint now and then.

 

[Captain Coochie]

I leave my outboard in the water all year every year , never even thought of lifting it out . No one else on the Thames seems to lift them out either .

 

[Anonymous]

There is certainly greater corrosion in salt than in fresh but remember that most engine manufacturers recommend a different anode material in fresh to salt, so change over all the anodes.

As for leaving it in the water, I suggest you check your manual and/or ask the dealer. The point is that if you leave your engine in the water the anodes should be providing galvanic protection but if you lift it out (without careful flushing) then since the anodes are out of the water they cannot protect anything. So generally, unless you are going to flush and store the engine dry, it is better to leave the engine in the water but please check that this is the case with your engine!!