I can't take the wait any longer.  We have two 50 degree days in Northern Virginia followed by an overnight low below freezing. I'm a little worried about de-winterizing the motor, but I have a 2 stroke direct injected so I don't even fog the motor (I just add extra oil to the cylinders).  I figured if I take it out this is better once in a while over the winter to oil the cylinders rather than letting it sit longer.  Everyone is telling me that as long as I store the motor at the full down position, all the water should drain out and water freezing shouldn't be an issue.  I can also crank it a few times outside of the water to help push any residual water out from the impeller. 

 

Lots of guys around here don't even winterize their outboards since they take them out during the warm fronts. 

Yeah, you'll be alright. Let her rip!

DO NOT crank it a few times outside of the water... period

DO NOT crank it a few times outside of the water... period

Well what's worse for it, water laying in the lines that freezes? Or a .5 second crank (not started)?  Outboards run about 1-2 seconds without water in them when you start them...

It also only takes a second to burn up your impeller. Your boat is so new unless you have hit something solid the likelyhood of you getting water inside the case is minimal. If you have a heated garage I wouldnt even bat an eyelash. The moment you come out of the water on your trailer the majority of your motor is going to have nothing in it. Were talking about a line that runs from the impeller housing to the telltale thats like 1/8". The concern comes with older motors who the owners dont know they are getting water into their lower unit from another area.

 

If I were you, I wouldnt crank my motor. Your choice.

Fair enough and noted.  Talked me out of it.  Thanks. 

 

Are you talking about the gear case?  It has fresh gear oil in it and there weren't any leaks at the end of the season so I'm not too worried about getting water in the gear case.

Just run it, and drain all the water out by trimming all the way down, and skip the motor bumps just to be safe. Probably wouldn't hurt anything, but it might wear your impeller out over time doing it out of water. 

Fair enough and noted.  Talked me out of it.  Thanks. 

 

Are you talking about the gear case?  It has fresh gear oil in it and there weren't any leaks at the end of the season so I'm not too worried about getting water in the gear case.

 

Yeah, the concern about water freezing is when you whamo a big log or something, it can cause hairline fractures in the lower unit(the gear case). Youll know as soon as you drain the oil, it will be milky.

Yeah, the concern about water freezing is when you whamo a big log or something, it can cause hairline fractures in the lower unit(the gear case). Youll know as soon as you drain the oil, it will be milky.

Yep, that's how I knew there aren't any leaks.  Nice and green/blue!!!  If I hit something, I'll be sure to replace. I'll just be cruising around the main river though... so no worries.