12-31-2006, 03:40 AM
I was just curious about something. Since time began, i've always winterized my boats and packed them away for the season; never to charge the battery or give them a crank until it gets close to that magical time. However, to contridict this winterizing method, I also know it's bad for a motor to sit, and equally as bad for a battery to sit without being charged from time to time.
Why is it that most people, to include myself, stick them away and forget about them, and drag them out at the end of winter? How come it never seems to hurt the boat motor or the battery sitting? Is it because outboard motors are sealed units and the batteries are deep cycle? Can it cause damage letting a boat motor sit for 4 months without being cranked? If not, is it because the mechanics of the motor are different than your standard gas propelled motorcycle or car motor? What's different that allows them to sit without causing damage? If damage can occur, what type of damage can be expected?
Lets use a newer fuel injected, oil injected 2 stroke 150 for an example. Then lets use a simple mix gas 25 horse 2 stroke. Which one is more likely to be damaged from sitting, or is both safe to sit for 4 months without fear of harm?
I know this is a pisser of a question, and is more philosophical than anything else. I was just wondering what everyone did and what thier reasoning is. I also want to know if packing my boat away for the off season is killing it, or if I shouldn't have anything to worry about. [cool]
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Why is it that most people, to include myself, stick them away and forget about them, and drag them out at the end of winter? How come it never seems to hurt the boat motor or the battery sitting? Is it because outboard motors are sealed units and the batteries are deep cycle? Can it cause damage letting a boat motor sit for 4 months without being cranked? If not, is it because the mechanics of the motor are different than your standard gas propelled motorcycle or car motor? What's different that allows them to sit without causing damage? If damage can occur, what type of damage can be expected?
Lets use a newer fuel injected, oil injected 2 stroke 150 for an example. Then lets use a simple mix gas 25 horse 2 stroke. Which one is more likely to be damaged from sitting, or is both safe to sit for 4 months without fear of harm?
I know this is a pisser of a question, and is more philosophical than anything else. I was just wondering what everyone did and what thier reasoning is. I also want to know if packing my boat away for the off season is killing it, or if I shouldn't have anything to worry about. [cool]
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