Winter Storage in North Carolina - Keep In Water or Not?

[kaptap]

I'm in NC and my boat stays in the water as I dont' have a trailer. I'm still new to boating and I'm wondering if I should keep it in the water all winter or put it in dry storage? The water level is a concern since we've had little rain and the water at the slip is only about 1.5ft below my motor (July it was 6-8 feet). It's too warm here for the water to freeze, but usually too cold to be out boating with kids. To have it put in dry storage (closed building from Dec-March) costs $400, so I'm trying to figure out if it's worth the cost. I don't know if I need to be concerned with the engine sitting in water for 3+ months without being run (I'll have it winterized regardless). Any comments are appreciated.

[NEBSTER]

If you have a outboard you can leave it with no problem, just keep it in the down position. Just because it's winter don't let that stop you from going out. A nice day and flat water can't be beat. If you have a inboard some one else will have to help you.

[brumbyvet.1044]

I would agree to leaving the motor down, just make sure the water level doesn't go any lower. You don't want the skeg to hit ground.

[tkrein]

just a weird ? with the motor down you can get growth in the water intake. i have always stored my motor up if it stays in the water for a long time just look at the botom of your toons do they not get alge. i live in norht dakota so we have to take them out for the winter and winterize them. i stick mine in a cold storage as the heated shop is for other things.

[camartin]

We leave our boat in the water/Lake Norman. Here's what I do:

1. When temperatures approach freezing, leave your lower unit down. When you raise your motor out of the water it won't drain fully and the freeze/thaw cycle won't be good. I researched this a bunch and have asked this question on several boating forums and this is the consensus of what I found.

For certain engines (like my Verado) raising the engine between each use will cause a bit of oil burn so I try to avoid it...also don't like advertising my ss prop.

2. At least every week or two, I run my motor at the dock. I take advantage of nice days where I can and go for a spin

3. Add Seafoam or equivalent to your gas tank to absorb any water that might form through condensation. I have a friend that skipped this step and he paid the price one year. Keep your tank(s) full of gas.

4. In the Spring, I take my boat in for an oil change and other routine maintenance and while the boat is out of the water I have them acid/pressure wash the toons. This takes care of any build-up problem from the winter (I wait to do this once the water is warm enough for swimming so I can stay on top of cleaning the toons after that).