On Mon, 02 Feb 2004 04:25:57 GMT, "cgilbert" wrote:

simply: I failed to winterize my 90hp outboard this year. Is it dead? If
so, can it be fixed? What steps should I take?

Hi, I'm new to this group and it seems like a great place for boating
information, so I'm hoping someone can help my novice self out of a stupid
mistake.

After 9 years of enjoying my Scout 172 and Yamaha 90hp outboard motor, I
finally screwed up and failed to winterize it. Just before hurricane
Elizabeth (Isabel?), I took it out of the water. I drained it and flushed
the engine, hoping to return to it (since it's 2 hours from me) in a week or
two to either re-launch it or winterize it. Family emergencies (and
forgetfulness) prevented me from getting this done.

Now, it's been sitting outside through three snowstorms and harsh wind. Is
the engine (and hull) wrecked? What even happens to an un-winterized
engine?

Fearing the worst, can I restore this engine? I haven't tried to run it
because I don't want to damage it further. Is there anything I can do
before running it to check for damage? Should I try to winterize it
somehow?

And if it's totally wrecked, ::sigh:: does anyone near the Jersey shore have
a good Yamaha 90hp engine to sell? Thanks in advance.

By now you've read all the posts that say your engine is *probably*
OK. Hopefully, you left it in a vertical position, but if you left it
in the 'trailer' position, you may still be in luck. I had a 70hp
Johnson that spent several winters on the back of a Whaler on a
trailer. No problem ever developed. Just take it in for a spring
service, tune up, etc. and I'll bet you're OK.

John H

On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!