Outboard Engine Covers

D

ddenver

New member
Regrettably, the summer - and prime boating season - is all to rapidly dwindling away. Not to be too much of a downer (if I have not already struck enough of a negative tone), but I am wondering about "winter storage" of our boat.

We kept our boat outside in the driveway last winter covered by a tarp w/ a dehumidifier going in the cabin. Since we have not had a carport built to provide more optimal coverage, chances are the boat will be stored the same way this winter.

Anyway, after seeing some available at Cabela's I was wondering if the use of covers over the outboard engine was a good thing or a bad thing? Would they cause excessive moisture / humidity to be in more direct contact w/ the outboards as opposed to leaving them uncovered and directly exposed to the elements? Do others in the Pacific Northwest use these?

Once again, sorry to bring this up when August (one day anyway) is still upon us.

Tanks for your input and opinions.

Take care,
Dan
 
Good question Dan. I don't really have an answer. I do use cheap canvas covers on both motors. They fit rather loosely, with a drawstring. I don't think they can do any harm.
 
We have covered our outboard with a sunbrella cover that came with the boat cover from angola canvas. Have not seen any effects from the cover over last 3 years.
 
I have been tussling with the same problem. My solution is to cover the motors with a blue tarp so that air can get in/out but still provide weather protection. I also need to have them tight so that in the wind they do not wear spots in the motor paint job. I may investigate the Cabella cover though.

I hate covering up my boat as I know it will be 6 months before I can get it out again. That is the usual Alaska season though. To bed in Oct. and out again in late March.
 
I've used them back in Hawai'i but for a different reason. The UV seemed to make the engine covers brittle over time and they would eventually crack. One issue with living in the tropics, but then at leat it's a 365 day boating season. :lol:
 
I've never heard an expert opinion on this, but here's mine:

As long as the cover is watertight at the top and sides, and open somewhat at the bottom for some circulation, I wouldn't imagine there would be any build up of humidity inside, excess or above normal, and probably less than with just the motor shroud. Plus you get the weather protection from the rain, snow, moisture and also from UV for both the shroud and the rest of the motor the cover is over. It may also limit the daily temperature excursions for the motor, too.

I kinda' think this may be one of those little mental traps where thinking twice can get you boxed into trouble !!! :lol:

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Dan
I have used a cover on both my main and kicker motor for years through out the year with no problem. I do spray corrosion guard on the power heads a couple of times a year. And when laying it up for winter. Merc makes a good product am very happy with it.
Chuck
Bootleg Hooch
 
Dan, I was down at Kitsap marine last week and notice that they had a cover there with the Yamaha colors and such. Didn't notice the price, (busy talking :o ) but reminded me that I have been wanting to do something like that too. I have envisioned a separate cover from the boat storage cover that would cover both motors and the OB well, and to keep some of the stuff out, but still allow plenty of air around. I don't like to leave the OB's out uncovered, but have used a UV protectant on them.

When I worked at the college we used to put covers on all the OB's for weather protection. God luck, and hope to see you soon,

Harvey
SleepyC
 
Tanks for everybody's input. Really appreciate it.

Somehow I assume the Yamaha factory engine covers are a lot more pricey then those at Cabela's but I am sure the 'official' ones work much better (subtle sarcasm intended).

If I recall (and I usually do not recall much for very long), the ones at Cabela's were about $22-24 for larger outboards (~ 50 - 115 HP) and about $17 for smaller kicker size (~ 5 - 9 HP) engines.

Hope to see some of you at Sequim - Harvey anyway for sure - and a few more of you at the CBGT coinciding w/ the 2010 SBS (Seattle Boat Show) where ever and how ever that comes about now that the factory is up in Bellingham.

Take care,
Dan
 
I have covers for my Honda's. I like em. The mud-daubers build their nest between the cover and the cowl, instead of inside the cowl when I leave the covers off.
I've never had an issue with condensate. They don't fit that tightly, and I always wait until the motors have cooled down, and or dried from being washed, before I cover them.
I'd buy them again.

Gordon
 
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