One of the most serious enemies to your outboard engine over winter in the UK is the potential for frost damage. If water is allowed to collect in any of the pipework inside the engine leg, then there is a chance that it may freeze and expand, potentially causing severe damage that could be very expensive to fix. So what is the most common outboard laying up blunder? Watch boats.com senior editor, Lenny Rudow, for some basic tips.

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The simple answer, as Lenny explains in some detail, is to ensure that the engine is stored vertically rather than tilted up. Any moisture will naturally drain from a vertical leg unlike a tilted one.

Also, it is a good idea to wrap the leg in order to keep the finish looking good, however, if the cover is not breathable, condensation could easily collect within the engine and cause freezing problems as well!

For more great advice on winterisation, see: 5 ways to protect your boat over winter or How to Winterise a Four-Stroke Outboard: Video.

Written by: Lenny Rudow
With over two decades of experience in marine journalism, Lenny Rudow has contributed to publications including YachtWorld, boats.com, Boating Magazine, Marlin Magazine, Boating World, Saltwater Sportsman, Texas Fish & Game, and many others. Lenny is a graduate of the Westlawn School of Yacht Design, and he has won numerous BWI and OWAA writing awards.
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