Outboard moored in rough weather - Engine up or down?

[raptor36]

We have some wind predicted and our 22' Hydrasport dual console is on our sailboat's mooring (1000 lb mushroom with tackle designed for 20,000 and new-this-season pennants; due to its exposure on Long Island Sound we do not leave the sailboat on this mooring in rough weather). We are looking for a protected place but if we have to leave it on the mooring, do we leave the engine up or down? I usually leave it up to keep it from getting fouled up with barnacles, but in a storm, it seems lowering it would lower the center of gravity and reduce the chance it would flip.


I cannot find any suggestions anywhere on this topic - thoughts and experience welcome!


Thanks!

[a64pilot]

I don’t think it’s going to make a whole lot of difference, but suspect your right, leave it down.
Also if you grab one and shake it with it up, you can easily flex the whole transom as it’s a longer lever, put the motor down and grab and shake and nothing flexes.
That is why I would tow my trailerable boats with the motor down, especially the bigger four strokes

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, raptor.


I agree with your & A64's reasoning, and would leave it down for storm.