XL shaft o/b on low transom

[merttan]

I think everyone knows that you have to run the outboard with fresh water after using in saltwater... Right... I've been trying and failing over and over again on that since I have a fairly low transom and a extra long shaft outboard... Only position to get water intake out of water is to fold it on horizontal position... Yet the engine seems not want to start on this position to use freshwater flaps... Any ideas here?
The engine is on a level mechanism that the prop is in the water even on the high position...
I think that's why my outboard is not working now...

[US27inKS]

My outboard is designated for saltwater use. I don't really know what the difference is, but that's what the model number comes back to. I'm thinking that if you have a saltwater motor, you may not need to flush with every use.

[CaptKermie]

Do you have a direct hose hook-up? My Honda does. I could put tape over the intake vents then run freshwater through the hose and flush it, (I bought the little fitting for the hose connection) or conversely just tape the top hole under the anticavitation plate and use the mouse ears. But I don't do either, I am there pretty much weekly and always running my engine in the salt so it becomes too onerous to do that often. Since I am only slipped seasonally, at season end I run fresh water through the engine for a half hour and flush it out and then perhaps a few more times the next few weeks before winter layup. I am on year six with no real big issues other than a replaced impeller which needs regular replacing. I am not sure it is that big a deal, at least for me it hasn't been.

[AjariBonten]

My personal experience has been that, in general, outboards are amazingly resistant to problems from operating in salt water.

If you feel you must flush, the outboard flushers you hook up to a hose that cover the intake ports would work just fine, even under water.

Raise the motor, attach the flusher, lower the motor, run to flush, stop the motor, raise it with the flusher still pressurized, disconnect normally.

That should work; but I wouldn't bother. Lift the motor and run dry, then at the end of the season do a good flush as part of you lay-up.

[merttan]

So I don't need to flush aftyer each use?
It's 96 Evinrude, 9.9HP 4 stroke...
I'm confused...

[sailingdog]

Just remember to check your zincs.