Starting Engine with Leg Up - Maxum Boat Owners Club

scat · 10-17-2013, 09:29 AM

Hi folks,
I have searched the forum but not found a similar question so here goes. I have my Maxum 2600SE with Bravo II leg in the water in a pen. It sits in a Fabdock to keep the hull dry, but I have to keep the leg up with it in the pen. I want to put earmuffs on the leg and flush it, but the leg is up. Can I start the engine and flush it with the leg up? I was always under the impression I am more likely to break something starting the engine with the leg up, but I can't seem to find a definitive answer. Any help appreciated.
Thanks

cunuck · 10-17-2013, 11:14 AM

I think the drive line u joints will be damaged to much angle with the leg up ??????

mmwjr · 10-17-2013, 11:53 AM

scat how high is the leg (outdrive) raised to max trim position or all the way up in trailer position?

IMO running at either position for a short period of time to flush the engine won't hurt anything. It may be a bigger challange to keep the earmuffs in place with the leg at this angle. You may need to tie off the hose to the boat so that it's weight doesn't pull the muffs down.

biggerseagar · 10-17-2013, 12:41 PM

It use to be keep it under so many RPM's and out of gear but that might of all changed. It is such a major stress on the u-joints that mercury does not want you to do this.

Roger

ss3964spd · 10-17-2013, 02:32 PM

Running the engine at idle with the leg up and in neutral is not an issue, very little stress is placed on the u-joints because they are not seeing a load.

Merc even states in their manual that you can operate the boat (meaning in the water and in gear) with the leg up but do not exceed 1100 or 1200 RPM's.

mmwjr · 10-17-2013, 04:02 PM

Just for reference older 4x4 trucks had U-joint at each front wheel to allow the wheel to turn. The angle at which the 4x4 wheel turns at full lock (this situation only occus at slow speed but doesn't impact the u-joint) is similar to that of the leg being raised.

scat · 10-17-2013, 09:45 PM

Hi all, thanks so far. The leg is raised at full trailer height to allow it to sit in the Fabdock. I will need to put the earmuffs on from the top so there is little chance of them coming off. So looks like at idle, should be OK. Thanks.

mmwjr · 10-17-2013, 09:53 PM

Need to make sure throat of muffs are deep enough if installing from behind that the cups cover the intake on the leg

scat · 10-18-2013, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmwjr

Need to make sure throat of muffs are deep enough if installing from behind that the cups cover the intake on the leg

Yep, cheers. Have measured and checked that. Thanks