Storing a Scotty HP 1106 when not in use

[Mastiff]

I thought about using the big old life raft box on my dock, around two and a half meter long and 60 cm wide as the storage of my Scotty when it's not in use. But is that a bad idea, so I should rather have it indoors? I would think that it can take laying in there since it's made for saltwater use. Also, should I open the cover and flush the stainless steel cable with fresh water after use, or is it enough to flush the downrigger with the lid on? Those may look like stupid questions, but I want to make sure I don't mess up. The dumbest questions are those not asked, in my experience they cost a lot more...

 

[scott craven]

As long as the box locks should be fine, mine stay on the boat all year.
They are tough !
I simply hose mine off but I use braided line.

 

[Pineapple Express]

I rinse with fresh water and spray the boom and other metal bits with WD40

 

[Macdeep]

Ya, last time I had mine in at a scotty repair guy, I asked about rinsing - he figured that a minimal rinse is all these units need, just a regular garden hose on the boom pulley & line spool. He definitely advised against lifting the lid or using high pressure. There are some spots where you don't want water to get in past gaskets that are only meant to stop splashes and exposure to water you'd expect from regular use - not submersion or high pressure spray. Otherwise, ya, these units are pretty bullet proof. Though I store mine indoors over the winter, mostly to prevent theft. That, and it encourages me to service the brake pads, re-check the brake tension and get the salt deposits and other gunk out at least once a year.

 

[Mastiff]

Thanks, all of you! I have a freshwater hose down to the dock, so I'll hose it off before I take it off the boat and then store it in the locked box. And I have a camera showing the boat and dock, and a motion sensor light, and then a sign saying "smile, you're on camera" and in the lobster season, when I have lobsters in the water storage I change it to "lobsters taste good, but they are not to die for".