Are outdrives really that bad

[Little yogi]

Hi All

I've been looking for a new boat after selling my 30 foot cruiser, we really want to downsize a bit, however nearly anything smaller than a 30 foot has outdrives.

Now I know shafts are straight forward, simple and reliable, and I don't want everyone to start arguing about which is best, but as I say nearly impossible to find a cruiser smaller than 30 foot with shafts, certainly here in ireland anyway, are there any outdrives that are good and reliable and what should I avoid

Boat would be used on fresh water rivers and canals

 

[harvey38]

Outdŕives are fine, just keep them well serviced and keep an eye on anodes and bellows.

Unless the boat has a decent keel, boats with outdrives certainly wander a lot at low speed needing constant input on the wheel to keep a steady course.

 

[Momac]

I used to have a single outdrive which wandered a bit at river speed but correcting it was not really a issue.
Now with twin engines much less of an issue.
As said with regular servicing outdrives not an issue over almost 15 years experience. I have my boat lifted every two years max.
Present boat since 2014. Volvo Penta kad32 engines with 290dp-e outdrives in my case.

 

[Hot Property]

If you don't need a planing boat for rivers and canals what about an outboard powered Viking?

Exceptionally low maintenance costs compared to an outdrive plus more internal space in the boat.

You lift the engine out of the water to prevent fouling so further savings...

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[Bigplumbs]

If you don't need a planing boat for rivers and canals what about an outboard powered Viking?

Exceptionally low maintenance costs compared to an outdrive plus more internal space in the boat.

You lift the engine out of the water to prevent fouling so further savings...

HOME

Spot on and if the little outboard goes wrong you can buy a new one for the price of the work on a leg can often cost

 

[bowler]

I think the concern re. outdrives increases significantly with thier age and if there is unknown service history, and rightly so. Not the case with shafts.

 

[Momac]

I think the concern re. outdrives increases significantly with thier age and if there is unknown service history, and rightly so. Not the case with shafts.

While I agree outdrives do need to be serviced shaft drives are not immune from issues .

 

[julians]

Everything has its pros and cons. Outdrives are no different , and are generally fine if looked after. And as you have noted , you dont really have a choice if you want a particular style & size of boat .

 

[Portofino]

Everything has its pros and cons. Outdrives are no different , and are generally fine if looked after. And as you have noted , you dont really have a choice if you want a particular style & size of boat .

It’s the “ looking after “ you say that’s crucial .There in lies the variable experiences reported on here .

We had a VP DPG 300 KAD boat professionally maintained by a VP franchise .At a long range .
The drives came off every 2 yrs , totally striped , measured bits for tolerance and inspected .Reassembled, fresh seals / gaskets , pressure tested over night , refitted to the boat with new ancillaries inc the bellows of course .
Fresh oil / anodes every year .They needed ar least 3 days to carry out this .

They did find stuff odd bits / parts out of spec around €80 to €200 each time added to the bill .

We had zero breakdowns in 9 seasons all turn key ….you know time precious school hols .So no complaints.Never had a busted boat spoil the family down time .
But they did cost I can’t exactly remember the figures several €1000 s each time but if the ” really bad “ element of your Q kinda relates to cost then yes they were costly.
On one occasion they replaced a €80 part and at the lift in two techs went out for a sea test .Left us standing on the dock . You know little kids jumping up and down in excitement.
Came back in 15 mins put it back in the hoist , lifted it stuck a long ( at least 30 cm ) screw driver up a hole in one of the drives , put it back in re tested and then gave me the ok .Not too sure ( bill was in Fr ) exactly what part was replaced .

As an aside one yr in the yard ( i was DIY ing the antifoul) there was another outdrive boat hauled , blocked off aside of ours .
A white van arrived next AM and I saw the guy wrestle off the old bellows and fit new ones .The new ones boxes were not blue VP .About 2 hrs if that .Reused the clips / jubilee clamps .

At the Genoa boat show noticed plenty of small shaft drive boats fwiw .
They are still out there in the wider EU .
Owner arrived after lunch, we got chatting and he asked did the engineer change the bellows ?

so “looking after “ means all things to all men .

The bigger shaft drive boat I have had since 2014 has required no stern gear expense apart from anodes .

 

[simonfraser]

'Boat would be used on fresh water rivers and canals'

find a boat with an outboard and lift it out of the water- will save you a bunch of money and hassle

 

[julians]

It’s the “ looking after “ you say that’s crucial .There in lies the variable experiences reported on here .

We had a VP DPG 300 KAD boat professionally maintained by a VP franchise .At a long range .
The drives came off every 2 yrs , totally striped , measured bits for tolerance and inspected .Reassembled, fresh seals / gaskets , pressure tested over night , refitted to the boat with new ancillaries inc the bellows of course .
Fresh oil / anodes every year .They needed ar least 3 days to carry out this .

They did find stuff odd bits / parts out of spec around €80 to €200 each time added to the bill .

We had zero breakdowns in 9 seasons all turn key ….you know time precious school hols .So no complaints.Never had a busted boat spoil the family down time .
But they did cost I can’t exactly remember the figures several €1000 s each time but if the ” really bad “ element of your Q kinda relates to cost then yes they were costly.
On one occasion they replaced a €80 part and at the lift in two techs went out for a sea test .Left us standing on the dock . You know little kids jumping up and down in excitement.
Came back in 15 mins put it back in the hoist , lifted it stuck a long ( at least 30 cm ) screw driver up a hole in one of the drives , put it back in re tested and then gave me the ok .Not too sure ( bill was in Fr ) exactly what part was replaced .

As an aside one yr in the yard ( i was DIY ing the antifoul) there was another outdrive boat hauled , blocked off aside of ours .
A white van arrived next AM and I saw the guy wrestle off the old bellows and fit new ones .The new ones boxes were not blue VP .About 2 hrs if that .Reused the clips / jubilee clamps .

At the Genoa boat show noticed plenty of small shaft drive boats fwiw .
They are still out there in the wider EU .
Owner arrived after lunch, we got chatting and he asked did the engineer change the bellows ?

so “looking after “ means all things to all men .

The bigger shaft drive boat I have had since 2014 has required no stern gear expense apart from anodes .

"Looking after" is not all things to all men , its a well defined service schedule , it is just doing what the manufacturers maintenance manual says needs doing, most outdrives certainly dont need a total strip down and rebuild every couple of years (unless doing pretty high hours I guess), although I'm sure that by doing a complete strip and rebuild yearly you also had no problems, and the yard probably had an excellent xmas party each year.

heres the maintenance schedule defining what needs doing for the volvo d series /dph drive, anything which has "outboard drive" at the start refers to the outdrive

 

[QBhoy]

They are fine. As long as they are maintained. Much more efficient than shaft drive too. But both have their ups and downs about them. Personally, I think the mercruiser alpha one is the best of them all. Simple, cheap to remove and service…and you can buy a new one, for the price of just repairing some of the other models available.

 

[superheat6k]

Hi All

I've been looking for a new boat after selling my 30 foot cruiser, we really want to downsize a bit, however nearly anything smaller than a 30 foot has outdrives.

Now I know shafts are straight forward, simple and reliable, and I don't want everyone to start arguing about which is best, but as I say nearly impossible to find a cruiser smaller than 30 foot with shafts, certainly here in ireland anyway, are there any outdrives that are good and reliable and what should I avoid

Boat would be used on fresh water rivers and canals

To answer just your thread title - Yes.

 

[Rappey]

Outboard/s. No holes in the hull !!!, more space, easily beachable etc,

 

[QBhoy]

The guys that say they are that bad….I can perhaps understand a little…if the fella isn’t mechanically inclined or has been unlucky enough to own one that hasn’t been maintained Perhaps. The thought of removing an outdrive every so often can be a scary one to some…but I’m of the opinion that it’s not at all beyond the ability of the average guy…and once you’ve been shown how for the first time…you’ll wonder what all the worry was for.

 

[QBhoy]

Outboard/s. No holes in the hull !!!, more space, easily beachable etc,

Not totally true, being fair…they are bolted through the transom. But get your point for sure.

 

[Bajansailor]

Would a Channel islands 22 be suitable for your intended usage?
They are available with either single or twin diesels on shafts.
Here is one for sale in Devon - which is not too far away I suppose from Ireland (which part of Ireland are you based in?).
1985 Channel Island 22 Cruiser for sale - YachtWorld

Or perhaps a Seaward?
Here are a couple under 30' for sale - but with wildly different asking prices!
Seaward Boats For Brokerage & Sale, Motorboat Brokerage | Seaward Boats

 

[ChromeDome]

+1 for outboard, also referring to your other thread about the Shetland 4 plus 2.
What size outboard

Simply go for the best solution for your needs and get the benefits

• More space inside
• No petrol (fumes) in enclosed spaces - safer
• Easier access for service, repair or replacement (MUCH easier)
• Cheaper maintenance, especially if you plan to do it by the book
• An integrated unit - no drive line with shaft through gimbal bearing, universal joint, bellows for this and exhaust, cooling water hoses and gear shift system through transom
• Engine can be tilted up - less fouling and better access to propeller

- and then some.

Modern outboards neither smoke, shake nor make noise.

 

[simonfraser]

this :



or this :

 

[Irish Rover]

I had a VP D4 on my previous boat and I had a lot of bother with the rubber sleeves on the steering cylinders failing. Not such a big issue if you can pull the boat out on a trailer but, for me, the biggest cost was paying the bloody marina to lift the boat.