Crack in Outdrive

[andrewa]

Has anybody on this forum experienced cracking on their Merc Bravo outdrives, I have just had the boat lifted and found a 4 month old anode all but gone and a 2 inch crack on the right side of the drive where the prop goes into the hub. The drive is a Bravo II around 9 years old, there is no visable signs of corrosion though the drive is anti fouled. Is this repairable or do I have to tell my family Xmas is cancelled!

 

[Col]

Can you get it welded ? Obviously needs taking off, and stripping.
Any ideas why it cracked ? (eg) Frost damage

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[andrewa]

I don't know Col, the crack seems to have sunk inwards if that makes sense , It wasn't there when I bought it because it wasn't anti-fouled then and it looked fine. The boat has been based abroad where the temp doesn't drop my below 60 all its life so can't be frost and its based on S.Coast which hasn't had any hard frosts yet and it only came out the water on Tuesday.

I was getting it serviced this winter because the trim gauge control wire is broken inside and have it given a bit of TLC and major service. Now I may have to scrap the drive.

I have been given some numbers of serviceing companies based near the boat so may have to call them for an opinion I guess.

 

[Col]

Collision damage ?? If so, insurance??


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[duncan]

purely a hypothosis (guess?!) propellor has caught something hard and sharp and dragged it into the casing before it snapped off or otherwise left you - anchor cain has been known to cause this when people try to motor out a snagged anchor in shallow water.
A reasonable check would be the leading edges of all the blades tight to the casing - SS prop more likely to facilitate - but even alloy could hang on in there but would certainly show damage.
Look forward to hearing.

 

[andrewa]

Duncan/Col


Funny you should say that just after I got the boat I reversed into my mooring with the outdrive leg trimmed out which is past the bathing platform, and hit the concret support (not hard), engine was in neutral and the prop looks fine hence I don't think I snagged something also wouldn't I have damaged the prop as that hit the support? The bit that has cracked is on the hub casing.

 

[oldgit]

Would have though if no loss of oil from gearbox ok to weld.Prob need to remove.
I had extensive damage repaired at sensible cost by local (non marine person)welder.Good man will know how to repair without inducing stress problems.

NV.

 

[andrewa]

No lose of oil been same level in reservoir all season.

 

[hlb]

As oldgit says. Go and see a specialist welding man. Not just yer average welding job. There will be some one around your area that can do it.

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Haydn

 

[oldgit]

If you get stuck post your approx location on forum.Their is a wealth of experience here about where to get stuff fixed.Ahem,this is of course not because we are constantly bashing and breaking stuff.no.no no.

NV.

 

[Col]

sounds like you might have damaged it on mooring, 'specially if drive was also turned as well as tilted.If you're Berks area, I know a 1st class welder in Reading.

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[hlb]

I've got a guy in Burnley and another in Rochdale. Who have welded the most unbelievable things. And ground them back to new. Um, maybe a fiver or if more complicated £20 quid. Never got to 20 quid though. Course you have to talk to them in the right way or just get told to F*** Off.

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Haydn

 

[andrewa]

I'm based at Chichester, will get someone to look at it first and advise.