outdrive question

[chuckaduck]

When we are on the plane there is a small amount of steam lurking around the top of the outdrive the temperature guage shows normal but until this weekend I wasnt concerned but swmbo and miniskip are not convinced Is this a concern ?

we have a mercruiser 130hp with an omc cobra outdrive

 

[duncan]

outdrives get very hot - some more than others but all get hot in operation; especially after prolonged higher speed runs with lighter vessels (ribs!) where they are significantly out of the water for much of the operating time as well

however you do have an impellor / water pump in the Alpha drive - when did you last check it?
'steam' is certainly not unusual

 

[mjf]

I say sir! - look at your wash /speed.

Its 8knots/ no wash there .....

 

[chuckaduck]

[ QUOTE ]
I say sir! - look at your wash /speed.

Its 8knots/ no wash there .....

[/ QUOTE ]

actually we were only doing 8knts the hull makes wash even at that speed however when passing pontoons rowers raggies etc we slow to less than 4 knts

 

[David2452]

Cobra drives can get a bit warm especially if high in the water and hence little or no cooling effect. if it is concerning you then you could always fit a drive shower which will keep it a lot cooler.

link explains

 

[chuckaduck]

Thanks for the advice

what I will do is change the impellor it was new about 50 hours ago but could have picked up something if it still is the same I will take davids advice after all prevention is better than cure

 

[duncan]

i can't see anything even remotely likely to require a drive shower on your drive...................

 

[oldgit]

On the very rare occasions that my boat struggles up onto the plane,a fine water mist is always present around the stern of the boat.It does not appear to be coming form any heat the sterndrives are generating but from the exhausts being close to the surface of the water.