Sail Drive Servicing

[sailaboutvic]

I would do the anodes regardless of condition whilst its out - a friend has just had to pay out £7000 to replace two sail drives on his 3 year old Lagoon because they corroded in the 18 months since he changed anodes - admittedly too long to go but to go from fine to unserviceable in that time makes me cautious enough to now diary note to do mine every 6 months - its cheap and easy to do so why risk it...

that seems over the top , I just changed mine which were 16 month old , although in that time we only been marina base for 12 weeks and there was plenty of meat left , I could had easily left them for another 8 month with out worrying .
maybe he had some other problem. worth looking into .

 

[JohnGC]

that seems over the top , I just changed mine which were 16 month old , although in that time we only been marina base for 12 weeks and there was plenty of meat left , I could had easily left them for another 8 month with out worrying .
maybe he had some other problem. worth looking into .

I change mine every year even though they always look as though they'd last another. However, this year I compared the old and new by weight (just in my hands) the difference was much more noticeable than by sight alone.

John

 

[sailaboutvic]

I change mine every year even though they always look as though they'd last another. However, this year I compared the old and new by weight (just in my hands) the difference was much more noticeable than by sight alone.

John

that's interesting John , mine had a few bits here and there eaten away but there was plenty of it left , maybe because we live on our hook for 9 months each year and not based in a marina .

 

[Dipper]

The oil you're wiping off the dipstick at the top is no indication of the actual state of the oil at the bottom of the saildrive. Drain it into a clear container (PP water bottle), let it settle over night and you'll see what's in it.

I agree especially if the unit has been left stationary for some time. On one occasion my oil looked clear until I drained it. Then I had to renew the shaft seals as they were allowing seawater to pass. I also had a new shaft fitted as that was worn.

 

[JohnGC]

that's interesting John , mine had a few bits here and there eaten away but there was plenty of it left , maybe because we live on our hook for 9 months each year and not based in a marina .

I have weighed the old anode. Although it just looks a little pitted, it has lost 25% of its mass.

John

 

[chrisgee]

Thanks for all your replies and Info

 

[Viking]

Top tip. Found that on all andoes on the saildrive, its the fixing screw area which goes first. So I now put a spot of antifouling around the screw areas. Also fix the screws with 'screwlok'