sail drives any reservations

[haydude]

Just sold my boat and moving from the dark side, mixed emotions after 8 years but with the price of fuel. Looking at a Hunter 32, 2004 with sail drive, is there any known problems to look out for or is it better to go for something with a straight shaft drive.

In general the saildrive should not influence the choice of a boat. If you like the boat you get it whatever it has.

I think that in your case a saildrive can only improve the package considering that your choice is a Hunter 32.

 

[haydude]

Less vulnerable than stern gear using a P bracket as it is usually close to the back of the keel.

You never hear or read of a saildrive ripped or broken by a rope around a prop. The worst it happens is that the engine stops.

But I hear and read several reports of shafts bent and P brackets ripped off the hull because of ropes around props.

That is because the exposed shaft works as a lever once the rope wraps around it. In case of a saildrive there is little space for a rope to wrap around and no shaft lenght to use as lever and thus make damage.