Saildrive Gator

[lancelot]

Does anyone know, roughly, how much it would be to replace the saildrive gator on a Bavaria 30, 2006, Volvo18hp?
I believe after 7 years they should be replaced. I would look to contract the work?
Fair winds,
Lancelot

 

[Tranona]

Around £1k. Parts are £300 and labour is 8-10 hours for somebody who knows what they are doing.

 

[DaveS]

It's a bit of a con since the 7 year old diaphragm you take out will look every bit as good as the new replacement!

If you do it yourself it will cost about £150 for the bits and take you a couple of days. It's a job I've done twice myself single handed, it's fairly straightforward and the leg and gearbox is a reasonably easy lift. It is worthwhile first removing the prop shaft since that allows the leg to be lifted straight up through the fairing rubber (if that is sound and well attached to the hull there is no need to replace it): with the prop shaft out you can also check the state of the seals and whether the shaft is scored. Some assistance when re-connecting the splines would make life easier, however. (It is important that the back of the engine is supported high enough or re-mating is well nigh impossible.) It's a good exercise in gaining familiarity with some important bits of your boat.

Or you could just pay the yard £1000 or so and remain in blissful ignorance.

Edit: having seen the big difference between Tranona's parts estimate and mine, I've dug out the invoice: From Keypart, October 2012: Saildrive diaphragm kit - genuine: £170.57 + VAT = £204.68 so I was a bit low. (That kit includes the fairing rubber which I didn't need). I also found another invoice which makes the diaphragm kit look like a real bargain: 2 Speedi Sleeves to repair the scored prop shaft: £92.52!

 

[strudders]

The standard statement is seven years but the reality is that you can get many more. We got thirteen. When the rubber starts to change colour towards white, that is apparently the time so we were told by someone who services volvos for a living.

 

[macd]

Or you could just pay the yard £1000 or so and remain in blissful ignorance.

Shouldn't take long. Just say "Fix that gator and make it snappy".
The bonus is you can turn the old one into handbags.

 

[iain789]

Got mine done in May on my Bav 32. Costs - Saildrive seal kit, glue and sealants - £212. Labour £720. = £932. VAT - £186 - total £1118. Boat is 11 years old, seal was original, and seemed in perfect condition, would probably have lasted another ten years. Damn Volvo and their service requirements!

 

[Sans Bateau]

7 years?!!! When I changed mine at 18 years the only difference between the old gaiter and new one was the date stamp!

 

[lancelot]

7 years?!!! When I changed mine at 18 years the only difference between the old gaiter and new one was the date stamp!

Cheers guys. The surveyor is doing his bit tomorrow, perhaps I will know more. It is good to know that in reality the gaiters last somewhat longer. Maybe think about changing it at next lift out.
Fair winds,
Lacelot

 

[brians]

Cheers guys. The surveyor is doing his bit tomorrow, perhaps I will know more. It is good to know that in reality the gaiters last somewhat longer. Maybe think about changing it at next lift out.
Fair winds,
Lacelot

When you do get several quotes. I contacted 3 VP dealers and got labour estimates varying from 6 hours to 22 hours with obvious impact on cost & VAT. One couldn't remember the last time they did one!

I have just replaced mine at 13 years and like others found the old gaiter to be in excellent condition.

 

[Steve C Cronin]

When you do get several quotes. I contacted 3 VP dealers and got labour estimates varying from 6 hours to 22 hours with obvious impact on cost & VAT. One couldn't remember the last time they did one!

I have just replaced mine at 13 years and like others found the old gaiter to be in excellent condition.

Mine is 11 years old and is as new. When I eventually change it I will do it myself as I consider this £1100 business outrageous and I wouldn't trust the locals to treat the woodwork sympathetically, judging by how they treat their cars, wives and dogs (in that order)! Buy the kit at £226 from Keyparts and keep it locked away at home. When the boat appears to be sinking, navigate to the deepest part of the area (ideally 500mtrs plus) jump into the liferaft and let the boat sink there. When you arrive home, retrieve the paperwork and original receipt but get rid of the replacement gaiter before approaching your insurers!