jf scott
New member
have bavaria 34 with saildrive. read article in PBO re replacement of seal. Like to hear how often others replace theirs
saildrive seal
- Thread starter jf scott
- Start date
trapezeartist
New member
I think there have been several threads on the subject. It's probably not worth using the search button as it is useless. Better to google something like "PBO saildrive seal" or "PBO saildrive gasket".
IIRC most people have gone considerably beyond the recommended seven years and found the old seal to be still in perfect condition. (If your boat sinks, I never said that.
)
IIRC most people have gone considerably beyond the recommended seven years and found the old seal to be still in perfect condition. (If your boat sinks, I never said that.
)PeterGibbs
New member
Every 7 years if you want to sleep soundly.
But hey, lots of solors who overrun the 7 years manufacturer's recommendation sleep soundly too.
Just keep a close eye on it. Signs of cracking, excess rust on the retaining ring etc - better take action. The seal is laced with strengthening fibres so a major split and deluge is most unlikely. If I call for evidence of a seal ever failing someone will oblige, perhaps, but to date I have never heard of it.
It is a DIY job with preparation - one full day's work. Do not allow any yard to sell you the "2 days project" line and charge you 700 quid !
PWG
Dipper
Well-known member
The first time I replaced mine on my Volvo 120S was after 11 years. The old one looked OK. I've just done it again after another 11 years. This time the old one had some surface bubbling and didn't look nearly as good but I suspect it still had many years life left in it.
The ease of changing it yourself depends more on access to the back of the engine than on the job itself which in technical terms is relatively simple. You need an hexagonal socket set and a decent torque wrench. The access to the back of my engine requires a very small contortionist so it took me quite a long time just to undo the bolts.
I had the added problem of stripped splines on the input shaft of the gearbox which delayed refitting the saildrive and added considerably to the cost.
The ease of changing it yourself depends more on access to the back of the engine than on the job itself which in technical terms is relatively simple. You need an hexagonal socket set and a decent torque wrench. The access to the back of my engine requires a very small contortionist so it took me quite a long time just to undo the bolts.
I had the added problem of stripped splines on the input shaft of the gearbox which delayed refitting the saildrive and added considerably to the cost.
Interlude
Member
I believe Volvo says 7 years, Yanmar has a double seal with a water leak alarm between them, supposedly good for 20 years, although their manual says 2 years in one place (from memory). I did a search some time ago and found lots of respondents with >>10 years and some > 20 years, and heard of one story of a grounded cat ramming the drive up through one hull with spectacular results - checking the state of the rear engine mount might be a good idea - also testing the Yanmar leak alarm annually!
- also testing the Yanmar leak alarm annually!
Sans Bateau
Well-known member
Just changed mine. Do you want to buy the old one? Its only 17 years old and looks as good as the new one.
That said, if I owned an ordinary boat I would change it more often.
That said, if I owned an ordinary boat I would change it more often.
