Should I change my impeller?

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mucklestone

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Currently fitting a new sterndrive leg and transom assmebly to my Fletcher speedboat.

It is 2012, but it brand new (never been in the water on on a boat)

Therefore should I change the impeller before use? It is brand new but will have been sitting in one place all these years.

It will obviously need a full service, but really want to give it a water run first.

I think I know the answer to this btw
 
Shame you didn't take the impeller out and keep it separately! I think a new one is in order. That might be all you need to do, though!
 
What sort of sterndrive is that ?
The reason I ask is there is no impeller in my sterndrives . However my boat isn't a Fletcher. :)
 
It is a Mercruiser Alpha 1. They have the raw water impeller in the leg.

Not all sterndrives are the same, some have the raw water pump belt driven off the engine.
 
I'd remove it to see if the rubber is still flexible and soft, if so then I'd have thought it would be safe to use. If, on the other hand, it's gone hard and plasticky I'd bin it...
 
Why not remove the impeller for inspection ?. Or fit a new one and keep the removed impeller as a spare?
 

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After that time, I'd definitely change it. If the old one seems OK - flexible, all the vanes straight, no cracks, especially at the base of the vanes - then I'd keep it as a get me home spare, but while you're buying one, it's as easy to get two, and the cost isn't that much in the great, expensive, scheme of boat ownership. I pushed an impellor a bit too far once, and I'm not about to do it again.
 
You guys are right. To be honest I knew it myself.

Thing is I have had this boat down to bare hull to replace rotten floor/wooden and am just getting to the point I'm looking to cut corners!
 
Be silly not to, given how easy and quick it is to do. I’d also say that no doubt some aftermarket parts have their use…I’d strongly suggest a genuine quicksilver impeller in there. Definitely seen plenty to indicate that they seem to last longer and be of a better quality than most other alternatives that are half the price or less.
You’ll know already I’m sure. Check that alignment, engine to outdrive, whilst you have the thing apart. Is it a sealed gimble bearing she has in her or the older greasable one ?
 
Yes I spent forever on the alignment. Still nervous about it but seemed sweet by the end. The alignment tool popped in and out with only little finger and thumb.

The transom assembly is new as well so new gimble bearing with it. Only the engine will remain original and has had a top end rebuild and repaint whilst out the boat.
 
mucklestone said:
Yes I spent forever on the alignment. Still nervous about it but seemed sweet by the end. The alignment tool popped in and out with only little finger and thumb.

The transom assembly is new as well so new gimble bearing with it. Only the engine will remain original and has had a top end rebuild and repaint whilst out the boat.
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Sounds like you’re on it. Excellent. Which model of fletcher is she and what’s the engine, if you don’t mind me asking ? I’m a fletcher fan and owner myself.
 
Not sure the exact year but the engine serial no. puts it around 1986, I think the boat is probs a year or two newer - maybe the engine sat in stock for a while?

It's around 17ft with 3.0 mercruiser. She's a small boat but handles the chop more comfortably than some much larger boats.
 
mucklestone said:
Not sure the exact year but the engine serial no. puts it around 1986, I think the boat is probs a year or two newer - maybe the engine sat in stock for a while?

It's around 17ft with 3.0 mercruiser. She's a small boat but handles the chop more comfortably than some much larger boats.
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Great hulls for sure. It’s likely an arrowbeau 170 GTS if the boat is the same age.
 
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