Volvo Saildrive Outer Gasket

[emandvee44]

Went to the boat today to fit the propeller, which was successfully completed without too much anguish - even my wife remarked on the absence of expletives.
However, during the installation I noticed a 10mm diam. hole in the saildrive gasket and I am now thinking or replacing it. (I appreciate that the outer gasket is not supposed to be watertight).

Does the panel think replacement is necessary and if so where can I get one? (I have seven days available until launching)

Any advice welcome,

Michael.

 

[scottie]

I think you will find that it's meant to be there
Too regular to be damage.

 

[Martin_J]

That's normal... it's there on a new one..

 

[AIDY]

You get one of those holes free if you buy a new gasket.. i'd only replace it if the gasket is starting to peal off

 

[Zorro]

On my first boat I never even had the outer gasket, so I would not waste time or money replacing it.

 

[corinthmistral]

Its supposed to be there, its a drain hole to help let the water out of the void between the leg and the gasket.

 

[shogi]

The hole is meant to be there. At least on the original volvo part.

 

[Dipper]

Mine fell off once and got split by the propeller from the centre to the outside. It stayed on the saildrive so I dived below and recovered it. Later, I stuck it back on with epoxy where it has remained for a further 12 years so far. Yours is in better condition than mine!

The drain hole is supposed to be there.

 

[emandvee44]

Thanks everyone. I cannot understand why I had not noticed the hole 5 months ago when the boat was lifted out and I removed the propeller!

Once again, the answer comes from the Forum.

Cheers,

Michael.

 

[bigwow]

I think this post is just an excuse to show off that nice shiny prop!

 

[CharlesSwallow]

Mine fell off once and got split by the propeller from the centre to the outside. It stayed on the saildrive so I dived below and recovered it. Later, I stuck it back on with epoxy where it has remained for a further 12 years so far. Yours is in better condition than mine!

The drain hole is supposed to be there.

So, if it "has been there for a further 12 years", can we also assume that you have not replaced the main drive leg to hull seal (Volvo rec ev 7yrs) in all that time?

Chas

 

[VicS]

I think this post is just an excuse to show off that nice shiny prop!

And in few months time there will be a post about how quickly it's anode is being consumed!

 

[njsail]

Nice Prop. No need to replace the outter gasket. It's not water tight and just designed to keep things from growing or getting stuck up in there. We've never had one. Each year before launch I take a toliet brush (I keep one just for this purpose) and brush out any of the growth that found it's way in there over the year. It is very minimal for us.

I just replaced the saildrive gasket this year. That one hurt ($$$)

 

[Dipper]

So, if it "has been there for a further 12 years", can we also assume that you have not replaced the main drive leg to hull seal (Volvo rec ev 7yrs) in all that time?

Chas

No. I've changed the seal twice since then. Once the prop is removed the saildrive can be lifted up through the hole in the outer gasket. It's not a tight fit.