carlton
Well-Known Member
On the strength of your comments, I've just phoned 'em. They are, indeed, brand new units. Like I said, cheap as chips.
What makes stern drives unreliable?
- Thread starter wipe_out
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On the strength of your comments, I've just phoned 'em. They are, indeed, brand new units. Like I said, cheap as chips.
epervier
Well-Known Member
In answer to the OP's question, What makes stern drives unreliable?
Answer, fishing line!
Get some between the counter rotating props, it buggers the seals, and on a 290 VP duo prop set up the seals were 67 squid, plus new oil and all the time faffing about getting the job done, it ain't difficult to do, it's just a PITA for the sake of some discarded fishing line plus you've got to do asap because the gears don't like spinning in salt water mayo.
Answer, fishing line!
Get some between the counter rotating props, it buggers the seals, and on a 290 VP duo prop set up the seals were 67 squid, plus new oil and all the time faffing about getting the job done, it ain't difficult to do, it's just a PITA for the sake of some discarded fishing line plus you've got to do asap because the gears don't like spinning in salt water mayo.
lynall
Well-Known Member
Changed prop on mine 6 months ago and it took ages getting the fishing line of the prop shaft, then i twigged remove the washer and fishing line fell off!
All done with leg trimmed up, but prop underwater woking off the bathing platform, nice and easy, apart from the fishing line.
As for reliability i havent a clue, must service it this year!
Lynall
All done with leg trimmed up, but prop underwater woking off the bathing platform, nice and easy, apart from the fishing line.
As for reliability i havent a clue, must service it this year!
Lynall
rafiki_
Well-Known Member
The Merc Alphas seem less prone to seal probs
No Regrets
Well-Known Member
But compared to Shafts, all of them are a nightmare in terms of overall cost.
Anything goes wrong, it's a lift out immediately (Sometimes literally!)
As for draft, our 32'er has a draft of 3', which is not a problem, and those big bronze props will do a little digging before it's a problem.
Most issues with the transmission are done from inside.
Anything goes wrong, it's a lift out immediately (Sometimes literally!)
As for draft, our 32'er has a draft of 3', which is not a problem, and those big bronze props will do a little digging before it's a problem.
Most issues with the transmission are done from inside.
GrahamHR
Well-Known Member
I was not going to join in this outdrive bashing thread, as I'm biased, not having had any mechanical problems with the outdrives I've had ( and not wishing to invoke immediate disaster by writing how good they have been !)
The only problem I have had was when I picked up a submerged lobster pot line at speed ( 25 + knots) 11 years ago, it brought up the pot with it's steel hawser which got sliced off by the stainless props. End result one new lower unit ( skeg sliced off) and bent prop blades ( the latter were repaired).It still got us back to the marina some 15 miles away. I wonder what would have happened to a boat with shafts/ P bracket etc doing that speed if such a steel hawser and lobster put had got intimately involved with them.
If shafts are so simple, cheap and problem free, why aren't all power boats fitted with them? Surely a missed opportunity for the manufacturers of the boats to make more money ?
If outdrives are unreliable, surely the cause is the human owners that neglect them, not anything inherent in the outdrives themselves unless the build quality is appalling ( looking at the shimming instructions for a Volvo DPS, I suspect they are built to a high standard)
The only problem I have had was when I picked up a submerged lobster pot line at speed ( 25 + knots) 11 years ago, it brought up the pot with it's steel hawser which got sliced off by the stainless props. End result one new lower unit ( skeg sliced off) and bent prop blades ( the latter were repaired).It still got us back to the marina some 15 miles away. I wonder what would have happened to a boat with shafts/ P bracket etc doing that speed if such a steel hawser and lobster put had got intimately involved with them.
If shafts are so simple, cheap and problem free, why aren't all power boats fitted with them? Surely a missed opportunity for the manufacturers of the boats to make more money ?
If outdrives are unreliable, surely the cause is the human owners that neglect them, not anything inherent in the outdrives themselves unless the build quality is appalling ( looking at the shimming instructions for a Volvo DPS, I suspect they are built to a high standard)
AndieMac
Well-Known Member
Sierra Marine, Sterndrive Engineering (SEI) have been producing new replacement parts for years OG, you can mix and match perfectly with genuine parts at a fraction of the OEM parts cost, especially if the US dollar is low.
MapisM
Well-Known Member
Ermm, they are, in fact. Whenever appropriate, of course.
I always failed to understand the old debate about shafts vs. sterndrives, because they are targeted at very different boats.
The natural sterndrive competitors are respectively outboards in the lower power range, and surface transmission for higher power. Surely not shafts, anyway.
The fact that there are boats offered with both sterndrives and shafts is just incidental, and it's driven by the fact that for some borderline hulls which are suitable for both propulsion types, builders tend to offer also outdrives because they allow - counter-intuitive as it might be - some cost reductions.
But in the large majority of boats, there isn't such thing as a choice between shafts and outdrives. That wouldn't make any sense.
So, why bother about whether sterndrives are more or less reliable than shafts?
It's pretty obvious to anyone who has seen a shaft and an outdrive that the latter is more complex and demands more maintenance than the first, to the point that it's not even worth objecting to anyone who says the opposite.
Then again, so what? In most of the sterndrives driven boats, they are the ONLY propulsion available, and for good technical reasons.
Duster
N/A
Many US built boats offer a sterndrive / outboard option.
In my opinion, the reliability of the Japanese built outboards has now well overtaken sterndrives and reliable servicing and repairs for outboards are more available in the remote parts of the UK.
To me this is confirmed by the length of warranty........6 years on some outboards, 1 to 3 years on sterndrives. That would draw me back to outboards for boats>26 ft.
In my opinion, the reliability of the Japanese built outboards has now well overtaken sterndrives and reliable servicing and repairs for outboards are more available in the remote parts of the UK.
To me this is confirmed by the length of warranty........6 years on some outboards, 1 to 3 years on sterndrives. That would draw me back to outboards for boats>26 ft.
hlb
RIP
The first problem with outdrives is that, you wont know there is a problem till water is coming out of the bell housing. By that time all the internals will be knackered and the shaft could be drilling a big hole in the transom.
The other problem is, drives are rubbish in a big sea, they are forever out of the water.
In twelve or more years, I never managed to get a shaft drive out of the water.
The other problem is, drives are rubbish in a big sea, they are forever out of the water.
In twelve or more years, I never managed to get a shaft drive out of the water.
[2068]
...
In fourteen or more years, I never managed to get a stern drive out of the water, unless there was a bl@@dy big crane to lift the boat.
But, what "P-bracket sees AIR" prize were you really after ???
hlb
RIP
I don't understand the question, all I am trying to do is give forty years of experience.
It no longer matters to me, what folk do with it. But when you have experienced backing into rocks, with no way of getting a bite into the water. You will understand why shafts are much better. Mind, as most folk hardly go anywhere, they will not know the difference.
Portofino
Well-Known Member
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Jim@sea
Well-Known Member
I bought a boat on shaft which was 20 years old from the original owner. He had kept every single service invoice from new. Reading through the bills which were propely detailed there was not one single mention of any maintenance work which had been carried out on the shaft or the water lubricated thing it runs inside. The engine had done 2100 hours and when I sold the boat 2400 hours and still no play.
Back in 1973 I had bought a brand new boat with outdrive leg. At a year old I had it serviced and I particually remember the Volvo Engineer saying "We have saved your leg" At 75 hours old ???
Back in 1973 I had bought a brand new boat with outdrive leg. At a year old I had it serviced and I particually remember the Volvo Engineer saying "We have saved your leg" At 75 hours old ???
oldgit
Well-Known Member
"On the strength of your comments, I've just phoned 'em. They are, indeed, brand new units. Like I said, cheap as chips"
Maybe they bought the old tools and moulds from Mercruiser.Still find it difficult to believe that somebody would go to the time and trouble of producing an exact copy of an old leg.
.Suspect that although it may have a made in USA sticker much/all the bits come from China ?
Most of the ODL (Outdrive Defence League)
have only had boats with legs.
Those among us who started out with outdrives and after experiencing first hand the expence plus downtime ashore that these devices seem to demand usually go on to make sure next boat has shafts.
A proper comparison is then possible from both sides of the debate.
If you like boats you may like outdrives ..If you like boating you will love shafts.
Maybe they bought the old tools and moulds from Mercruiser.Still find it difficult to believe that somebody would go to the time and trouble of producing an exact copy of an old leg.
.Suspect that although it may have a made in USA sticker much/all the bits come from China ?
Most of the ODL (Outdrive Defence League)
have only had boats with legs.Those among us who started out with outdrives and after experiencing first hand the expence plus downtime ashore that these devices seem to demand usually go on to make sure next boat has shafts.
A proper comparison is then possible from both sides of the debate.
If you like boats you may like outdrives ..If you like boating you will love shafts.
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carlton
Well-Known Member
piratos
Well-Known Member
I have followed this thread with interest, and I did expect a fight similar to any thread abt colregs
First boaters - normally means small boats means outboards, moving up sterndrives and at some stage inboards on shafts.
I have been all the way through.
would anybody imagine a 12ft dinghy with inboard on shafts ??
I would also claim that with a single installion with sterndrive you have a better maneuvrebility than on single shafts. So why are (some of you) immediately comparing with twin shafts ?? OK nowadays nobody seem to be able to handle a boat without thrusters anyway (sry
)Some folks also prefer to stick forward facing props below the boat - why ?? speed + fuel economy (for 50 hrs a year
)If I compare 1000 hrs with my stern drive with the shafts there has been service to the drives (at that time alpha 1) every 100 hrs (including lift out for oilchange in leg and change of anodes). With the shafts none at all. But buying a cheaper installation you accept the higher service cost - your reasons for buying the sterndrives may be different and very subjective, but you knew what you bought.
On the other side I am a lot more cautios in shallow water with the shafts than with the sterndrives -and sometimes even have to accept I wont go there.
I see somebody claiming the sterndrives are useless in bad weather. I absolutely disagree. Running against waves where you may even have to "tack" like a sailingboat to avoid looking the fish in their eyes, the sterndrive response a lot better than shafts/rudders.
The decission is however also what boat fit the drive/shaft best - maybe the discussion should rather be pods or drives
I prefer the shafts for one reason only - "servicefree" but I do know that properly serviced the sterndrives work well.
DAKA
Well-Known Member
I used to have a cornich on outdrives.
1600 to 2000 nm a season
4-6 seasons.
Channel Islands
Farne Islands
Holland
Paris
For the miles covered they were reasonably reliable but I needed mid season lifts and was very lucky twice with water ingress I caught just in time.
one of the 4 bladed props would shear a blade every 1000nm, which meant finding calmish water to change at sea.
The only reason why I got away with reasonable reliability was I was berthed in fresh water and only wet for 7 months of the year.
as soon as we decided to berth in salt water marina year round we moved to shafts.
Outdrives are fine for a 2-3 month summer season.
Sad as it is thats about all we get in the UK
mid June to mid sept
If you are just playing in the solent for the summer season then outdrives are fine , have them serviced end of may but be prepared for one in 3 seasons to be interrupted.
1600 to 2000 nm a season
4-6 seasons.
Channel Islands
Farne Islands
Holland
Paris
For the miles covered they were reasonably reliable but I needed mid season lifts and was very lucky twice with water ingress I caught just in time.
one of the 4 bladed props would shear a blade every 1000nm, which meant finding calmish water to change at sea.
The only reason why I got away with reasonable reliability was I was berthed in fresh water and only wet for 7 months of the year.
as soon as we decided to berth in salt water marina year round we moved to shafts.
Outdrives are fine for a 2-3 month summer season.
Sad as it is thats about all we get in the UK
mid June to mid sept
If you are just playing in the solent for the summer season then outdrives are fine , have them serviced end of may but be prepared for one in 3 seasons to be interrupted.
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oldgit
Well-Known Member
Fixed that for you.
Flaw in that argument is one of my boats, a Regal, had a pair of "Black Anchors" on the back.
After hæmorrhaging cash for about a year finally admitted defeat and jumped out of the pan into a Volvo Penta fire .
No wonder the local Mercruiser and VP dealer both drove Range Rovers
Just remembered that the top bearing on one of the Mercruisers literally disintergrated as we went along and the rams sometimes lasted a whole season before dissolving.
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MapisM
Well-Known Member
If you disagree on the basis of the fact that with sterndrives you can exploit the steerable thrust, you obviously missed the point.
In some sea conditions (short and steep waves), sterndrives props can and do spin in the air frequently.
And when this happens, you loose thrust completely, which is much worse than having only longitudinal thrust.
The fact that FlowerPower never experienced that in 14 years simply means that he never cruised in such sea conditions.
Which is very sensible, btw. In hindsight, I also should have rather avoided crossing the Kvarner Gulf with a 34' boat with outdrives, many years ago, having to constantly work on the throttles for that reason...