Lifespan of an Outdrive?

Vvmfuno

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Jul 2, 1997, 3:00:00 AM7/2/97

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How long will a properly maintianed outdrive used for cruising-not water
skiing- last assuming it does not hit a rock? They are essentially
transmissions. WIll an outdrive last for a decade?

I hate outdrives, but have had them all my boating life. Now have a Bravo
2 which seems solid thusfar.

William Heasley

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Jul 3, 1997, 3:00:00 AM7/3/97

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Vvmfuno <vvm...@aol.com> wrote in article
<19970702025...@ladder01.news.aol.com>...

I have an 85' Regal with the original Mercruiser outdrive, type I I
believe. Although I have only owned it for 2 years, none of the maintenance
records I have indicate anything but regular maintenance. It performs great
and I use it in fresh and salt water for waterskiing on a weekly basis
during the summer and at least monthly other seasons.

With regular maintenance and care....and avoiding underwater hazards the
outdrive should last a considerable time, I have confidance in mine for
many more years of service.

fba...@capecod.net

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Jul 4, 1997, 3:00:00 AM7/4/97

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We run a "67 Bertram , 25' , w/ original Merc. 488's and original outdrives
Maintainance is everything .

swam...@ais-gwd.com

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Jul 6, 1997, 3:00:00 AM7/6/97

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> many more years of service.The only drawback to old outdrives is the deterioration of the boots
which should be replaced long before 10 years. If they fail all the bilge
pumps at boat us couldn't save you.

Lawrence

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Jul 7, 1997, 3:00:00 AM7/7/97

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In article <33BFEF...@ais-gwd.com>, swam...@ais-gwd.com says...

>which should be replaced long before 10 years. If they fail all the bilge
>pumps at boat us couldn't save you.

Crank it up and head for the beach. It won't leak as long as you're cruising!

Robert Bolick

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Jul 8, 1997, 3:00:00 AM7/8/97

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I have seen in my club new mercruisers completly disolve in as little as
4 years but the boat two slips down last 10 or more. One guy has a old
houseboat with Dana sterndrives that were made in 63 and they still look
good. So in answer to your question, who knows???

hidda

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Jul 10, 1997, 3:00:00 AM7/10/97

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> which should be replaced long before 10 years. If they fail all the bilge
> pumps at boat us couldn't save you.

In which case, you should buy a Volvo. A boot failure will not sink a
boat with a Volvo. Any bilge pump should handle the drip that will come
in past the shaft seal if any. So long as the pair of rubber donuts are
in good shape and the shaft seal is greased and in similar shape, you
should not have any sea water come into the boat, even if your drive
falls off.

Lawrence

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Jul 11, 1997, 3:00:00 AM7/11/97

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In article <33C535...@mauigateway.com>, hidda says...

>
>In which case, you should buy a Volvo. A boot failure will not sink a
>boat with a Volvo. Any bilge pump should handle the drip that will come
>in past the shaft seal if any. So long as the pair of rubber donuts are
>in good shape and the shaft seal is greased and in similar shape, you
>should not have any sea water come into the boat, even if your drive
>falls off.

What are you, a volvo salesman? If volvo's so good why is it their
market share is so small? I don't see anybody racing volvos. And
quit comparing duoprops to single screw mercs, try the bravo 3, same
as a duoprop except from the industry leader!