Fogg 427 Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 Saildrive leg seals. The big ones that need replacing every 7-10 yrs (estimates vary but insurers are known to favour 7 yrs otherwise expect a tough time if they fail and you've exceeded this). But on the other hand I've heard them still going strong after twice that time. A friend just replaced his after 12 yrs and was glad that he did - it was well worn down. I hadn't touched mine since buying AC 7 yrs ago and suspected it was the original, making it up to 17yrs old - so time to bite the bullet. Well, it has provisionally gone smoothly (engine removed from mounts, saildrive leg extracted etc) and the new seals are in. But I say provisionally because I haven't yet relaunched to confirm the new seals don't leak. But interesting thing is that the two 'old' seals now sitting in the boot of my car look perfectly fine. Sure, a couple of marks here and there, but they essentially look solid and strong and as a good as new. So god knows how much longer they might have lasted. So nothing new really new learned from this other than the 7yr insurance 'rule' is probably highly cautious and 10yrs is probably still safe unless you've abused your saildrive e.g. accidently positioned the crane strops underneath it and lifted the boat - as I've seen a couple of times. Anyway, the new ones are date stamped and if I still own AC in 7yrs time I'll probably repalce them again then, just for peace of mind. Link to post Share on other sites
B00B00 310 Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 What kind of cost/time is involved in the job AC? Link to post Share on other sites
Fogg 427 Posted September 25, 2011 Author Share Posted September 25, 2011 The expensive parts were the 2 major diaphragms $590 + $280 = $870. Then the usual other bits for a normal saildrive leg service (o rings, oil etc). It requires removal of the saildrive leg which in turn requires releasing the engine from it's mounts and disconnecting several major systems. For an engineer familiar with the process it takes 6-8 hours all up, so cost depends on whether you can do it yourself or whether (like me) you need to pay someone else to do it for you at the going rate typically $80-90 / hr. So for me, I'm looking at total cost of about $2k based on around $1k parts, ~$700 labour + GST etc. But that should be it for another 7-10 yrs and it is date stamped so any potential new buyer of AC will know how long they have before incurring this cost again. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 Wonder how that compares with the cost of routine maintenance etc for a shaft? I liked my saildrive - bone dry, no vibration. Link to post Share on other sites
Fogg 427 Posted September 25, 2011 Author Share Posted September 25, 2011 Yeah I wonder too. It's years since I had a shaft drive and when I did it never needed a major overhaul, just a bit of grease now and again. But presumably there is a big service point for them too? Link to post Share on other sites
idlerboat 116 Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 ....I love my shaft drive....bone dry and no vibation ! Link to post Share on other sites
wheels 543 Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 More expensive than a shaft, but there are some major benifits also, mostly in the installation. Being able to keep the engine well aft, especially in a flat'ish hull etc. There should also be no prop walk due to the horizontal shaft. Link to post Share on other sites
Bimini Babe 0 Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 ....I love my shaft drive....bone dry and no vibation ! I'd be asking for a refund..... Link to post Share on other sites
rigger 47 Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 There should also be no prop walk due to the horizontal shaft. But you still get transverse thrust Link to post Share on other sites
Atom Ant 0 Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 Just replaced my seals and thrust bearings in my shaft installation last year. Price of them killed me - Around a hundy for them both! Link to post Share on other sites
Chewing Gum 17 Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 I like shaft drive - no corrosion or seal issues and practically no maintenance over 10years and 2000 hours. We have a constant velocity joint (like aquadrive) to stop vibration and a lip seal so no water drips. Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 Just replaced my seals and thrust bearings in my shaft installation last year. I like shaft drive But you still get transverse thrust ....I love my shaft drive....bone dry and no vibation ! This thread is starting to look like people are just pinching excerpts from a Mills N Boon 'Adult Edition'. Link to post Share on other sites
PaulR 3 Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 BB: You can get a refund on a used Mills & Boon Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 Mills and Boon? Whats that some sort of winch? Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Posted September 27, 2011 Share Posted September 27, 2011 Mills and Boon? Whats that some sort of winch? G'day It's a forward lower wench, multi-speed, bi-directional top-loading handle, is it not; thought you'd have known that. Ciao. james Link to post Share on other sites
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