Converting saildrive to standard driveshaft

[Jim Cook]

I'm still having trouble with my saildrive. I need to replace it again, but Volvo doesn't make the parts anymore. I have a Volvo Penta 110S connected to my Volvo MD7A engine.Has anyone converted a saildrive to a regular setup (drive shaft, stuffing box, etc)? Any suggestions or comments will be appreciated.Thanks,Jim Cook"Dream Chaser"

 

[Rod Johnson,]

Been done

I have heard of an owner removing his original OMC Zephyr Saildrive and replacing it with a Diesel inboard with convential shaft, strut and prop. O'day offered a straight inboard in later models of the 28 (universal Diesel, I think).Are you thinking of converting your present Volvo engine to a convential inboard? It should be possible if Volvo still uses that engine. It may require a transmission swap and modifications to the engine mounts. Engine will need to be on an angle now unless you use a CV-Joint.

 

[Mike]

web site to help you

Jim-Believe it or not there is a web site for sail drive owners. It is a group found on Yahoo. I'm sure if you type in "saildrive" at the yahoo search prompt, Yahoo will take you there.I spoke with the Yanmar rep at the Chicago Sail Boat show and they want $11,000 to convert the Zephyr (OMC 2-stroke) to a Yanmar engine. It seems that there is extensive fiberglass work to do for the conversion; thus the expense. Honda will also convert and it costs around $8,000 for the same reason; just a cheaper gas engine.If you have a Volvo diesel now I don't see why you want to change. The sail drive is a fairly sound inboard set up. In fact I see it on a fair number of big boats. If you are saying, however that the "Volvo" engine you now have is a 2-stroke gas then it's gonna' be expensive to change.Good luck at the web site,Mike