Saildrive question

Status
Not open for further replies.
Sep 25, 2008
7,687
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
Anyone have one or knows if the procedure to change the gear oil is similar to that of an outboard lower unit, i.e., drain and refill from screw holes in lower unit?
 
Feb 6, 2006
249
Hunter 23 Bay Shore, LI, NY
There was an article recently

in, I think, Boat Works, on replacing the seals in a saildrive. It also covered the oil change and, as I recall, it was the same as an outboard with the same "test", i.e., if the oil is milky, change the shaft seal. Good luck.
 
Oct 25, 2006
80
Robinson and Caine Leopard 43 Somewhere hot and sunny
Yes and no Don.

Take a look at this, maybe it will help
 
Sep 25, 2008
7,687
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
I need a saildrive 101 course

Chris -saw the Boat Works article which emphasizes the seal and shaft mechanism but doesn't expain the lube oil other than to say refill... The link you posted ConchyJoe is excellent but the saildrive my son has is below the hull and therefore a different animal so still looking for advice if anyone has info on the proper way to refill.
 
D

Dan

What kind fo saildrive is it?

If it is an old OMC Zephyr saildrive, I have a manual and can scan a few pages for you.
 
Mar 21, 2005
75
Hunter 23.5 Lake Keowee, SC
Gotcha Don

If it is an old OMC, there is another article in Boatworks that shows how to remove it, patch up the hole, and mount an outboard on the back! ;-)
 
Mar 21, 2005
75
Hunter 23.5 Lake Keowee, SC
Don, check the manual

It's says that there is a drain plug, so if you can't get at it from the top, you will have to pull the boat and do it from the slings.
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,336
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Saildrive

I've always had "problems" with this concept of Saildrives. 1. For the builder or manufacturer-- easier and cheaper to install. 2. For the owner -- harder and more difficult to maintain. What part of this equation am I missing? The "seal" between the hull and the pop-through intrigues me still. Give me a simple stern tube and packing gland, dripless, regular or PSS, and I submit that simpler may be better in the long run. Just a thought.
 
Jun 2, 2004
3,648
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
I Always Kinda Liked the Well on Cal 20s

Pros and Cons to all systems I guess
 
Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
I think it is telling that

the manufacturers put a "water in sail drive" warning indicator and there is a place for the idiot light on the engine console. Perhaps they are trying to limit their liability?
 
A

Alex

Prop walk

Saildrive has no prop walk, which is both a plus and a minus. http://www.cruisingschool.co.uk/home/icc/prop%20walk.pdf If you are good at it you can use prop walk to aid docking. http://www.cruising.sailingcourse.com/docking.htm
 
T

Tom

Oil Change for Saildrive

I have a Volvo saildrive, but I don't think this job can be that different. The drain is located at the bottom of the drive, and therefore cannot be accessed unless the boat is hauled. It is filled, after replacing the drain plug, through the "dipstick" hole, behind the engine. I do mine as a part of the annual haulout. Hope this helps,
 
Status
Not open for further replies.