Are sterndrives reliable? Yes, provided correct maintenance procedures have been carried out at the required intervals. Sterndrives on trailer boat applications are more reliable than permanently moored sterndrives.
How long do stern drives last?
It’s also common to expect between 10-15 years out of a well-used sterndrive and transom assembly, and then it’s a matter of continual repairs or replacing it once and for all. Sterndrives are a faster and more efficient design, as they are mounted to the rear and produce less drag.
Is an outboard or stern drive better?
Fuel Efficiency
If gallons per hour are important to you, consider a modern four-stroke outboard, as they are often the most fuel efficient. While RPMs at a cruising speed tend to be higher with an outboard engine, they still beat sterndrives in fuel efficiency — one of the pros of outboards on bowriders.
Are stern drives bad in salt water?
If your boat spends much of its time in saltwater, corrosion of the sterndrive becomes a concern. Manufacturers install sacrificial anodes that are designed for your boat’s sterndrive and protect the aluminum housing from corrosion. Monitor them closely and replace them when they become half wasted.
How many hours does a sterndrive last?
The average marine gasoline engine runs for 1,500 hours before needing a major overhaul. The average marine diesel engine will run for more than three times that long and log an average 5,000 hours under the same conditions.
Can you beach a stern drive boat?
If you just beach your boat stern out, it does not take much wave action or tide change to leave you stuck and in a real mess.
Can you leave a stern drive boat in the water?
Never leave the sterndrive trimmed up in the water for an extended period of time. In this position, marine growth on the stainless ram can damage the seals to the ram cylinder.
What’s the difference between an inboard and a stern drive?
A sterndrive is a marine propulsion system that is attached to a sterndrive, also known as an outdrive. The drive unit is both the transmission and propulsion.An inboard is a marine propulsion system that is enclosed within the hull of the boat — it is usually connected to a propulsion screw by a driveshaft.
Why are outboard motors so unreliable?
Many boat engines are “unreliable” because they are not taken care of correctly. While some boat engines are less reliable than others, there are common engine issues that appear from overuse, ill-maintenance, or low-quality materials.
Are Inboards quieter?
The Inboard
You can identify an inboard by the separate rudder used to steer the ship.While they require a large box in the middle of the ship to hold the engine, they are quieter than their outboard counterparts and better for entertaining guests.
How bad is saltwater for a boat?
Saltwater is not good for boats because it corrodes the boat forming rust on the metal surfaces of the boat. Saltwater corrodes metal 5 times faster than freshwater. So, you need to be careful while boating in saltwater. Humid ocean air causes the metal to corrode 10 times faster than air with normal humidity.
What’s the difference between sterndrive and outdrive?
Outboards provide more room in the boat because they are installed on the transom, outside the boat. A sterndrive combines inboard power with outboard drive. The engine sits just forward of the transom while the drive unit (outdrive or drive leg) lies outside the hull.
Is 1000 hours a lot on a boat?
How many hours is good for a used boat? A used boat powered by an outboard motor or gas inboard with less than 1000 hours is a boat worth considering a purchase. A diesel-powered boat with 3000 to 5000 hours that has been maintained well is also a boat that may be worth owning.
Is 500 hours a lot for a boat?
500 hours on a boat is not a lot. In fact, 500 hours is a sweet spot to buy/sell a boat. If the boat is used around 30-100 hours each year, a boat with 500-hours is a good pick because 30-100 hours each year imply the owner probably would have done annual maintenance; otherwise, the boat couldn’t get that long.
How many hours will a 4.3 MerCruiser go?
The average life for raw water cooled engines is 1,000-1,500 hours or less depending on how often they are used and how well they have been maintained. Sitting unused is hard on them, it’s better if they are run and flushed often.
What is a stern anchor?
Stern anchors, or kedges, are used to moor bow-to the shore. Drop the anchor three or four boatlengths out and then gently motor in using the stern line as a brake. If you run out of line, try accelerating and dragging the anchor slightly.
Is it OK to beach a fiberglass boat?
Sand (as in sandpaper) is abrasive. It will scratch gelcoat, possibly cause water intrusion into the fiberglass laminate, and remove antifouling coatings if your boat is painted. I know people do it all the time — I personally don’t advise it.
Can you anchor a boat overnight?
For overnight anchoring, you’ll want a 15 to 20 lb. anchor for a 24′ boat. The heavier anchor allows you stay put for much longer, so you can focus on sleeping instead of worrying about floating down the river. Finally, you’ll want a nylon rope that’s at least 10 times longer than the depth of the water.
Are sterndrive boats good?
The advantages to a sterndrive are the vessel design and ability to offer larger horsepower options. With a lot of fishing boats, the rear deck space and access is important. For those looking to do water sport, it can be beneficial having a rear swim platform without a motor protruding in the middle.
How do stern drives work?
A stern-drive engine is attached through the transom to a drive unit (also called an “outdrive”) that is essentially the lower unit of an outboard.Steering of stern-drive boats is controlled by the outdrive, which swivels like an outboard engine to direct propeller thrust.
What are bellows on a sterndrive boat?
Many stern-drives have flexible gaskets, called “bellows,” that seal the water out where the universal joint, shift cable and exhaust run between boat and drive. Their flexibility allows the drive to trim and turn while under way, but they can dry out and crack due to heat, harsh weather or age.
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