saildrive (pro's/cons)

[Redbull addict]

Hi,

I've read some articles and a couple of threads about the advantages of saildrives, but I curious if there are any cons to a saildrive. Is it more expensive? I assume you need to haul the boat out of the water in order to replace the engine. Engine more susceptable to damage during a grounding?

[delmarrey]

Imagine having an outboard motor lower end always in the water.

The keel/rudder SHOULD protect a saildrive in a grounding, except on Cats.

[never monday]

Yes a saildrive is more expensive, up front and if it has a major failure.
No, the engine can be removed and the drive left in and the boat floating.
If the drive needs to be pulled the boat will need to be on the hard.

[sv_makai]

I love my saildrives. No more water intrusion from the packing gland, no more shaft alginments, compact. Less space used inside the engine room compartment.

Need to pay attention to the zincs. Most sd legs are aluminum and electrolysis can be a problem if not watched.

[Antares]

I currently have a boat with a sail drive and had a conventional shaft on the previous one. The sail drive is proving to be quieter and smoother when motoring, no question based on my experiences. There is information to indicate the sail drive has less drag. Having the propeller parallel versus inclined also seems more efficient. The down side is keeping after the corrosion. My shaft just need a few minutes to replace the zincs either under water or when hauled. The Volvo sail drive I have know requires removing the the prop to replace the zinc and so for me it is a haul out. I won't do it under water just because I don't want to drop something small and vital into the goo. The cost of hanging the boat for an hour is about the same as hiring a diver so out we go. It does allow for a good bottom survey and scrub so it isn't all bad. Based on by experience, I would go for the sail drive in the future if it was a tie breaker between boats.

[Sunspot Baby]

Boat built 1994. I bought it 2001. Except for a cooling issue (see other threads) I have had zero problems with the sail drives.

My cat has keels that extend below the sail drives so I can, drive it to the beach, let the tide go out and sit level until the tide returns, not problem with the sail drives.

They can fail at times, but so can transmisions on "regular" inboards.

George

[slomotion]

you understand how these drives are sealed to the hull and only paint them with made-for-aluminum primer and antifouling:

On The Hard