SD20 Sail Drives

[Snowgoose35]

I have a pair of Yanmar 3GM30 with SD20 sail drives. The engines are much older than drives and have reached the end of their serviceable life so I am replacing them with a pair of Beta Marine engines. I now have a choice - I can get Beta to supply with an adapter that will fit the SD20 or a can spend more and get two new Seaprop 60 sail drives with the engines from Beta.

I rebuilt the SD20 last year - new shafts and seals and other than needed a good blast off and repaint and new proper seacocks they seem to be fine and good at their job.

I can find little in the way of comparison to say that the Seaprop will be as reliable or more reliable or will work better or whatever than the SD20. On the one hand if it aint broke don't fix it - and save a couple of thousand in to the bargain but on the other hand the SD20 is old and will no doubt need replacing at some point so why not do it now when doing all the other work?

Does anyone have experience of both or information that can help with a decision?

[Privleoplag]

I sure like the sd20's. Pretty much trouble free.

[skipperpete]

Those old SD 20's are damned good saildrives, no cones or clutch packs to slip.... just a tough little dog clutch. I've not encountered the Seaprop60 saildrives yet so not able to make a comment about them.