I have always had stern drive boats and have been quite happy.We are looking at a boat with merc big block s and V drives and would like to know if this can be trouble or not.Charlie
how is the acess to the packing ? on the shafts<br /><br />if you cant get to it you will not be happy with pulling the boat apart to repack it<br /><br />tommays
I have not jumped into the engine comp. yet.I have all the confidence in the world with 454s but know nothing about V drives and their dependability.Charlie
Vdrives are about as good as any other, they have advantages and disadvantages. one big one is the annual shaft alinment check and the occasional shaft packing/adjustmets. other than that they are like everything else, work great never break.
how good is the access? I dop a 33 wellcraft with a set of 454 mercs in about 3 hours a side. the 32 cruisers inc with a pair of 5.7s takes about 7 hours a side. there are a few ,searay 36, that have good access that can be done in an hour or so.
....and don't forget to reach a bit deeper into your pocket for gas money. V-drives get about 20 percent less fuel economy than a stern drive on the same boat. With fuel prices now over $3 and predicted to reach $5 next season - with V drives your boating enjoyment may have to be shortened to fit an annual operating budget.
I'll second what Rodbolt says on the wellcrafts! I have a 32 St. Tropez with the big blocks and access to the stuffing boxes is a complete PITA - I swear the only way to fit down there is to be 90 pounds soaking wet.
Thanks again for the info.I guess I will hop into the engine compartment and have a look.The area that needs to be accessable is where the shaft goes through the hull I guess???? There is a generator farthest back to the stern that looks very accessable.Charlie
macksea<br /> I got replacing the port enine with a long block down to a 23 hour ordeal from start to finnish on that hull . dont ask how but suffice it to say the first two merc sent were bad.
I recently switched to the GFO packing on my v-drives. I highly recommend it over standard teflon or flax. The drip rate is very low and requires fewer adjustments. I believe its all the Navy uses.<br /><br />I have good access and can check alignment in about 30 minutes a side and adjust in about an hour and a half a side if all goes well. ZF Hurth drives.
I recently switched to the GFO packing on my v-drives. I highly recommend it over standard teflon or flax. The drip rate is very low and requires fewer adjustments. I believe its all the Navy uses.<br /><br />I have good access and can check alignment in about 30 minutes a side and adjust in about an hour and a half a side if all goes well. ZF Hurth drives.
Hey Navigator336, where did you get GFO packing? Do you use it just like regular packing? My current packing had no leaks. Crazy Charlie, pardon my hi-jacking.
No problem with the Hijacking guys.I will have to use this info for a future purchase.The boat was sold before I got a chance to see it again.Guess it was a good deal.Charlie
I could only find the GFO packing on line. www.e-marine-inc.com/products/gfopacking/packing.html<br /><br />It installs exactly the same way and looks just like any other packing except it is black. It is graphite impregnated telfon. The graphite conducts the heat which prevents burning even with very little water leaking through.
. dont ask how but suffice it to say the first two merc sent were bad.