Sterndrive can be submerged all time in seawater ?

[erick11s]

My boat is a Cobalt 272 and this all the time in the dock and sterdrive mercruiser Bravo 3, this totally under water, what should I do? is this really bad?
Thanks for your help.
Erick

 

[Don S]

Re: Sterndrive can be submerged all time in seawater ?

what should I do? is this really bad?

You have to keep up with the anodes for one thing, and make sure things don't start corroding away on it.
You still need to pull the outdrive yearly, and check alignment, lube the gimbal bearing and clean up the mess. Check the bellows for water or possible gear lube leaks from the front seal. Check and lube the ujoints etc.

An outdrive boat is the worst boat you could have and want to keep in the water 365 and not do a lot of maintenance. Just won't happen.

 

[erick11s]

Re: Sterndrive can be submerged all time in seawater ?

Dear Don, thanks for you GOOD answer.

Erick

 

[Bondo]

Re: Sterndrive can be submerged all time in seawater ?

Ayuh,... Properly Maintained,.. Outdrives have No problem living Underwater...

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Sterndrive can be submerged all time in seawater ?

buy the quicksilver reference electrode,buy a decent digital multimeter from radio shack, periodically check the stray current voltage.
last reference electrode I bought was about 90 dollars and the meter about 25 dollars.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Sterndrive can be submerged all time in seawater ?

When you say seawater...if you mean SALT water then unfortunately you have the highest maintenance power system that there is for being docked in salt water...been there and still doing that myself. As others said you must keep up on the anodes and also your main problem is going to be marine growth...you have to get a good couple of coats of antifouling for aluminum (like Trilux or Alumaspray) on it and you will probably need to pull it out every 3 months to check the anodes and remove marine growth that you will get despite the anti fouling paint. I pull the drive every year and do the maintenance myself which helps with finding problems before they become major...but next boat in salt water....OUTBOARDS......

 

[nola mike]

Re: Sterndrive can be submerged all time in seawater ?

As far as keeping the drive "out" of the water (trailer position) v. "in" the water (trimmed down), at least for the alphas merc recommends keeping them in the water, so that the anodes are all under water and can do their job. now, as far as whether it's better to leave your drive in salt water all the time v. not, well, the answer is "not".

 

[Don S]

Re: Sterndrive can be submerged all time in seawater ?

Dear Don, thanks for you GOOD answer.

Erick

I have to assume I did not say what you wanted to hear?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Sterndrive can be submerged all time in seawater ?

I have to assume I did not say what you wanted to hear?

I think he was sincere. Might not be from around these parts.