What is the braided hose on the sterndrive?

[pangolin]

I am looking at this 1996 chaparral 5.7 L Mercruiser alpha one outdrive. There is the hose on the outdrive I am not familiar with. The owner says that the previous owner added it and thinks it is for water flow. Does anyone know what it is and what it is for?

 

[GA_Boater]

The hose feeds a drive shower to help cool the top of the drive. Believe it's an Eddie Marine version.

 

[pangolin]

OK, thanks. What kind of benefit is that? Longer life of parts, etc.?

 

[Grub54891]

It's supposed to cool the upper drive while up on plane. The lower drive is still in the water, but the upper is not. most all of the drives do not have them and do just fine, but keeping it cooler won't hurt it any. I've felt mine after a long run, and it does get warm to the touch, like touching your forehead, no worries. I bet you just touched your forehead....lol

 

[Thalasso]

The showers are usually on high horsepower engines. It keeps the upper cooler because it runs out of the water
That is a Dana H2O system

 

[pangolin]

Thanks for the info. Will there be any additional maintenance to worry about with this shower?

 

[GA_Boater]

Not really other than keeping the pick up debris free.

 

[thumpar]

They also keep the drive looking better if it is getting really warm. On a long run the water that is on the upper warms up and evaporates leaving deposits. I have to clean my B1 to keep the upper from looking gray.