Stern drive boat in salt water

M

MarcJ

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Joined
Mar 6, 2008
RO Number
29549
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195
Does anyone have a stern drive boat kept in the SF Bay? I would be interested to know if the salt water is an issue as far as corrosion is concerned. How often do you change the zincs. Do you keep it on a hydro hoist?
 
No doubt, Flutterby will flutter by shortly with vast experience in this area.

Personally, I would not want to keep a sterndrive boat in the water, fresh or salt. Not just corrosion, but degraded boots can sink a boat and water intrusion can ruin an OD. A HydroHoist is a great alternative and would provide me great peace of mind.
 
depends on the stern drive brand... with the older volvos (and maybe the newer ones) leaky bellows will not sink the boat as there are seals in the housing. I used to keep a boat with a 280 duoprop (late 80s vintage) in salt year round, no corrosion issue.
 
I've done it here in Long Island (salt water). No real problem with corrosion,(mine is on a mooring not in a marina with shore power) but marine growth is such a problem that I may try an outboard next time. The anti fouling paints for aluminum don't work that well and if you are in a high fouling area it can be bad enough that you will have to pull the boat and clean it every 3 months or so. If you are not in a high fouling area then it is feasible as long as you are diligent about maintenance. I/Os are high maintenance, the highest of all marine propulsion systems. They will NOT forgive a lack of maintenance. Certain items if not checked regularly will cost you dearly (manifolds/risers, bellows, gimble bearing, ujoints). If the bellows leaks on a Merc or Volvo (SX style and newer unlike the older Volvos) it will rust the gimble bearing, ujoints, and let water in the boat. The drive should be taken off once a season to check the bellows, gimble, joints, etc. I do this every year and it has helped me avoid major repairs. Keep in mind also that the sterndrive unit is in the water all the time and if a seal leaks you will get water in the drive which will ruin it eventually if not corrected. This is why I change the gear oil each season and check for water in the oil. If not I store it in the garage for the winter, if so I take it to the mechanic to get it resealed.

I/Os are really common on smaller boats and on smaller cruisers they are the most common propulsion system out there. Probably because they save some space compared to a straight IB or V-drive and are easy for boat manufacturers to install. An outboard is better suited to salt water storage but they can have problems too.

If considering a newer boat Merc's SeaCore system is specifically designed for salt water.
 
My experience was with a an I/O I had for 19 yrs. I bought the boat new in 1991. All of the issues mentioned above were prevented by keeping my boat on a lift. I had an Air Dock and highly recommend it!

My experience was in Delta water, not salt water. Good luck!
 
I kept a 2001 Regal with Volvo SX drives in the water for 4 years but it required constant care to keep the marine growth from imbedding every crevice of the drives. Lots of outdrive paint (not the aerosol paint, the brush on is best) only use the aerosol to access areas you can not reach with a brush. I would pull the boat every 4 weeks in the summer and pressure wash the drives and scrape the excess growth. After that boat, I swore I would never have outdrives in the water at my dock. Be ready for a lot of cleaning or go with a lift or inboards.
 
Personally, I would use a Hydro-Hoist (or clone) type lift if I kept an i/o boat in salt water full time for obvious reasons.

But, just look at any salt water marina and you will easily see plenty of 20+ year old i/o powered boats still floating and being used on a regular basis.

And others that are just sitting there (yet still floating!)...

Rules??? There are no rules...
 
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