Cost effectiveness: new prop shaft or new lower drive?

[jumpjets]

I have a bent prop shaft. It doesn't leak at all, and it works just fine, but I'm sure it will fail eventually. The skeg is also erroded on the lower drive.

What would be more cost effective repair wise: having a certified mechanic install a fresh prop shaft and all associated bearings and seals, or just get a remanufactured lower drive unit and install it myself in my backyard?

I don't feel comfortable installing a new prop shaft myself. I go out on the atlantic frequently, and I can't have my backyard mechanic repair work fail with passengers on board.

Additionally, while my boat has performed flawlessly all summer, I need to winterize it and store it soon in prep for my deployment to afghanistan. I'm considering having it professionally winterized by a mechanic, so he can go over it's systems and tell me what else might need attention prior to next summer. I know the mechanic will give me long list of minor gripes to fix, but I can sift through it and pick the gripes that are important and possibly fix them myself.

Is this cost effective, or would I just be throwing money away on something I can do myself?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Cost effectiveness: new prop shaft or new lower drive?

What would be more cost effective repair wise: having a certified mechanic install a fresh prop shaft and all associated bearings and seals, or just get a remanufactured lower drive unit and install it myself in my backyard?

Ayuh,... The cost of a brand new SEI lower unit will be danm close to what you'll pay to just replace the propshaft, let alone rebuilding the lower unit...

 

[jumpjets]

Re: Cost effectiveness: new prop shaft or new lower drive?

Ayuh,... The cost of a brand new SEI lower unit will be danm close to what you'll pay to just replace the propshaft, let alone rebuilding the lower unit...

I just checked out SEI's website, and it looks stellar. I think I'll get one of thier SEI106 lower drives and install it at the beginning of next summer.

What do you think about having a mechanic winterize it vs. doing it myself?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Cost effectiveness: new prop shaft or new lower drive?

What do you think about having a mechanic winterize it vs. doing it myself?

Only you can answer that. How comfortable do you feel with mechanical work? It's not that difficult of a job.

 

[jumpjets]

Re: Cost effectiveness: new prop shaft or new lower drive?

Only you can answer that. How comfortable do you feel with mechanical work? It's not that difficult of a job.

I used to be a mechanic for both GM and toyota, so I know my way around an automotive engine bay.

I've read about winterizing, and I think I could do it myself no problem. What I am weary about is overall system health. I would love to have a marine mechanic look/listen to the boat just to check and see if I have any critical safety problems. The boat has performed flawlessly all summer, but I'd hate to have a well worn steering or shifter linkage let loose on the atlantic ocean next summer. I don't know enough to find a worn linkage, but a mechanic would.

On the other hand, if I bring a 21 year old boat to a mechanic, he might have a field day and tell me I need $10k worth of worthless work.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Cost effectiveness: new prop shaft or new lower drive?

Sounds like you are pretty comfortable with the mechanics of it all but would like to have some experienced eyes go over it - sounds reasonable to me. Talk to a few techs in your area - find one that doesn't mind you leaning over his shoulder while he works.

Just explain - when something happens - it'll be 20miles out and you won't be available to get me back - I would like to be more familiar with how everything works together. You'll get a better response than I want to learn to this so I don't have to pay you next year.....
You might find someone willing to do it on the side - probably work a slower pace and spend more time explaining things in detail.

Good luck...