2001 Bayliner Capri 215, 5.0 Mercruiser I/O. Alpha One, Gen 2:
For grins and giggles, I have a question for you stern drive Gurus that I've been pondering. I've scoured the internet and can't seem to find a definitive answer...
I was curious how long could you 'reasonably' expect the bellows to last?
My boat is 23 years old (all original) but has very low hours (234). She's been sitting since around 2017. I have always stored it with the drive DOWN, covered and out of the sun. It's been in salt water only a few times but always rinsed afterwards. My boat has spent 99% of its life in fresh water.
All rubber eventually breaks down no matter if you use it or not. In a perfect climate controlled situation, a car tire (for example) may last 7-8 years before cracking typically shows up. I'm not sure how the bellows are constructed compared to other rubber or their expected lifespan. Some say 10-20 years, some say even longer. Salt water environments obviously wreaks havoc a lot sooner.
The bellows on mine look great, but I'm anal on preventative maintenance. Many years ago, a friend's boat sank while it was moored for the winter due to a cracked shift cable bellows, so that is always in the back of my mind. And NO.. I don't moor mine! It's always trailered.
.
If the bellows break on the water, it isn't something you can simply pull over and call a tow truck. And you KNOW you're going to be out in the middle of the lake when it happens! LOL!
Thanks,
For grins and giggles, I have a question for you stern drive Gurus that I've been pondering. I've scoured the internet and can't seem to find a definitive answer...
I was curious how long could you 'reasonably' expect the bellows to last?
My boat is 23 years old (all original) but has very low hours (234). She's been sitting since around 2017. I have always stored it with the drive DOWN, covered and out of the sun. It's been in salt water only a few times but always rinsed afterwards. My boat has spent 99% of its life in fresh water.
All rubber eventually breaks down no matter if you use it or not. In a perfect climate controlled situation, a car tire (for example) may last 7-8 years before cracking typically shows up. I'm not sure how the bellows are constructed compared to other rubber or their expected lifespan. Some say 10-20 years, some say even longer. Salt water environments obviously wreaks havoc a lot sooner.
The bellows on mine look great, but I'm anal on preventative maintenance. Many years ago, a friend's boat sank while it was moored for the winter due to a cracked shift cable bellows, so that is always in the back of my mind. And NO.. I don't moor mine! It's always trailered.
.If the bellows break on the water, it isn't something you can simply pull over and call a tow truck. And you KNOW you're going to be out in the middle of the lake when it happens! LOL!
Thanks,
