Outdrive Sealant

[EZDuzIt]

Just got my boat back from the shop and was told my outdrive seal on the transom is becoming hard. I asked if I could just use some good marine grade sealant as properly resealing it requires complete outdrive removal which isn't an inexpensive job. They said I could at least in the short term. Has anybody had luck simply using a sealant to reseal their outdrive with a marine grade sealant? Which sealant would be the best to use? Cheers.

 

[Scott Danforth]

transom seals last the life of the boat, and usually longer than that.

if you have a leak, you have a transom issue.

 

[EZDuzIt]

It's not leaking but they just mentioned the seal was reaching the end of its life. Boat is 46 years old. Things wear out. Just wondering if I can use some sort of sealant as a precaution and what's the best one to use.

 

[Scott Danforth]

seal reached the end of its life 31 years ago.

there is no good sealant, however a very find bead of silly-cone would work until you can spend the hour to pull the drive , pull the motor motor and then pull the transom shield.

 

[EZDuzIt]

seal reached the end of its life 31 years ago.

there is no good sealant, however a very find bead of silly-cone would work until you can spend the hour to pull the drive , pull the motor motor and then pull the transom shield.

That's just it. I'm too banged up to do that kind of work anymore and labor costs have gone through the roof.

 

[Baylinerchuck]

3M 5200 Marine Sealant, Loctite PL Marine Quick cure sealant would do the job…..albeit not a permanent fix. Stay away from silicon.

 

[Scott Danforth]

5200 is not UV stable and will fail in sunlight

 

[Baylinerchuck]

I can’t imagine the gimbal housing and that part of the transom see much UV. 3M does make a 4000 UV that’s UV stable if that’s a concern. A lot of times the leak forms from the through bolts rotting the transom, so either way, I doubt sealing around the gimbal housing will help much. But there are sealants out there is the OP chooses to go that route.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Is it actually leaking around the transom shield? If not, I'd be inclined to leave it alone.

 

[airshot]

If you choose to shortcut this repair with a temporary fix, be sure you carry extra life jackets for your passengers so they have a chance when things go bad.....

 

[EZDuzIt]

If you choose to shortcut this repair with a temporary fix, be sure you carry extra life jackets for your passengers so they have a chance when things go bad.....

I always without fail have life jackets for all passengers. Not only is it simply my responsibility to keep my passengers safe but it's also the law.