Stern Drive, winterize

T

TMK988

New Member
Sep 17, 2009
118
Lloyd Harbor, NY
Boat Info
290 Sundancer 2006
Engines
Mercruiser
How important is it, when winterizing, to have the stern drive taken off. I am purchasing an '06 290 with 170 hours and will be taking it right into storage. One of the marina's is offering the following service for close to $750 for both units: OUTDRIVE SERVICE: Remove, clean, storage, service water pump, pressure check, spring installation). Do you all feel that this is necessary?
Thank you.
 
Thanks Derek. I'm not sure, I'm buying the boat used and haven't taken possession of it yet. How often should this be done?
 
If you don't know the history of the boat then it's a good idea to service the drive. You might want to do the water pump every other year after that. I boat on thr south shore of LI and I know that's pretty much the rule of thumb down here.
The price sounds about right. That's about what my guy was charging me.
Prior to this year I kept it in a boatyard and he required that I let him do all the winterization as part of the overall deal. This year I'm keeping it on a little piece of peoperty I bought and will be doing it myself.
Pulling the drive and servicing it are not that hard and will save you a pile of money if you do it yourself. The key is to have someone with you to help you handle it becuase of the size and weight, and have a good stand to store and service it on.
I just ordered a couple of metal stands on wheels for my drives.
 
I agree that's a good idea to do it. At least that way you're starting fresh.

Here's a solid drive stand, on the cheap:

Build an "H" out of 2x8's. The two sides about 18" long. Then cut (2) more pieces 16" long for the center of the H. Space them no more than 1" apart so the skeg can drop in between. Add 4 wheels from the hardware store and you're good to go! I actually used the wheels off of a scooter (the kind you used to play with in PE class).
 
TMK988 said:
How important is it, when winterizing, to have the stern drive taken off. I am purchasing an '06 290 with 170 hours and will be taking it right into storage. One of the marina's is offering the following service for close to $750 for both units: OUTDRIVE SERVICE: Remove, clean, storage, service water pump, pressure check, spring installation). Do you all feel that this is necessary?
Thank you.
Click to expand...
That boat has bravos so the impeller is not in the drive - will they still service the engine mounted pump for the same $750? (doubt it) I would do it this year and every other year thereafter - of course change the fluid every year
 
Lazy Daze said:
I agree that's a good idea to do it. At least that way you're starting fresh.

Here's a solid drive stand, on the cheap:

Build an "H" out of 2x8's. The two sides about 18" long. Then cut (2) more pieces 16" long for the center of the H. Space them no more than 1" apart so the skeg can drop in between. Add 4 wheels from the hardware store and you're good to go! I actually used the wheels off of a scooter (the kind you used to play with in PE class).
Click to expand...

Do you have a pic of the stand?

Im not quite understanding what it looks like by that info.


EDIT: Nevermind ..... just did a google image search and found some pics to get ideas from.

I have a hydraulic motorcycle lift that i dont use to often and can probably convert that into a stand with lift capability.
 
Last edited:
CAGE RATTLER said:
I have a hydraulic motorcycle lift that i dont use to often and can probably convert that into a stand with lift capability.
Click to expand...

That's probably be just about perfect! All you'd need is to add a "forklift" type set up to it to slide under the cavitation plate. Be sure to clamp the trailing, aft, end of the plate down so the drive doesn't tip forward. Or, build a slot into the forklift arms for the plate to slide into. That could be as easy as cutting a groove into the 2" side of 2x4's with a table saw.
 
Great idea on drive stand. I wish I had space to do this myself but since mine are on a lift I always punt drive service to someone else except for fluid and zinc change (although zincs never wear out in fresh water on a lift).

John
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,259
Messages
1,429,520
Members
61,136
Latest member
Gforce lll
Back
Top