Zeus System on a 44 Sundancer

Wondering if anyone here has looked into the "scheduled" maintenance requirements of the pod drives.
Since it's an underwater gearcase, what about shaft seals? How often do they need to be serviced/replaced?
What if you pick up a hank of monofilament and destroy the gearcase seal as could happen with an I/O or outboard?
I believe the pod is sealed to the bottom of the hull with a big rubber gasket. What's the lifespan of this, and what is the cost to pull the pods and replace them?

Finally, transmissions fail- and I'm sure the pod drives do as well. What does a new pod drive cost vs. a typical diesel transmission?

It IS a really slick system- but I've never seen a discussion on their maintenance requirements. Inquiring minds want to know...
 
tobnpr said:
Wondering if anyone here has looked into the "scheduled" maintenance requirements of the pod drives.
Since it's an underwater gearcase, what about shaft seals? How often do they need to be serviced/replaced?
What if you pick up a hank of monofilament and destroy the gearcase seal as could happen with an I/O or outboard?
I believe the pod is sealed to the bottom of the hull with a big rubber gasket. What's the lifespan of this, and what is the cost to pull the pods and replace them?

Finally, transmissions fail- and I'm sure the pod drives do as well. What does a new pod drive cost vs. a typical diesel transmission?

It IS a really slick system- but I've never seen a discussion on their maintenance requirements. Inquiring minds want to know...
Click to expand...

I talked with Mercury engineers at the Miami Boat show and at MarineMax and was told the lower section pod replacement cost is about $10K sans labor. They said these are designed to shear off and not allow water entry into the boat and be easy to replace.

Good question about maintaince. The seal to the hull fixture is a very thick and wide rubber looking material. I don't think this would require regular replacement, however the shaft seals might...probably similar to the outdrive seals.

I asked if these pods were going to replace outdrives and they said probably not because the pods are more expensive.
 
mawyatt said:
I talked with Mercury engineers at the Miami Boat show and at MarineMax and was told the lower section pod replacement cost is about $10K sans labor. They said these are designed to shear off and not allow water entry into the boat and be easy to replace.

Good question about maintaince. The seal to the hull fixture is a very thick and wide rubber looking material. I don't think this would require regular replacement, however the shaft seals might...probably similar to the outdrive seals.

I asked if these pods were going to replace outdrives and they said probably not because the pods are more expensive.
Click to expand...

I wonder if the pod is designed to survive a shear off as well, assuming it was recovered it could be reattached for labor + some new bolts gasket and flange or something...
 
Kameroo said:
I asked my dealer that very question, and he said not to worry as they have a 6-year warranty.
Click to expand...


Now that is funny. So six and one half years from now the clutch goes out...I do not know, nor claim to know, but all of the intentional clutch slippage seems to me to be planned obsolescence. I understand the concept of wear and tear, but deliberate clutch slipping seems to be another matter to me...

So I have the boat for lets say three years, the clutch is replaced under warranty, does my warranty start for a new six years?

This might be an alright system, but like others have mentioned, I would have a few questions.
 
Hey Guys,

I just purchased a 2008 31 SunDancer in June of this year w/ Axius which is the gas equivalent to the Zeus system. Mercruiser changed out my lower outdrives to a heavy duty unit, they felt that with all the gear changes the normal unit could break down. I have been told that they have a few years history with the Axius system and I checked my warranty paper work and you only have a 2 years on the system. of course you can purchase a extended warranty. Which I plan to do next year!, the system is unbelievable. She handles like a dream an docking has not been a problem as they stated. I don't have Sky Hook yet. They seem to have some legal problems but it should be cleared up in a few months. The best is when you come down your Marina Diagionally and just back into your slip. Since June I have put on 50 hours on the unit. My wife now pilots the boat and docks it without any fear. How good is my life!

If you have any questions about the system I will be glad to answer them?
 
Last edited:
Donald46 said:
Hey Guys,

I just purchased a 2008 31 SunDancer in June of this year w/ Axius which is the gas equivalent to the Zeus system.
Click to expand...

Not really. Axius is stern drives, they're just made to be individually articulating. Zeus is a pod drive system- whole 'nother animal.
 
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