What does everyone think of the new lower units that they are putting
on the new boats now. They are essentially an outboard lower unit
attached to the inboard diesel. In sail magazine a few months back they
raved about them as they saved some interior room, and provided better
thrust, but my concern in their maintenance load over the lift of the
boat and the fact that if anything goes wrong, you essentially have to
haul the boat to repair.

My primary experience has been with outboards and I have had to have a
lower unit repaired as the seals leaked. With a traditional
configuration the transmission is inside the boat with only a
seal/thrust bearing and the shaft and prop outside of the hull.

We are considering a Catalina 320 that has this and this is about the
only thing about the boat that gives me pause.

"Ray" wrote in message oups.com...
What does everyone think of the new lower units that they are putting
on the new boats now. They are essentially an outboard lower unit
attached to the inboard diesel. In sail magazine a few months back they
raved about them as they saved some interior room, and provided better
thrust, but my concern in their maintenance load over the lift of the
boat and the fact that if anything goes wrong, you essentially have to
haul the boat to repair.

My primary experience has been with outboards and I have had to have a
lower unit repaired as the seals leaked. With a traditional
configuration the transmission is inside the boat with only a
seal/thrust bearing and the shaft and prop outside of the hull.

We are considering a Catalina 320 that has this and this is about the
only thing about the boat that gives me pause.


Too unreliable IMHO.

Several issues involved.

1) corrosion and galvanic action
2) special antifouling paint
3) danger of leaks around thru hull area gasket
4) seals prone to leaks if fishing line, etc. gets into them
5) necessary to haul to change gear oil
6) danger of severe damage if lifting strap not properly placed
7) tendency to transmit engine vibration to hull

CN

Neal the Usenet Nazi wrote: "Zu unzuverlässig IMHO.

Mehrere Ausgaben haben verwickelt.

1) Korrosion und galvanische Einwirkung 2) besondere antifouling Farbe 3)
Gefahr von Lecke um thru Rumpf
Gebiet Dichtung 4) abdichtet veranlagt zu Lecken, wenn Linie fischend,
erhält usw. in sie 5) notwendig zu
schleppen, Gangöl 6 zu ändern) Gefahr schweren Schadens, wenn Riemen nicht
ordentlich aufhebend, 7) Tendenz
hat gestellt, Maschinenvibration zu Rumpf zu senden"

And once again, no paid attention to him.


The Catalina 320 is a fun little boat. I have quite a few hundred miles on
them. Sailing throughout the Great Lakes extensively, and the west coast of
Florida, down to the keys, out to the Dry Tortugas a couple of times. Where
are you sailing your 320?


--
Captain Lon

All your base are belong to us.



"Capt. Neal®" wrote in message
...

"Ray" wrote in message
oups.com...
What does everyone think of the new lower units that they are putting
on the new boats now. They are essentially an outboard lower unit
attached to the inboard diesel. In sail magazine a few months back they
raved about them as they saved some interior room, and provided better
thrust, but my concern in their maintenance load over the lift of the
boat and the fact that if anything goes wrong, you essentially have to
haul the boat to repair.

My primary experience has been with outboards and I have had to have a
lower unit repaired as the seals leaked. With a traditional
configuration the transmission is inside the boat with only a
seal/thrust bearing and the shaft and prop outside of the hull.

We are considering a Catalina 320 that has this and this is about the
only thing about the boat that gives me pause.

Not exactly new. I think they are fine and they
take up little space.

Now for something new:

http://www.mby.com/auto/newsdesk/200...42mbynews.html


"Ray" wrote in message
oups.com...
What does everyone think of the new lower units that they are putting
on the new boats now. They are essentially an outboard lower unit
attached to the inboard diesel. In sail magazine a few months back they
raved about them as they saved some interior room, and provided better
thrust, but my concern in their maintenance load over the lift of the
boat and the fact that if anything goes wrong, you essentially have to
haul the boat to repair.

My primary experience has been with outboards and I have had to have a
lower unit repaired as the seals leaked. With a traditional
configuration the transmission is inside the boat with only a
seal/thrust bearing and the shaft and prop outside of the hull.

We are considering a Catalina 320 that has this and this is about the
only thing about the boat that gives me pause.