On Mon, 20 Aug 2007 12:58:38 -0400, Reginald P. Smithers III penned
the following well considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:

All of this talk about low transoms and cut out transoms, being the
number one reason for outboard motors sinking, made me think about the
number one reason I/O engines sink is due to a failure rubber outdrive boot.

I check the boot annually and whenever I go in the water, but has anyone
seen a recommended life on a I/O. Seaworthy Magazine recommends
changing them every 5 years, but does this include fresh water boats?

My boat is 7 years old, and the boot seems as pliable w/o any visible
cracks what so ever, but I am feeling it might be time to change the
sucker.

Changing it is probably some pretty cheap insurance. Cracks usually
form in the creases, which are not all that easy to asses correctly.

You probably need to inspect every three months and replace at least
every 5 years.... sort of like the cooling impeller.... you don't want
to wait until it *needs* repair to fix it!

--

Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Oak Island, NC.

Homepage
http://pamandgene.idleplay.net/

Rec.boats at Lee Yeaton's Bayguide
http://www.thebayguide.com/rec.boats
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Gene Kearns wrote:
On Mon, 20 Aug 2007 12:58:38 -0400, Reginald P. Smithers III penned
the following well considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:

All of this talk about low transoms and cut out transoms, being the
number one reason for outboard motors sinking, made me think about the
number one reason I/O engines sink is due to a failure rubber outdrive boot.

I check the boot annually and whenever I go in the water, but has anyone
seen a recommended life on a I/O. Seaworthy Magazine recommends
changing them every 5 years, but does this include fresh water boats?

My boat is 7 years old, and the boot seems as pliable w/o any visible
cracks what so ever, but I am feeling it might be time to change the
sucker.

Changing it is probably some pretty cheap insurance. Cracks usually
form in the creases, which are not all that easy to asses correctly.

You probably need to inspect every three months and replace at least
every 5 years.... sort of like the cooling impeller.... you don't want
to wait until it *needs* repair to fix it!


I think you are correct. Has anyone changed the outdrive boot and is it
a DIY'er job or one best left to the pro's.

"Reginald P. Smithers III" wrote
Has anyone changed the outdrive boot and is it a DIY'er job or one best
left to the pro's.

The one I replaced didn't take any particularly special skills, but it did
take several special tools:
http://home.comcast.net/~blizzard3/boat/bellows.htm

On Tue, 21 Aug 2007 19:37:09 -0400, "Ernest Scribbler"
wrote:

"Reginald P. Smithers III" wrote
Has anyone changed the outdrive boot and is it a DIY'er job or one best
left to the pro's.

The one I replaced didn't take any particularly special skills, but it did
take several special tools:
http://home.comcast.net/~blizzard3/boat/bellows.htm


Scroll to the bottom and click on index. This guy writes up his trials and
tribulations pretty well!
--
John H

John H. wrote:
On Tue, 21 Aug 2007 19:37:09 -0400, "Ernest Scribbler"
wrote:

"Reginald P. Smithers III" wrote
Has anyone changed the outdrive boot and is it a DIY'er job or one best
left to the pro's.
The one I replaced didn't take any particularly special skills, but it did
take several special tools:
http://home.comcast.net/~blizzard3/boat/bellows.htm


Scroll to the bottom and click on index. This guy writes up his trials and
tribulations pretty well!

Thanks, and I did notice it was not an easy procedure. It is one i
definitely will pay someone to do.

On Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:58:37 -0400, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Tue, 21 Aug 2007 19:37:09 -0400, "Ernest Scribbler"
wrote:

"Reginald P. Smithers III" wrote
Has anyone changed the outdrive boot and is it a DIY'er job or one best
left to the pro's.
The one I replaced didn't take any particularly special skills, but it did
take several special tools:
http://home.comcast.net/~blizzard3/boat/bellows.htm


Scroll to the bottom and click on index. This guy writes up his trials and
tribulations pretty well!

Thanks, and I did notice it was not an easy procedure. It is one i
definitely will pay someone to do.

Reggie, bring the damn boat up here. We'll put it in the driveway, mess
with it for a couple days, and *then* take it to the shop. Hell, we may
accidentally get it fixed and not even need the shop!
--
John H

John H. wrote:
On Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:58:37 -0400, "Reginald P. Smithers III"
wrote:

John H. wrote:
On Tue, 21 Aug 2007 19:37:09 -0400, "Ernest Scribbler"
wrote:

"Reginald P. Smithers III" wrote
Has anyone changed the outdrive boot and is it a DIY'er job or one best
left to the pro's.
The one I replaced didn't take any particularly special skills, but it did
take several special tools:
http://home.comcast.net/~blizzard3/boat/bellows.htm

Scroll to the bottom and click on index. This guy writes up his trials and
tribulations pretty well!
Thanks, and I did notice it was not an easy procedure. It is one i
definitely will pay someone to do.

Reggie, bring the damn boat up here. We'll put it in the driveway, mess
with it for a couple days, and *then* take it to the shop. Hell, we may
accidentally get it fixed and not even need the shop!

It would cost me at least a $1000 to get it up there.

Ernest Scribbler wrote:
"Reginald P. Smithers III" wrote
Has anyone changed the outdrive boot and is it a DIY'er job or one best
left to the pro's.

The one I replaced didn't take any particularly special skills, but it did
take several special tools:
http://home.comcast.net/~blizzard3/boat/bellows.htm


Ernest,
Thanks for the great link and write up. I think it goes beyond my skills.

"Reginald P. Smithers III" wrote in message
. ..
Ernest Scribbler wrote:
"Reginald P. Smithers III" wrote
Has anyone changed the outdrive boot and is it a DIY'er job or one best
left to the pro's.

The one I replaced didn't take any particularly special skills, but it
did take several special tools:
http://home.comcast.net/~blizzard3/boat/bellows.htm
Ernest,
Thanks for the great link and write up. I think it goes beyond my skills.


Keep in mind - he is replacing the bearing and everything. To replace the
bellows, you only need to remove the outdrive - you can then change the
bellows from underneath. Your choice, like I sai it can be a pain, but it
you enjoy working on things - it is not too bad. If you don't like the
challenge - deffinately take it to someone to do for you.