If you’d like to learn about the differences between sterndrive and shaft-drive powered vessels, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Ultimately if sterndrives were not invented we would have far fewer vessel designs. Owning a single sterndrive can be much more acceptable cost-wise compared to a twin sterndrive, but it will still cost more than an equivalent shaft-drive.Īllowing all the engines to be mounted to the stern does have it’s design, speed and economical advantages – but they really hurt when it comes to second hand maintenance costs. It’s near impossible to find a shaft-drive boat in the 22-28ft range and they’re usually less manoeuvrable with one engine. Sometimes a price of $20-40k more is asked, but this may also include a diesel. A new Sea Ray in V-Drive is $17,000 as an additional option when new. On the other side of the argument, a shaft-drive boat will usually attract a higher price, but not always. It will be cheaper to get all the work done at the same time, as opposed to bit-by-bit as you will have to pay for slipping each time. These costs will vary depending on the boat design, as some vessels may require floors and seating to be removed to gain access. All of these costs are NOT incorporating any engine work, slipping costs and days on the slipway, which can add up significantly as well. Every boat will be different, and that’s why the labour amount will change. Worst case: 30 Hours $3,300 Labour calculated at $110 per hourĪs you can see, the cost of repairing a sterndrive is predominately parts, but it also includes more labour, because every time you work on the transom the motor needs to be removed. From our experience, we will consider the differences in maintenance considerations at 10-15 years for both shaft-drive and sterndrive.īalance props & rudders $2,000-3,000 for both sides Both boats have 500 hours, and for arguments-sake need some maintenance. One boat is a shaft or V-drive, and the other is a twin sterndrive. Let’s do a comparison using a 15 year old 32ft boat as an example. The distinct advantage is that they’re cheaper and more readily available, having a longer running life.īut what does it cost to swap one of these transom assemblies out? Cost Comparison Now, this isn’t to say that a 15 year old shaft-drive boat wont need any maintenance – there are still numerous parts such as skeg bearings, rudders, bonding straps and seals that wear-out and need to be replaced. So, what about shaft-drives? Are they all bliss? To a certain degree, shaft-drives are a lot less maintenance. The trim can also be adjusted whilst running to help with the correct bow angle you desire for certain conditions. They use less fuel than a shaft-drive, and can be trimmed up in shallow waters, allowing you to beach your boat. Sterndrives are a faster and more efficient design, as they are mounted to the rear and produce less drag. It’s also common to expect between 10-15 years out of a well-used sterndrive and transom assembly, and then it’s a matter of continual repairs or replacing it once and for all. There are going to be some trade-offs in the long term, such as maintenance as they will need to be anti-fouled, and the cleaned internally for barnacle growth. A sterndrive is mass produced and very popular, meaning they cost less initially. Surely, you’d think that would mean they cost more, but not necessarily. With any sterndrive, there are a number of additional parts that live in the water such as bellows, universal joints, steering rods, bushes, transom assemblies and trim rams – which a shaft-drive vessel doesn’t have to worry about. But what does that even mean? Usually they tick all the boxes, having an immaculate interior, generator, and sometimes they’ll even have air-conditioning. When you’re looking at a 30-35ft boat in the $80-120k price bracket, you’re likely going to run into a lot of sterndrive petrol packages. You’ve heard the sterndrive horror stories… thousands spent on repairing transoms and other components – but how does something like this happen?įirst, if you need clarification of what a sterndrive or shaft-drive is, check out one of our first articles here.
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