Problems Found During Winterization

[who4ever]

Hello my Aqua buddies.  My Osprey is shrink wrapped and hibernating, although if I knew it would still be 50 degrees here on Long Island I might not have acted so soon.  Oh well.  I still might play golf today!

I have a 2000 23' dual console Osprey, with a Merc 200.  This was my first year with the boat, in fact it was my first year boating.  When I bought her, I got her surveyed, but didn't know enough to have an engineer go over her.  This is what my marina reported to me after winterization:

1. The driveshaft housing/gearcase alignment pin area is cracked/broken.
2. The engines hydraulic trim piston end cap seals are worn/damaged.
3. The electric/hydraulic trim motor is heavily correded.
4. The propeller hardware is mistatched to the application (no safety tab lock).
5. The hearlube was found to be burnt?
6. Cooling system leak at powerhead gastek and exhaust plate area.

Just thought I would get a heads up from you guys as to the severity of the condtions they found.  Am I looking at lots of bucks, or just average bucks for a boat owner?  Could anyone explain to me what #4 means?

Thanks. Dave

[fitz73222]

Hi Whoforever,

I will try to address each item.

1) As long as the crack has not migrated into an area that will allow water to enter the sealed portion of the gearcase it should not be a problem.

2) It should be leaking trim fluid out of that seal area if it is worn. Unfortunately, I believe the seal kits are no longer available and the entire piston and end cap has to be replaced.

3) It may be heavily corroded but it still works. Not much you can do except replace the whole system which takes care of  item 2

4) There is a star tab washer that the tabs are bent downward to secure the prop nut and prop to keep the nut from coming off. $7.95 for a new washer

5) Change the gearoil. It hasn't been done in a while

6) Have the powerhead pulled and replace the mating gasket. Its actually an easy job to yourself

[who4ever]

Thanks for all the time and answers.  Doesn't sound too bad, I guess.
But what does #4 actually mean?  I couldn't understand the phrasing.

[John Jones]

The silver part here.  Notice on the left a tab bent down to keep the nut from turning.  I think this is a Honda so yours could be slightly different.  Some have a cotter pin instead.

[Capt. Bill]

On the trim and tilt motor. Clean the corrosion as best as you can. Get some Westex epoxy and mix, coat the motor with the epoxy. This will seal out water. Paint it to match the motor and it will by you a couple years. Not a permenant fix but it does work.

[Capt Matt]

Check out your motors zinc's while its out of the water, worn out zinc's will cause the trim motor to corrode.
Capt Matt

[gran398]

Here again...serious money saved. A potential $1400 bill at the boatyard becomes 90 bucks and change, plus backyard sweat equity.

Excellent advice

[who4ever]

Thank you all for your time and informative responses and have a great winter!