fuel economy

[Fr. Frank]

Regular maintenance of the sterndrive unit isn't too difficult. This is annual stuff should be done once a year OR every 100 hours of use, whichever comes first. For some people it's more often than once a year, for others 100 hrs takes years to reach. If that's you, use the annual service interval rather than the 100 hr interval.
This doesn't include the engine maintenance, this is just drive and drive operation maintenance.

• Lower unit oil change
• Replace water pump impeller
• shift/exhaust bellows check, no cracks and soft to the touch(Change every 5 yrs or 500 hrs.)
• Check all clamps on hoses and bellows
• Check sacrificial anodes. (always have 6 anodes)
• Check trim hoses and trim cylinder seals
• grease steering linkage
• Grease driveshaft coupler
• Grease u-joints
• Grease gimbal ring/transom mount
• Grease propeller shaft and re-torque prop to 55-60 lbs
• Spray steering rod and linkage with anti-corrosion coating (like Fluid Film)

When I managed marinas, I expected a mechanic to perform a complete standard annual sterndrive service, (that's engine, transom group and drive), in under 4 hours, and many performed the service in under 3. I wasn't/am not a mechanic, and I usually took about 4-5 hours to do the same service for friends and family. One of the biggest factors in service is accessibility, though. I'm now fat and older, and can't fit into some of those tiny spaces