Short answer: Harbor Marine repairs sterndrives and outdrives for Alpharetta boat owners at our Buford shop, including bellows, gimbal bearings, U-joints, seals, trim and props. Call (770) 967-8495.
The part that takes the hits
On most of the runabouts, bowriders and cruisers that Alpharetta families take to Lake Lanier, the sterndrive is the lowest point on the boat. It finds shallow water, sandbars, stumps and the end of the ramp before anything else does. It also carries all the engine's power through a set of rubber boots, bearings and joints that wear with time.
That makes the drive one of the most common repairs on lake boats, and one of the best places to spend a little on prevention.
Signs your drive needs a look
- A clunk or grind when shifting.
- A growl or rumble at low speed.
- Vibration that was not there before.
- Milky gear oil, or oil on the ground under the drive.
- Slow or jerky trim and tilt.
- Cracks in the bellows.
Bellows, U-joints and gimbal bearings
The bellows are rubber boots that seal the drive where it passes through the transom. When they crack, water reaches the U-joints and the gimbal bearing, which then rust and wear fast. A badly failed bellows can even let water into the boat. Rubber ages on the calendar, so a boat that only goes out a few times a year still needs them checked every season.
After a strike
If the drive hit something, look at the prop first, then check for vibration, a change in how the boat shifts or water in the gear oil. A bent prop is the easy part. A hard strike can also bend the prop shaft, damage gears or crack the housing. It is worth a look before the next trip, because running a damaged drive can turn a small job into a big one.
Shop work in Buford
Drive repairs happen at our shop at 6516 Lanier Islands Parkway in Buford. Alpharetta owners with trailer boats can tow it over and leave it on the trailer, which makes pulling the drive simpler. For boats in a Lanier slip, the boat needs to come out of the water. If you need help with that, ask about boat transport in Alpharetta.
Seasonal drive care
A drive inspection is a good fit for the end of the season, when the boat comes out for winter. That leaves time to order parts and finish the work before spring. At the start of the season, check the bellows, gear oil and prop before the first trip.
Corrosion and anodes
Drives are made of aluminum, and aluminum corrodes when it sits in water with other metals nearby. Sacrificial anodes protect the drive by wearing away first. On a boat kept in a slip all season, check the anodes and replace them when they are about half gone. Chipped paint on the drive should be touched up before corrosion spreads.
What affects a drive repair
Pricing is set when you call for a quote. These are the things that change the size of the job:
- The drive model and its age.
- How much is worn beyond the bellows.
- Damage from a strike.
- Parts availability.
Trim and tilt on a trailer boat
Owners who launch every trip raise and lower the drive constantly. If it moves slowly, jerks, or creeps down on the trailer, the trim pump, fluid or rams may need attention. Use a transom support on the road if the drive maker calls for one.
Related and nearby
While the boat is at the shop, have us look at the engine through engine repair in Alpharetta. If a strike also damaged the hull, our Alpharetta gel coat repair team can fix it in the same visit.
Up GA 400, we also cover drive repair in Cumming, and to the east, in Suwanee. For boats kept in the water, see drive repair on Lake Lanier, and if you are near our shop, see Buford. Our Alpharetta boat repair page lists everything we do for owners in town, and the main service page covers the details. You can always reach us here.