Hello, I have an Oday 28 that had its OMC saildrive ripped out and replaced by a previous owner. I would like to get rid of the outboard and replace with a Beta. The oday had options for saildrive and shaft drive engines. Mine is a centerboard version with a displacement of 7300lbs. and a beam of 10'3" and lenth on waterline of 22'11". Any recommendations? What would be a ball park figure of cost?
Yes, there is a doughnut ring in the fiberglass where the old saildrive was. Glassed over. My concern with your saildrive version is corrosion. The OMC was notorious for rotting out the leg. Is the saildrive a pull every year maintaince sort of thing. I currently pull every two years for bottom paint.
The OMC Sail Drive did not have a stellar reputation regarding corrosion. I do not know how much of this was related to improper maintenance or poor metals. I suspect both.
The Beta Sail Drive is an aluminum drive leg submersed in sea water. The maintenance is no different then any other aluminum drive unit submersed in sea water. They must be inspected and the zinc replaced at least once a year.
Provided that you are not in a hot marina or have faulty grounds on the vessel, corrosion can be kept at bay with proper maintenance. Shaft drive vessels should have yearly maintenance and inspections also.
The original OMC Sail Drive "doughnut ring" can be removed and replaced with the Beta fiberglass mount.
I have the same situation but on a Victoria 26. My mounting bed is also in the boat. I might have a height issue with the Beta mount being too tall. How much of the mounting bed can be trimmed off? I guess I need to know what is the minimum engine height I could get by with for the Beta 14?
The saildrive bed is a wasting part in that it has to be cut down to fit the boats hull. Realistically you will need 21.25" (540mm) from the hull to fit the engine but you must still allow for access above that so that you can fill the coolant and oil.
I can email the saildrive installation manual to you but cannot post it on this forum as it doesn't accept pdf files.
Email would be great. The engine compartment actually opens from the ****pit so getting it in is no problem, just when it has to close. I would like to get the manual and I'll send a pic to show you what I have.
