Blown V-drive

[Shooter]

I'm looking at a 01 SANTE with 500 HRS & a blown V-drive. The V-drive is not so much my concern (I have a price to fix it), but do you thinks it’s a sign of other future problems? I assume the 500 hours are probably all heavy work hours (weighted down riding sessions and not cruzing at idle). Is V-drive problems common with a 01? I don’t mind some maintenance, but I don’t want to buy a money pit to save a few bucks on the purchase cost.

[DanielC]

RE: Blown V-drive

First blown V-drive I have heard of, but be wary. Why did the V-drive blow?

[DavidF]

RE: Blown V-drive

I bet it ran dry of oil..they tend to leak. I also bet you are correct to assume 500 hard hours. Do a compression check and if ok, it might make you feel a little better about the purchase. You will never know for sure...sometimes you just have to take the plunge.

[Dallas]

RE: Blown V-drive

Check the history of the boat and its owners. If it has ever had a sudden stoppage, ie the prop hit something, it could have been damaged then. This is one of the reasons I don't use SS props. Brass gives when you wack something vs tranfering all that energy to the transmission. Props are a lot cheaper than a VDrive. Sorry about the rambling.

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Blown V-drive

Anyone who puts a SS prop on these boats is clearly out of their minds.
I have not heard of many Vdrive problems. Make sure the sensor is working properly, or just replace it. It should light up the alarm long before there is ever any sort of danger with the oil level. I would verify the history of the boat as best you can, but they are pretty durable and I do not feel that is a reason to not buy the boat if everything else is as it should be on a boat with 500 hours.