To enjoy the benefits of joy stick steering and the maneuverability afforded by pods, it is important to keep up with off-season pod maintenance. Winter is when our technicians inspect, clean, service, and paint this critical running gear. With removal, techs are able to inspect shafts, seals, and crucial parts, as well as clean parts, easily test and change oil, and reseal hull-to-pod openings. When service is complete, a protective coating is applied to prevent fouling and ensure efficiency and proper functionality.

Some boat owners elect annual pod service, as a preventative maintenance measure, while others opt for service only following a problematic oil analysis. A milky sample, for example, indicates there is water in the oil.

Unfortunately, pods are vulnerable to seal failure. Striking submerged objects, or picking up pot warp that wraps tightly and cuts into the seals, can allow water to get where it should not be. A scored shaft can also cause damage and allow water to penetrate. Once water gets into a pod, it must be cleaned and inspected for corrosion, before the seal is replaced. Since pods are attached to larger systems, these also need to be checked for potentially transferred damages.