I'll be checking out some used rigs in the area and several of them are Pro-Drive powered. I know plenty about the power heads and general things about the lower unit but what are some specifics to really check out before pulling the trigger on one? I know you guys who have owned them would know more than me. I've been around a few but never owned one myself.

Make sure if it has reverse that it will go into reverse.

tower bushing slack

Try and find out if the previous owner traded it for a Gatortail. Then you will know what your next move will be.

I really don't get the need for someone to have something smartass to say in EVERY thread. And since you had to insert your comment, the guy is getting rid of it to buy another bass boat. Doesn't hunt much anymore so he doesn't need it. Is that a satisfactory fucking answer for the hate brigade?


With that being said, the unit has about 200hrs on it. What should have been done to it by this point and what should be a red flag if it's already been done....

If it's ever been underwater!!!!!!!!!

Make sure to look at the reverse ram as well as trim ram to make sure they are not leaking.

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Are you window lickers done?

I'm asking for serious input, please quit Africanizing my thread. I know what I want. I'm simply trying to go about getting it in the best educated manner.

-thanks quack- any usual places that hoses rub or chafe to look for?

I would just check for general wear on the hydro hoses. My boat is 5 years old and I just changed my hydro hoses. Check fuel lines. Maybe take it to a dealer before u buy it so they can give it a once over.

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I guess if there's something there that I would like investigated further I could, there are dealers not all that far away. Just for general condition of bearings, seals, leak-down, shaft play, etc, I can handle all that. I've been a mechanic by trade for the last ten or so yrs. on all sorts of vehicles and equipment. Turning a wrench isn't a problem

Crawl up under the boat and make sure it don't look like a washboard.

How old is it?
Mine is a 07 and has a gear oil lower unit.
-It also has the older style prop seal nut. Not a bad thing, but the nwere seal nut has 3 seals, the older, 2 seals. Very easy to replace and it was free from PD for the upgrade. reason I say this is because if the seal nut leaked, water would get into the lower unit and the grease would leak out the top by the clutch. You would have to change the seals, and replace the gear oil.

-I have never changed my clutch since 07

-Prop wear. Depends if he ran hard sandy bottoms or not. The prop should be around 12" or more with 200 hrs if he didn't run sandy bottoms. mine is at 11 3/4 and is in need of a new one ($250)

-Tower bushing slack. With the motor bolted on the transom, grab the skeg just below the prop and try to move the lower unit back and forth. If it moves excessively, the bushing will need to be replaced.

-Hydraulic hoses are cheap. If they appear to be somewhat in bad shape, a hydraulic hos for the power trim unit is about $15. (at least a the hydro hose shop by my house)

-just overall appearance, normally you can tell if people take care of their shit.

Take a 1/4" and 3/8" allen wrench with you. Crank it and engage the clutch to let it stir up the gear oil. Expect some clattering of the gears when engaged out of the water, that's normal for the most part. Let it run for a couple minutes in gear, you could even hold the throttle up to really stir it up and make sure the seals don't leak. Turn it off and then pop out the upper plug on the side of the gear box (1/4") and check the gear oil for water. Pop out the tower plugs (3/8") and see if there's good grease in there and if the top tower bearing grease zerk looks like it's been greased. Make sure there aren't any cracks in the skeg or cavitation plates where they bolt to the main. These would be the major things I would look for on/in the LU. As far as grease, the nastier it is with grease, the better. haha. You can always strip it down, clean it out and regrease everything.

08 model. Around 200hrs.

Great info so far guys. I appreciate it.