Section 03
Propulsion & drives
Shaft drives, saildrives, sterndrives, pods and waterjets, gearboxes and propellers.
06Marine Propulsion TypesCompare shaft drive, saildrive, sterndrive, pod and waterjet propulsion on cost, maintenance, corrosion and handling for Australian boats.07Shaft Drive SystemsHow a marine shaft drive works, from coupling and alignment to stern gland and cutless bearing, plus the wear that causes vibration and leaks.08Saildrive SystemsHow yacht and catamaran saildrives work, why the aluminium leg and hull diaphragm need specific care, and the owner checks that prevent damage.09Saildrive vs Shaft DriveCompare saildrive and shaft-drive yacht propulsion for efficiency, maintenance, corrosion, leaks, cost and offshore cruising.10Sterndrive SystemsHow sterndrive (inboard-outboard) propulsion works, plus the bellows, trim, cooling and corrosion maintenance that decides how long a leg lasts.11Pod Drives, IPS and WaterjetsHow pod drives, IPS and waterjets move a boat, what they cost in maintenance and haul-out access, and where each layout genuinely makes sense.12Marine Gearboxes and Reduction RatiosHow a marine gearbox works, what reduction ratio means for propeller choice, and the oil, control and cooling checks that catch failures early.13Marine Propellers ExplainedUnderstand propeller diameter, pitch, blades, gearing, cavitation, folding props and their effect on marine diesel performance.