Hey guys I trying to get my boat ready for the season but this year i'm not in a rush to get it in so... I want to take my outdrives off and sand them down really well and get them all smooth and repaint them so they look good. I'm starting to get some bubbling from the salt water so I want to try and due this, but I have never removed a drive before and was trying to see if there is a DIY write up somewhere with pics etc.

Boat Info: 1989 Formula 272 w/t454's and bravo one drives. Any help would be great.Thanks

The boat in question:

I just removed my bravo 1 drive myself, for the first time. I think there are six nuts that secure the drive to the gimbal housing. The gear shifter must be in the forward position. Once the nuts are loosened and removed, the drive came right off. I think the whole process took about twenty five minutes. I have not re-installed mine yet so i can't comment. You should not need a re-allignment tool if the motor is not manipulated. I've only removed one, but it was simple. Good luck!

First, have some help supporting it or a drive stand , thats adjustable. It doesn't have to be in forward, thats for an Alpha. Remove the trim cylinders, both ends it will be easier for you. Remove the 6 bolts, keep the drive level, slide it back, remove the shift cable on the stbd side. Pull the drive offand watch your fingers on the front edge, the input shaft my fall down and damage your fingers. Thats about it, it's pretty simple unless the engine is out of alignment, you'll know it won't slide back, then it's careful prying. If thats the case, it will be real hard to align the engine up, the splines will be pointed and the alignment tool will not slide in. That then will require a new coupler. There's alot more than just pulling a drive off and putting it back on, if you haven't done it before. Just some upfront warning and what to look for.

If all goes well, not much harder than changing a tire. I have an old Racing tire I throw under the skeg, with a small piece of plywood across it. Not really heavy(about 130Lbs), but it is a handful, awkward. Taking it off for paint is easy, it is just getting back on with out messing up the new pretty paint. From the school of hard knocks, I also say take the trim cylinders off on both ends. You might want to remove them early and see if your trim pivot shaft is corrode to the drive.
Jim