Gents,<br /><br />Your help is needed and greatly appreciated. I am anti-mechanical, so please explain it in lamens terms if applicable.<br /><br />Recently fishing for striper on Texoma, I was coming back to dock from our fishing spot when it felt like we hit something. The engine kept running, but the engine felt like it fell into the water. It was shaking, but not moving so I shut it down. Luckily, I got a tow from a nice couple. I would have never made it across without their help.<br /><br />I took it to Plano Marine. They indicated that there was a ton of lower unit problems and they couldn't get it striped down. Evidently, part of the gears somehow got lodged in the bolt that you have to loosen to get to the problem. Since we hit something, I turned it in on insurance. Unfortunately, they will not cover it-stating that it is a mechanical failure. <br /><br />Without knowledge of engines, I am not sure what to do at this point. Plano Marine indicated replacing the entire lower unit was the only option, but that means putting $4200 into a boat that only cost me $8k. Looking online, I have found motors with 10 - 15 hrs on them for roughly the same price. <br /><br />Am I just creating more problems for myself waiting for another to happen if I fix the current engine with a new lower unit. or do I buy a newer better engine that may cost more, but will have less problems and possibly a warranty?<br /><br />I guess another option would be to purchase a new/refurb lower unit and replace it ourselves. My brother is a mechanic and my friend has worked on boats for years (mostly in-board though). Is there anything gained by going with a dealer versus doing it yourself (warranty?)<br /><br />One buddy who owns a Cobalt recommended that we fix this one, sell it, and then purchase a new/used boat with some warranty to it.<br /><br />thoughts? ideas? recomendations?<br /><br />cschuler 