New aftermarket Outdrives Made in China?

[Larry955]

I am wondering about the quality of the aftermarket outdrives for sale from iboats<br />vs. rebuilding<br />Thanks Larry

 

[Cool It]

Re: New aftermarket Outdrives Made in China?

How can you beat that great Price, I would also like to here some opinions on the aftermarket outdrives because I have an 1988 alpha one and although everything is OK now -Knock on Wood- Im sure my time will come.<br /><br />Thanks <br />Cool It

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: New aftermarket Outdrives Made in China?

Maybe the time has come to NOT rebuild these drives.With labor what it is,I can't compete when major parts are needed (drive or propshaft).What do you guys think.How is the quality?<br />DHP

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: New aftermarket Outdrives Made in China?

I dont know anything about the aftermarket drives but a rebuilt merc drive is as good as a new one.Charlie

 

[Cool It]

Re: New aftermarket Outdrives Made in China?

What is the average cost to rebuild???<br /><br />Cool It !!!

 

[achris]

Re: New aftermarket Outdrives Made in China?

Here's something to consider with aftermarket legs.<br /><br />Where do they get the parts, like housings and shafts, from? Mercruiser of course. They're the only one's who have a need for them, so they're the only one's makin' 'em......<br /><br />So, is an aftermarket as good as a genuine? The correct answer is "It is a genuine". The only thing that's not genuine is the labour that assembled it and possibly the paint job. <br /><br /><br />Chris.........

 

[Ralph 123]

Re: New aftermarket Outdrives Made in China?

I've also been wondering about these drives. The only thing I can figure is that the 17 year patent protection is up and they are being knocked off in China like everything else.<br /><br />Does anyone know if the parts are interchangeable with an Alpha 1? <br /><br />The low price has kept me from buying any used drives or parts since. For around $1,200 you get a new drive with a 1 year warranty... If anything goes wrong with my current drives I am going to buy a set unless I hear some horor stories.

 

[Larry955]

Re: New aftermarket Outdrives Made in China?

I have heard the company has only been in business for a year and a half.<br />Not much track record!<br />I was thinking they are knok offs made in China<br />also. Junk ?<br />Would really like to find out more about the quality.<br />Thanks Larry

 

[JasonB]

Re: New aftermarket Outdrives Made in China?

There was a lot of discussion about these at one time. They appear to be well made from what I have researched out. If anything in my 1R drive goes haywire, I'll be thinking really hard about one of these. They clain to be 100% compatible with OEM parts. I'm not sure where the parts are made, but I think the mfgr is a US company.

 

[flashback]

Re: New aftermarket Outdrives Made in China?

They are most likely cast,forged and assembled completly in china, but what the heck. the chinese are makeing some pretty good stuff these days. Six months ago I bought and air compressor to run some nail guns. cost me a hundred bucks, but it's just as good if not better than a 300 dollar unit from dewalt or some other name brand that is probably made in china also.... If I had an extra 1500.00, I would buy one right now just to have a spare.......

 

[bluewater19]

Re: New aftermarket Outdrives Made in China?

Check these guys out. They are in the usa and have done all the testing and stuff themselves. <br />$1200.00 for a brand new alpha type drive.<br />www.sterndrive.cc/

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: New aftermarket Outdrives Made in China?

Yep, these are the units built in China. I haven't had a chance to use one on a customer's boat yet but another dealer in town is selling a butt load of them. Said he hasn't had the first one come back yet and at dealer's cost, he can't afford to rebuild outdrives anymore. What always baffles me is here I sit looking at the Sterndrive Engineering's full page ad in the Soundings Trade only magazine and there is no indication as to where they are located. Only a phone number. Makes me think of some guy sitting behind a desk in a smoke filled room in some shady area cutting deals on smuggled boat parts.

 

[Sterndrive Engineering]

Re: New aftermarket Outdrives Made in China?

Actually, the units are not made in China. They are assembled at our factory in Clearwater, Fl from parts sourced around the world. Less than 5% of the parts come from China. Sterndrive Engineering owns all of the drawings, tooling, molds and fixtures for the parts which are 100% compatible with the OE. After 18 months of research and testing, we know the drives are good. No shady deals, smuggled parts, or smoke filled rooms -- just a lot of hard work that resulted in a good product at a good price.

 

[Bizmark]

Re: New aftermarket Outdrives Made in China?

So I guess my question would be, Are the drives in the ad listed on the iboats engine repair forum page those made by Sterndrive Engineering or someone else??

 

[JasonB]

Re: New aftermarket Outdrives Made in China?

I love seeing mfgrs involved in these discussions. I'm keeping them bookmarked in case my #1R bites the dust. Hey it's only 30 years old!! Would i have any issues replacing a 1976 Mercruiser 888 drive (1.5 ratio behind a 302 Ford smallblock)? I just rebuilt the engine and Gimbal ring, so the drive is all that is left. I don't really want to buy all the proper tools and take the time to figure it out. It would be nice to pull 8 nuts and just replace it all.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: New aftermarket Outdrives Made in China?

Dang, there goes my mysterious idea. Still like the cloak and dagger stuff better.