Repair or replace with aftermarket Mercruiser outdrive?

[Brancieri]

Bought boat about 3 months ago, brought it in for outdrive service and the shope called me in to show me the work it needs. $5,000 quote from that shop. I pulled it out fast. The boat is an 84 and I only paid 5K for it. I have several mobile mechanics who will do the work at a very reasonable price. I'm deciding on which route to go...replace entire outdrive with the after market SE106 for $1250...all and all with new Gimbal Bearing it'll be about $1,500 for all parts and about $500 for labor. OR I buy the gimbal bearing, U-joints, seal kit...and have this one repaired. Below are some pics of the boat and of the outdrive. What do you think?

Thanks for your advice.
www.brancieri.com/Outdrive
www.brancieri.com/SeaRay

 

[thumpar]

Re: Repair or replace with aftermarket Mercruiser outdrive?

What did they say was wrong with the drive?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Repair or replace with aftermarket Mercruiser outdrive?

Nice looking boat. It's worth putting a new SE drive on it.

 

[nickcasa]

Re: Repair or replace with aftermarket Mercruiser outdrive?

i bought a new se106, great product and tech support, you can install it yourself with 2 friends, its freakin heavy....very easy...however spin the gimbal by hand to make sure its good, otherwise have merc or a mechanic replace it and the bellows all in one shot

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Repair or replace with aftermarket Mercruiser outdrive?

First, I love that style of Sea Ray boat. If I had one of those, I wouldn't be looking to upgrade from my little cuddy to a cruiser. So, in my opinion, the boat is well worth spending good money to make it whole again.

It would appear that you had water in your driveshaft bellows. So it's time to replace the drive shaft bellows, the shift cable bellows too (probably), and the gimbal. If the drive seals were also leaking and water got inside, I'd go ahead and replace it with that complete SEI 106 drive. They cost $1195 directly from SEI, have a 3 year no fault warranty, so it's a no brainer to me. Be aware that a "complete drive" will still be shipped in two halves. You will have to put it together.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Repair or replace with aftermarket Mercruiser outdrive?

Nice boat. I'm with Tilliam. With that warranty, it's a no-brainer.

 

[Brancieri]

Re: Repair or replace with aftermarket Mercruiser outdrive?

The gimbal bearing does need to be replaced. I'll have that done and all the bellows...how about the shift cable? I might as well while it's out...right? It's corroded.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Repair or replace with aftermarket Mercruiser outdrive?

Yep, definitely replace the cable while you're at it.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Repair or replace with aftermarket Mercruiser outdrive?

... I might as well while it's out...right? It's corroded.

Yep