SEI owners experiences

[marvinjansen]

I need to replace a Mercruiser 165 upper in a 1973 Aristocraft19. I am considering the SEI 106 upper as a replacement and would like to hear from members of this forum that may have purchased a SEI drive and had good or bad experiences. This will help me make my decision.

 

[Don S]

Re: SEI owners experiences

I haven't heard any complaints on this forum yet.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: SEI owners experiences

I have heard nothing but good stuff... I think one fella on here had a problem with his.. A serious failure.. He shipped it back.. They replaced it no questions asked... That's good warranty

 

[Bondo]

Re: SEI owners experiences

I need to replace a Mercruiser 165 upper in a 1973 Aristocraft19.

Ayuh,... What's the Problem with the Upper unit,..??
If it trashed the gears, 'n bearings,...
All that ground up metal went down into the lower, 'n it needs a tear-down at the least...
Or should be replaced as well....

I believe Fishermark has bought an SEI or 2...

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: SEI owners experiences

Is this the same boat that had the noisy gimble bearing?? Keeps getting better and better huh? That tub has some age on it so you can expect other problems.. Is it worth the outdrive replacement? If not you might try CL.. I saw 4 different merc outdrives for sale on there for like 400 bucks each... Risky but cheaper.. 1300 is a lot of bread to throw at a tub that old

 

[ziggy]

Re: SEI owners experiences

That tub has some age on it so you can expect other problems.. Is it worth the outdrive replacement?

his 'tub' looks more like a fiberglass classic to me.

not only that. his boat is mostly fiberglass construction. as in no stringers to rot and a glass deck. + a mostly wood free transom to boot.

looks plenty worth it to me.

 

[marvinjansen]

Re: SEI owners experiences

My MC 165 upper drive shafts and ujoint housings are all rusted and pitted. so much that they will fall apart when a joint is pressed out. the seal is also leaking into the bellows. the bellows looks good, but at some time in it's life must have had a hole and maybe even in salt water although it was mainly used on a river.
The upper is $675 plus shipping. I could get used parts to fix mine, but kinda like the idea of a new upper, the motor runs great and the lower works and just had an impeller.
would still like to hear from some who have purchased and run the SEI.

 

[marvinjansen]

Re: SEI owners experiences

It sure is a pretty boat and ran great on our trial run before I pulled the drive. Now I want to be ready for the spring.

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: SEI owners experiences

I've got an SEI lower unit. Was a bit noisy out of the box until the gears broke in, no problems 5 years later.

 

[Tenn Formula]

Re: SEI owners experiences

i have installed a couple of the SEI's for dockmates at my marina and have had zero issues. they are a little noisy until broken in but no issues other than that. also, i reccomend changing the fluid after the first 10 or so hours. that's what i've done and no problems with them so far.

 

[Split Shot]

Re: SEI owners experiences

I bought one last year. Only used about 2 months. Very food so far. excellent price

 

[missalot]

Re: SEI owners experiences

I put a pair on the back of my wife's boat. About 80 hrs so far, no issues - shift real nice.

 

[mark mcj]

Re: SEI owners experiences

The upper and lower I bought from them bolted right up to the transom.
I only have 12 hours on them, no issues so far.

 

[ziggy]

Re: SEI owners experiences

It sure is a pretty boat

yep, they sure are ain't they.. course i could be prejudice i suppose... after ya got a sliding hardtop, i can't imagine what the next boat will be that will satisfy me.. a cruiser maybe??? like dbkerly got comes to mind.. maybe in my next life when i got lots of bread..

and ran great on our trial run before I pulled the drive

sounds about like how my sea trial went. mine performed admirably also.. except. when on the sea trial the trim button worked. trailer too. after the sea trial to this day. trim button don't work and i gotta use trailer. this is the norm for a mc-1 drive though i live with it w/o too much grief.
the items your doing are very similar to what i had to do to my boat after i got it. so don't feel lonely. it's the norm...

looks like your getting some respectable feedback on the sei drive. about the feedback i was expecting. if/when my drive goes south. i will surly be on the band wagon too i think. the price, the warranty. pretty hard to overlook let alone the good testimonies... good luck in your decision..

 

[L8-Again]

Re: SEI owners experiences

Bought one 2 years ago after seeing info on this site about them. I only needed a lower but opted for a complete. No problems.