Outdrive:Rebuild, remanufactered, or new aftermarket

[todd d]

I have a 1987 alpha one sterndrive which was purchased last year. It had a leaky oil seal (oil in boot) and water damage from previous years.

It needs new u joint, seals, bearings, and upper gears. Shop has quoted $1400 to rebuild upper unit; $2100 to replace upper unit; or $3800 for a remanufactured drive (upper and lower).

I have found quotes on this site and others for a new aftermarket drive of $1195 (Vendor 199).

The new aftermarket drive seems to be the clear winner. Am I missing something? Why is this so much cheaper? Does anyone have any comments regarding the aftermarket products?

Thanks in advance

Todd

 

[Bondo]

Re: Outdrive:Rebuild, remanufactered, or new aftermarket

Why is this so much cheaper? Does anyone have any comments regarding the aftermarket products?

Ayuh,... Because they're Aftermarket,...

I've heard Nothing but Praise for the SEI drives, Especially with their 3 year No fault warrenty...

 

[JustJason]

Re: Outdrive:Rebuild, remanufactered, or new aftermarket

Agree with Bondo...

The shops prices aren't out of line with somebody here repairing/rebuilding what you got.
But Somewhere in china, a little china man is doing the same work for a nickle a day, and not 90 bucks an hour.
I've installed quite a few of the SEI drives, If your boat is worth less than 10 grand it's the way to go.

Little lonely down the cape still?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Outdrive:Rebuild, remanufactered, or new aftermarket

The new aftermarket drive seems to be the clear winner. Am I missing something? Why is this so much cheaper?

Capitalism at its finest.

Financially it is a no brainer. I installed a couple of them on my boat and my dad's boat. They really are great units.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Outdrive:Rebuild, remanufactered, or new aftermarket

If your boat is worth less than 10 grand it's the way to go.

Huh,..??

 

[JustJason]

Re: Outdrive:Rebuild, remanufactered, or new aftermarket

Just my personal feelings on SEI drives, what I tell my customers is this...

If your boat is worth clearly more than 10G, repair and keep the mercruiser drive so you don't lose any value by having a hunk of chinese aluminum hanging off the back.
If your boat is teetering on 10G value, you can go either way.
If your boat is worth less than 10G, its a no brainer to install an SEI drive, at this price range it's better having a chinadrive that works vs a merc drive that leaks/doesn't work.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Outdrive:Rebuild, remanufactered, or new aftermarket

I can't say as though I would care what the name on the drive is regardless of the price of the boat. As long as it appears to be well-maintained and in good condition I'd pay the same. The only time I'd be paying close attention to drive brand is if I was looking at offshore powerboats and you start talking about Bravo X-drives and Dry sump units like the Six Drives.

SEI will be what I go with if my pre-alpha drive is toast.

 

[frank246]

Re: Outdrive:Rebuild, remanufactered, or new aftermarket

Well... my boat is worth nothing, not even 2 grand to some one else but to me it is.
I purchased a Se106 in 2007 bcouse the original mercruiser MR drive was not to be trusted anymore and made me stress-out every time I took the boat for a ride.
Now I realy beat the crap out of the sei and if it breaks ill get another one and it would still be cheaper than rebuilding the old MR and it looks way better to.
just my .2

EDIT: I hope SEI comes out with a 1" or 2" shorty lower, that would be realy cool. (maybe they read this)

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Outdrive:Rebuild, remanufactered, or new aftermarket

SEI drive at $1195 is a NO BRAINER in your case.

 

[betayv]

Re: Outdrive:Rebuild, remanufactered, or new aftermarket

if i want to sell my boat today without the trailer i can get between 11.000 and 12.000$ I just put a se 116 on it and is great runs great, not complaint about SE outdrives.

 

[todd d]

Re: Outdrive:Rebuild, remanufactered, or new aftermarket

Thanks for all the input!!

We only paid $800 for the boat and trailer last year. The owner said that the engine was seized when we bought it. Turned out it was just the starter that was siezed so my hole in the water is smaller than expected anyways. The new SEI drive will just make the hole a little bigger, but I will feel better knowing there is a new drive hanging of the back.

Thanks again

Todd

 

[Bondo]

Re: Outdrive:Rebuild, remanufactered, or new aftermarket

Just my personal feelings on SEI drives,

Ayuh,... I guess We'll agree to disagree on this 1....

I feel, Regardless the boats Value,...
A SEI drive is money in the bank,+ a Running boat has the Same value, whether it's a Merc. or SEI drive...

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Outdrive:Rebuild, remanufactered, or new aftermarket

I have installed several SEI drives,as well as there trim cylinders, with no issues.
its also why I dont rebuilt alpha drives anymore. not worth my time.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Outdrive:Rebuild, remanufactered, or new aftermarket

Ayuh,... I guess We'll agree to disagree on this 1....

I feel, Regardless the boats Value,...
A SEI drive is money in the bank,+ a Running boat has the Same value, whether it's a Merc. or SEI drive...

Eah.. It's just one of those things that if you came to me with a 20+ thousand dollar rig that needed drive work that would equal the cost of an sei drive, i'd still recomend the repairing the merc drive. I still feel the Merc unit is a better drive, + I'd want the money for repairing it, not shipping a check to china for a new one.

Obviously if you came to me with a 2K bargain boat i'd ship you out with an SEI drive.

To each their own though.

 

[Greg Pickren]

Re: Outdrive:Rebuild, remanufactered, or new aftermarket

Thanks for the interest in SEI and the kind words about our drives. For the most part, what I am reading about SEI in this thread is true. However, there seems to be an implied notion that our drives are made in China and I feel I need to point out that this is not true. Like any major manufacturer in today's economy, we source parts from around the world. However, our Chinese made content is actually less than 10%. Our cases, gears, and shafts are not made in China and the drives are assembled at our factory in Oldsmar, Florida. We own all of the tooling for the major components of the drives and perform all of the quality control and testing ourselves in Florida.

We are very proud of the fact that while the rest of the marine industry is struggling in today's tough economy, we are actually growing and adding manufacturing capacity in Oldsmar.

Once again, thanks for your interest in SEI.

Greg Pickren
President and Owner
SEI Marine Products

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Outdrive:Rebuild, remanufactered, or new aftermarket

Greg - I like your product and your customer service..... but surely you can do better than 4 posts in a little over 7 years.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Outdrive:Rebuild, remanufactered, or new aftermarket

Okay.... Indiadrives then

Either way... the drive do DO what they are supposed to do, and that's push the boat through the water.

 

[mciaio]

Re: Outdrive:Rebuild, remanufactered, or new aftermarket

LOL, it goes to show, you never know who is looking!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Outdrive:Rebuild, remanufactered, or new aftermarket

LOL, it goes to show, you never know who is looking!

Ayuh,.... This is iboats.com forums,....

Everybody is Lookin'.....

 

[frank246]

Re: Outdrive:Rebuild, remanufactered, or new aftermarket

EDIT: I hope SEI comes out with a 1" or 2" shorty lower, that would be realy cool. (maybe they read this)

Well they did read it...
Mr Greg Pickren, what is the change that SEI comes with a short lower version on the market?

Sorry to use this thread but this might be the only opportunity.