Reverse rotation I/Os in 1989 Sea Ray 300?

[Grand Larsony]

Haven't seen this asked in the past, and I'm wondering if it's foolish or not (like a waste of money, or it won't help, or it's not really possible, or whatever).

Going to be time think about my freshwater 1989 Alpha 1 Mercruiser outdrives at some point soon (they're original and getting sorta corroded on the outside, and I noticed late last year that they're both grinding when hard over, but they have always been well maintained on the inside and have always functioned perfectly).

I could also use a little help docking due to my particular slip location and prevailing wind patterns. Have heard that counter rotation could help.

Is there any sense in leaving the probably failing U-joints as-is, and replacing the drives with new SEI units, one standard rotation and one counter rotation, next year? Will I munch the gimbal or anything like that? Is there more to it than just the new upper\lower SEI parts to get "counter rotation"?

Drive lube was fine this fall, BTW, and I don't go offshore or put more than 40 hours on the boat per year. My IOs were last "rebuilt" two seasons ago (impellers & housings, seal kits, pressure tested, etc.).

 

[Don S]

Re: Reverse rotation I/Os in 1989 Sea Ray 300?

Is there any sense in leaving the probably failing U-joints as-is, and replacing the drives with new SEI units, one standard rotation and one counter rotation, next year? Will I munch the gimbal or anything like that?

What's a gimbal ???? I know what a Gimbal bearing is, and a gimbal ring, even a gimbal housing. But never heard of a "Gimbal" all by itself.

New drives will come with new ujoint assemblies. You should also check the gimbal bearings for smoothness, and how long since the bellows were replaced. If any bearing is bad, regardless what it's called, if it fails, it will be expensive.
I also doubt that having one drive counter rotating will help in docking any appreciable amount when in a cross wind. But it will help the boat run in a straight line when on plane.

 

[LilRedNeckGirl]

Re: Reverse rotation I/Os in 1989 Sea Ray 300?

I run a 1985 WellCRaft Sportsman, twin 140's both standard rotation. Recently I replaced one drive, after asking the same question . Basicaly, sterndrive engeneering makes a counter rotating unit. to get it to shift properly, you will most likely have to reverse the cables. not all shift assemblies are able to do that. then you need a new prop. your old one wont work.
Now, consider the boat was made new, with standerd rotation. a bunch were. aside from a slight "pull" to the right when running, and the fact that it steers easier one way over another, its no diferent then any single engine. often times, when changing something the boat designer made, you discover the reason and problems that made him do it his way in the first place... i still have standard rotetion on both drives....
Docking, twins alone help if you know how. Get out in clear water with no traffic or obstructions. at an idle, from neutral, put one drive in forward, the other in reverse. Lookie lookie, your going around in a circle. [sorta] switch drives and you go the other way. no change needed to the outdrive.
More on solo docking. I often bring the 24.8 foot wellcraft in to dock alone. My slip is cross current in a fast moving tide. Research spring lines. @ I have a line attached to the pileing that is just for solo docking. I drift with the current past the slip, grabbing the line. Engines in neutral that line allows me to pull the boat back a few feet, then pivot the boat on the outer pileing and into the slip for tie down. no stress, no risk.