Hi Guys and Gals. It's amazing how much experience and knowledge is available on this board -- too bad I didn't know about it before buying my first boat. My problem -- I bought my first boat with a Yamaha Stern Drive! Actually, I love the boat -- 1992 Celebrity bow rider, 5.0, Yamaha YEMS, fresh water only and it is currently running great. As a former race car builder (competitive amateur) and engineer, I know the value of preventative maintenance -- and certainly reinforced by following the posts on this forum. So...the problem I have is that NEW parts for the Yamaha are either not available or cost 6 to 10 times the comparable parts for a Mercruiser (whether this is gross price gouging by Yamaha dealers or the factory -- or the combination of both, I don't know). For example, A forum member tells me that YAMAHA riser GASKETS are $31.00 EACH! That kind of parts cost doesn't make it easy to take things apart for simple maintenance. If the rig wasn't running well and money so tight (about to retire), I'd consider a re-power with a Mercruiser or Volvo. So...I'm hoping that some of you have already found ways to substitute non-Yamaha parts and I'll be posting a series of questions dealing with specific issues. I'll start with my immediate concern -- exhaust manifolds and risers.
The manifolds and risers are original. Other than for stainless steel ($$$$), I haven't located any company offering non-OEM. The Yamaha risers have threaded bosses in their sides to secure parts (throttle and shift assemblies, etc.). Has anyone substituted Mercruiser (or equivalent non-OEM) manifolds and risers for the Yamaha? My guess is that I would have to fabricate plates to somehow be secured to the risers so that I could then mount the Yamaha engine components. Plumbing the exhaust may also be a problem but one that should be solvable with high temperature exhaust hose.
Any thoughts/comments/advice (other than selling the boat to some other newbie)? Anyone want to volunteer their parts substitution successes? I'd appreciate any help
The manifolds and risers are original. Other than for stainless steel ($$$$), I haven't located any company offering non-OEM. The Yamaha risers have threaded bosses in their sides to secure parts (throttle and shift assemblies, etc.). Has anyone substituted Mercruiser (or equivalent non-OEM) manifolds and risers for the Yamaha? My guess is that I would have to fabricate plates to somehow be secured to the risers so that I could then mount the Yamaha engine components. Plumbing the exhaust may also be a problem but one that should be solvable with high temperature exhaust hose.
Any thoughts/comments/advice (other than selling the boat to some other newbie)? Anyone want to volunteer their parts substitution successes? I'd appreciate any help
