counter rotating lower units

[LiquidWrench]

Planning ahead I know that I will have to have my drives gone through or replaced eventually. Both of my drives now are standard rotation. Just wondering if it is worth the extra money to put a counter rotating unit on the port side when the time comes. Are there any benefits performance, handling, or economy wise to do it?

 

[SCORPIO]

I did the same thing on my boat. I got a counter rotating lower from SEI and put it on the port side. The boat handles MUCH better around the dock, and that annoying port prop walk is eliminated. Boat planes a bit easier I think also. If you are going to be replacing a lower or full leg, get a counter rotator and you won't regret it. You will of course need a new prop, but that is not a huge expense. You also have to change the cable at the shifter but that is a simple matter of removing a cotter pin and placing the cable in the opposite hole on that shifter.

 

[JimFromMD]

I did the same thing on my boat. I got a counter rotating lower from SEI and put it on the port side. The boat handles MUCH better around the dock, and that annoying port prop walk is eliminated. Boat planes a bit easier I think also. If you are going to be replacing a lower or full leg, get a counter rotator and you won't regret it. You will of course need a new prop, but that is not a huge expense. You also have to change the cable at the shifter but that is a simple matter of removing a cotter pin and placing the cable in the opposite hole on that shifter.

+1. Made a world of difference on my fathers 87 270DA. Also switched to 4 bladed props aluminum props (vs 3) at that time. The boat handled well already, but we found significant improvements (more than anticipated) in handling from the combo of changes.

 

[JVM225]

I did it on my 87 300 Sundancer and the difference around the dock was night and day. Highly recommend it.

 

[LiquidWrench]

Looks like I will plan the switch when the time comes. I don't notice any bad handling now unless I'm trying to come in on one engine (it's been a long battle but I'm finally winning it and keeping both engines running now). I assume that the SEI drives are probably alpha ones. Is it possible to put an alpha lower unit on a mc1 upper?

 

[SCORPIO]

Call Sterndrive Engineering and ask them, they will be able to answer that better than me.

 

[Bt Doctur]

it depends on how old it is if you have fine spline lowers, then yes, If you have coarse splined lower(8) ,then no

 

[SCORPIO]

Could the OP get a complete leg and upgrade?

 

[LiquidWrench]

I know I can upgrade to entire alpha gen 1 leg, but my upper units were recentury gone through and resealed. When it comes time for the lowers which will probably be in the next year or so I would rather only replace the lower if I can get away with it.