SEI outdrives

Pirate Lady

Well-Known Member
Jun 2, 2020
7,574
Chesapeake Bay, Middle River
Boat Info
Sundancer 250 ‘91
Engines
7.4 Bravo 1
So I had a prop seal go bad in September. Got a call from shop. The seal sits in a carrier that is badly corroded after 30 years and won’t come out. He gave me 3 options…
New Merc lower end $4k
Used Merc lower end with chunks missing from skeg, no warranty, $800
New SEI lower unit, 3 year warranty, $1500.
I asked if it was your boat what would you do, we discussed, we both decided go with SEI.
Now I will be first to say I never been a fan of SEI. Thought they were Chinese junk.
But on a 30yo boat paid $10k, the new Merc made no sense. The used was iffy. What say you? I certainly ain’t looking for justification on my decision. Just curious what others may have done.
Oh, bolting twin Verados to swim platform not an option, don’t go there.
 
I blew two of them up on our 98 290 but that boat was too heavy to have alphas in the first place and it had twin 260hp 350's, so I think they were being asked to do way too much.

That being said - SEI warrantied both of the blown lowers without a hassle and aside from a couple weeks downtime for each event, I was back on the water for no more than the cost of a haulout.

I'd do exactly as you did, especially at the value for your boat you mentioned. My advice is to follow their break-in procedure to the letter. On the replacement lowers I did just that and never had another problem

Oh, and the first oil change you'll have lots of glitter...it's expected (at least that's what they told me and they weren't wrong)
 
I’m wondering which drive you have? Are you looking for a Bravo or Alpha lower unit? The SEI with warranty is probably your best bet but I know a Mercury mechanic who retired and has some parts laying around.
 
I would for sure do what you did, maybe find some magnetic plugs to suck the baddy down to the bottom.
 
I blew two of them up on our 98 290 but that boat was too heavy to have alphas in the first place and it had twin 260hp 350's, so I think they were being asked to do way too much.

That being said - SEI warrantied both of the blown lowers without a hassle and aside from a couple weeks downtime for each event, I was back on the water for no more than the cost of a haulout.

I'd do exactly as you did, especially at the value for your boat you mentioned. My advice is to follow their break-in procedure to the letter. On the replacement lowers I did just that and never had another problem

Oh, and the first oil change you'll have lots of glitter...it's expected (at least that's what they told me and they weren't wrong)
Glitter…… that’s funny
 
A guy at our marina replaced his broken Alpha 1 with an SEI and had no complaints or issues. The only issue he ran into was when they first installed it forward was reverse and reverse was forward. I guess there was another part he needed that he didn't buy or wasn't aware of but once that was fixed it was fine.
 
A guy at our marina replaced his broken Alpha 1 with an SEI and had no complaints or issues. The only issue he ran into was when they first installed it forward was reverse and reverse was forward. I guess there was another part he needed that he didn't buy or wasn't aware of but once that was fixed it was fine.
Sounds like they got a left hand drive and not the standard right hand.
 
So I had a prop seal go bad in September. Got a call from shop. The seal sits in a carrier that is badly corroded after 30 years and won’t come out. He gave me 3 options…
New Merc lower end $4k
Used Merc lower end with chunks missing from skeg, no warranty, $800
New SEI lower unit, 3 year warranty, $1500.
I asked if it was your boat what would you do, we discussed, we both decided go with SEI.
Now I will be first to say I never been a fan of SEI. Thought they were Chinese junk.
But on a 30yo boat paid $10k, the new Merc made no sense. The used was iffy. What say you? I certainly ain’t looking for justification on my decision. Just curious what others may have done.
Oh, bolting twin Verados to swim platform not an option, don’t go there.
 
I got lucky with our 89 250 DA. Same issue, old and crusty alpha 1. I was able to pick up a real good used one from one of the fix it guys at our club for 250 bucks. Had it installed by a local shop who put in a new seal, impeller, and lube for another 200. And I don’t know what SEI is so I can’t comment there!
 
Sounds like they got a left hand drive and not the standard right hand.
not sure. they got out of boating the following year but as far as i know they still have the boat
 
. And I don’t know what SEI is so I can’t comment there!
Sterndrive Engineering Inc - they make replacement stern drives and offer something like a three year warranty with very good pricing.

Pirate - for you seems like a good option since you were not doing the work yourself. A complete SEI drive probably would have you out the door at $3500, still a lot of money. I just looked up the prices and new ones are so expensive…
 
I put an SEI lower on an Alpha 1 about 12 years ago and it's still going strong for the current owner.

It was whiney as expected, but a good value.
 
x-brother in law replaced his blown Alpha with SEI at my suggestion. Best bang for the buck, I thought.

Had it for 9 years and not a hickup. And he was not kind to his stuff, BUT did do all the maintenance I told him to do every year.
 
...
Oh, and the first oil change you'll have lots of glitter...it's expected (at least that's what they told me and they weren't wrong)
That would suggest to me that you need to do the first oil change MUCH sooner, and do another shortly after that.

If you can SEE the glitter, can you imagine the wear and damage it's doing while going through bearings and in between gears?
 

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