Sterndrive Engineering and your thoughts

[NateRW21]

So here's the deal... my skeg is a bit dinged up and more importantly, got a bit of a bend/curve to it (enough that you can easily see it, but not so much that you'd use it as a square while building a house). I got a quote at $400 to cut it off, weld on a new one, smooth it out and refinish. I need to replace my gimble bearing at the very least, this fall... if not sooner. I have no idea when the impeller was last replaced (if ever) since I just got the boat a year ago... that should be done. As I'm adding all of this up and then thinking about any possible extras that would be required along the way... I'm starting to think that a re-maned alpha drive or a new Sterndrive Engineering would be a better way to go.

Best I've been able to find on a re-man alpha was around $2400, I found one new for about $2800 (for a $400 difference, I'm not sure I'd even bother with re-man).

SEI's alpha replacements run $1200 brand new.


So I'm looking for every one's input on what they think would be the way to go; just do the work that needs to be done on the drive I have now, spring for a new or re-man alpha, or go with the SEI?

Also, I'm hoping that some of you might have had some experience with the SEI and can give me some reviews. I don't really care if it's experience with the bravo replacements or the alpha gen II replacements; I just want some kind of idea on the over-all quality this company puts out. I've read some good things in my research so far, but I'm always a bit leery of knock-off brands (even though sometimes you can get lucky and end up with a better product than the "real deal").

So guys (and ladies), let me hear your thoughts; the more the better as I am truly undecided and am going to take the votes here very much into account.

Also, please explain in a reply after your vote.

And last but not least, keep in mind this is an 89 boat and a new drive is a bit more than half of the value of the boat itself

THANKS!!!

 

[H2ONUT]

I have not used one. However a few people at the marina have. No problems at all, and you can't beat the warranty. 2 members are into their 5th season with the SEI drives.

 

[fc3]

Have someone who knows what he's doing repair the drive. A through disassembly, repair, and reassembly with new seals is much less expensive. That's what I did when I had a sterndrive boat.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[NateRW21]

Yeah, I won't lie... the price and warranty are VERY attractive!

more good reviews; that's reassuring. I'm having a distributor that's within convent distance from me give me a price estimate for all parts needed to replace my drive (bellows, seals, coupler, engine mounts... they, this stuff is 20 years old!!) We'll see what they come back with.

 

[NateRW21]

Thanks Frank, I'll price that out and take it into consideration!

 

[Still LauCo]

I know 2 people with a total of 4 SEI drives.

Both are on year 3 or 4. One had a gear go bad on one of his drives and SEI replaced it immediately.

I'd consider them for sure!

 

[Salty Dog - LI]

An outdrive is not hard to pull off, and it's easy to pull and install a gimbel bearing with the right tools. Gimbel bearing = $60-80. O ring kit = $8. Cut off and re-weld on new skeg = $400. New bellows = $80. With borrowed tools which many marine stores can provide, you can re-hab your outdrive for $700. 3 hours to do the work. If you have minimal metal filings on your magnet stem of the outdrive oil drain plug, then the gears are still fine. Why spend the money on a new outdrive if you don't have to? I just did replaced my gimbel bearing, gear shaft bellows last week with my boat mechanic friend. It isn't hard to do for a mechanic, or someone that knows what their doing, or someone who is mechanically inclined and can follow a maintenance manual.

 

[douglee25]

SEI is run by the same company who owns SBT (www.sbtontheweb.com). The owner I believe is Greg Pickren. SBT is the largest remanufacturer of jetski engines in the world. They do something like 10,000 engines per year and offer a similar no fault 1 or 2 year warranty.

I wouldn't hesitate going with them. Give them a call and get a feel for their operation/product.

Doug

 

[NateRW21]

Keep em coming!!! I'm taking mental notes of all the points everyone is making!!

 

[Weave]

you mention gimble bearing replacement...That will not come with a new or reman'd SEI drive....either one you choose will still require new gimble
I say fix your old one, reseal it, have u joints inspected, water pump, etc.

 

[kbsunlovers]

I don't have a comment on SEI, as I've no experience with them or the product - I did see an ad today from ebasicpower for Gen I lower gear housings for $400. If you're up for swapping out the internals, and the gearset is in good enough condition to be practical it could be another option for you.

 

[NateRW21]

Well, the SEI drive leads by one vote over R&R the old drive (not enough to make me lean more one way than the other). I've pretty much decided against the re-man or new alpha one; it's just too costly when I have two options that look to be a better route (more cost friendly). Still undecided though!

 

[Pakmule]

I own two SEI Alphas and they are great products.

 

[ghuskin]

I'm leaning towards the SEI replacement.

Who know's what you'll find when you crack open your current drive. If there are loads of problems, you'll easily be spending more than $1200 to have it rebuilt. Start fresh, then you'll know what you have. Continue to due routine maintenance.

Besides, it's always easier to spend someone else's money!

 

[everthing's irie]

Fix the skeg. Why replace something that isn't broken?

 

[Air O'Nautical]

Whichever way you go, you may want to replace:
Shift cable,
trim/limit senders,
all bellows(shaft,shift cable,exhaust),
Gimbel bearing,
coolant hose,
Oil hose,
install gaskets/"o" rings,
and nylock nuts shouldn't be reused.
Also, check engine alignment

None of this will come with a replacement drive.
The all new for one price isn't that easy.
I have done all this to my last boat on a bravo3 and it wasnt fun.
Good luck,
Mark.

 

[NateRW21]

Thanks for the heads up air... some of that I'd already planned on; others I'll have to add to the list!

I am leaning toward the SEI drive option, for the simple reason that repairing the skeg (either with a cut-off/weld on or new lower) will run me about 1/3 the cost of an entirely new drive, and I still haven't factored in a new impellor and the possible need of assorted seals and bearings. It's not going to happen until the end of season anyway, so I have time to figure it out.