OMC Saildrive Replacement?

[CEPA1243]

I am the original owner of a 7.3 S-2 with a Saildrive Engine. I know that parts are getting to be difficult to get. Anyone have a handle on where to get parts? Anyone replaced their Saildrive with either another Saildrive or a outboard? If so...what was your choice in engines, cost and any issues with installation.

Appreciate your sharing with me...thank you!

AJM

 

[BobM]

I haven't done this, but from what I have read an outboard is the easy route. Most replacement saildrives have full blown diesel engines attached, not the gas outboard powerhead that OMC used.

I actually thought that parts availability, excepting the hull gasket, was getting better since Bombardier bought Johnson/Evinrude.

http://www.romeosmarine.com/rm-partcatal.html has a parts list online. Find the part and contact your local dealer or look online.

What parts are you looking for?

 

[Scup]

Try here...

the Yahoo Saildrive Owners group.

There is a ton of info on that site, and very knowledgeable members.
Also, there are more than 4000 posts, covering virtually every topic.
Although it is a general saildrive site, most of the posts are about the OMC Zephyr.
You will need to register, however, but it's easy to do.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/saildriveowners/

Hope this helps.

 

[FastOlson]

Here's an alternative

http://www.betamarinenc.com/bz482_saildrive.htm

Friend of mine installed a new Beta S drive into his 36 footer when his ancient Volvo shaft drive diesel died. He sez that the glass work was not too hard (he did have some help) and within about a week he was motoring again. He used a larger hp version, of course.

I have seen a lot of repowers with Beta's and they are quiet and seem to be better engineered/marinized than the Yanmars and Universals.

Of course most modern diesels are quite a bit better than the old stuff...

(No commercial interest, just an observer. Opinions here are worth $.02 or less.)


LB