what do you think of sea drive outboards

[deshet]

I have never heard of one. i know people sometimes call evinrude OMC. but I have never seen a outboard with OMC on the cowling. the outboard in question is a 1988 OMC Sea Drive 225

thanks

[Skools Out]

no don't buy they are junk only thing good is the lower unit's and power heads

[Skools Out]

actually they aren't outboards they are stern drives.

[CT_V-20]

my goodness skools. i just replaced a 1.6L '86 Sea Drive with the original VRO still pumping well. it was running reliably when i put my Johnson 150 on this summer after 19-yrs. that ain't no "junk". and they sea drives are most certainly outboards (check my gallery)

deshet - the sea drive motors were the first bracket set up out there and one of the first with oil injection. they definately don't get any respect from service shops so be prepared to service it yourself for the small stuff. I had a friend who ran the service department at a marina i worked in during high school who would still take mine when I had a big job (i.e. i had to replace a head gasket in '04) for me. i bought my service manual on ebay. the lift mechanism parts can be tough to get, so keep that in mind. there is a shop somewhere in the the SE that specializes in the sea drives and keeps parts, but i don't know much about it, only that it exists.

[Skools Out]

yeah they are outboards kind of just the power head and the lower unit are the same but the tilt part is the junk part. had 2 OMC 140's i got to part out for the power heads and lower units but to me go bracket.

[Blue_Runner]

From what I understand, the fact that no one will work on em and nobody has parts is the reason they are junk - other than that I've heard they are strong running reliable motors. I wouldn't buy one.

[willy]

Thats the facts Jack , got one guy down in the highlands been running an original sea drive since new. Loves it. But he is a mechanic Skools kind of guy and bought spare parts years ago for it so not a problem. For me the parts availability and the fact that most mechanics are to swamped around here to be bothered with it closes the deal. But I believe they would make a good bracket and repower candidate. Then you get the full transom and new power ;)

[macojoe]

If the boat is in good shape offer for the boat only Then run the boat with the idea the seadrive is going to die soon!! Put very little in the motor and run to the ground!!

After that get a bracket and a good used new motor and repower, You will never want anything better then a full transom boat!!

[reelapeelin]

MJ got it!!... ;)...

[phester]

I WILL be keeping my eyes open for a former omc-drive, to get that full transom. I know a former I/O conversion is not that difficult, although it is beyond my capabilities