I found a bunch of Industry Data . . .

[Scott Danforth]

I've already noticed more 'obsolete' parts for my 2001 Volvo-Penta 5.7GXi on the marine parts websites.

As opposed to the Ford, GM and Stelantis parts obsolete for 2013 and older vehicles?

 

[Lou C]

There are only a few car companies who actually make parts for older vehicles available.

 

[Pmt133]

At some point merc changed the GEN II but I'm pretty sure most of the gear sets and parts all work back to the early 70s. I was kind of surprised when I was gathering parts like gears and bearings for my MR when I saw they were listed for Gen II up to a certain serial number.

We have some equipment with plans in our plant where the last revision was made to the design pre-war. I kind of feel like the alpha is getting to that point. Antiquated by modern standards... but if it ain't broke and you can fix it still... why not.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Aftermarket companies offer gears and parts for common older drives

 

[Lou C]

How “good” it is should be determined by how ”good”
It works!

 

[Pmt133]

True. And as dad always said, the parts weren't always easy to get when they were in production. So I guess it doesn't matter that much.

How “good” it is should be determined by how ”good”
It works!

Good enough Pratt didn't think it worth their time to design replacements.

 

[tpenfield]

I'm looking at the numbers and they seem staggering . . .

Unit volume of Sterndrives going from about 72K/yr in the late '90's/2000 down to about 10K/yr twenty years later.

The boat volume itself among these 2 market sectors (Cruisers and Runabouts) is also shocking (83K -> 20K), which speaks to the pontoon and center console markets.
.

.
I know that I am in the honeymoon phase of owning 'big HP' outboards, but so far so good.

 

[redneck joe]

a decade or so back Sea Ray had a 25 maybe 27 footer that had 'pockets' built in for large outboards so it looked more like a sterndrive. Figured that would be a success, apparently not.

 

[tpenfield]

a decade or so back Sea Ray had a 25 maybe 27 footer that had 'pockets' built in for large outboards so it looked more like a sterndrive. Figured that would be a success, apparently not.

Pursuit boats had something similar . . . 365 Sport Coupe . . . I don't think it did all that well either. I don't think the outboards could tilt far enough to be out of the water when not in use.
.

.

 

[Pmt133]

I have a curiosity. Any data for people opting for the "premium" engine vs the base? Seems most of the time it's the bare minimum you see for sale used.

 

[redneck joe]

seems like the tilt issue would be a very small engineering hurdle. Sounds like you need to sharpen your pencils up and do another mod to your boat....

 

[Scott Danforth]

Most of the boating platforms are about half of what they were in 2023. Towboats are down 60%. Pontoons are down 40%

 

[Kosmofreeze]

... they do not disintegrate in 10 years the way some people who never venture out of freshwater think.
...

I resemble that remark and I did say that I made-up my statistics
I appreciate the saltwater perspective. My concern is that the population of sterndrives will drop to the point where they are no longer economically viable to keep operating. It probably won't happen in my lifetime - I'm 70 years old - but, data suggests it's going to happen. For now - let's go boating and be happy about paying exorbitant prices for OEM parts.