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.

 

[Scott06]

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.

I think 98 and up gen 2 have a different bearing pack and upper gear for the driveshaft

 

[Lou C]

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.

No offense intended, but I see this attitude all the time, "never in salt" as if salt water is the modern variant of the bubonic plauge or "I went to the coast to vacation, I can't flush till I get home will it be OK etc",
there are 2 variations of salt water boaters:
1) trailer boaters whose boats look just like ones from fresh water, they do have to replace the exhaust every 7/8 seasons but that's about it, if they flush them regularly
2) boats like mine that are stored during the season in the water, either on rotating moorings like me or docked in marinas
the latter group will have more issues with corrosion, and old anti fouling paint is the main headache.
and for the record, a boat on a mooring with no shore power nearby, will not have crazy amounts of corrosion as long as the anodes are maintained.
It is boats in marinas with shore power and stray currents that suffer from galvanic corrosion and that happens in freshwater too. And all fresh water is not the same, if there are a lot of dissolved minerals in it, it can be very corrosive.
For the record, 25 years of salt water use, the toughest kind (moored in the salt) heres's what my OMC Cobra has needed as far as repairs:
replaced both trim ram rods, due to pitting and corrosion of the aluminum, rebuilt the rams at 34 years old
replaced the seal for the water pump shaft with an improved design & new water pump base for better sealing
replaced the bellows 2x
had a few seals replaced by my mechanic way back in 2005/06
replaced the steering actuator, due to leaks, the original lasted like 33 years
That's it, nothing else but the constant headache of the anti fouling paint.
Oh for the engine, it's on its 4th exhaust system!
Same short block, heads were replaced due to overheat damage back in 2017, probably they might have rusted through by now though.

On the other hand, outboards do suffer corrosion as well. If you frequent The Hull Truth you will see this, it is common on Yamahas, some Suzukis, and some Hondas. Not as common on Mercury or Evinrude.
Those repairs can involve replaced exhaust parts, minor welding repairs, or it can get to the point where you just need to replace the powerhead, because the corrosion causes the head gasket to not seal, or the bottom of the oil pan where it bolts to the exhaust housing does not seal leading to water in the oil.
If I were buying a used outboard powered boat here in the salt, I wouldn't want one older than about 5 years for that reason (engine only, a newer engine on a solid older fishing style boat is fine), because that corrosion like a rot hole in a car fender by the time you see it, it's too late to do anything about it.
Also, outboards have internal anodes that must be replaced, many people do not know that or don't have it done.

Pontoon boats? Here in coastal Long Island they are only used for water taxis in marinas, no one buys them at all. They don't do well with rough water which is common in coastal regions.
Center consoles dominate, but it doesn't make sense to me due to the lack of weather protection, a walk around would make a lot more sense but apparently most people don't agree.
The decline of sterndrives is mainly because people don't want to do maintenance, and the boat companies don't want to build boats that can be easily serviced. The outboard they can't muck up, lol, because they don't make it. Here if you get 15 years out of a modern 4 stroke outboard, you got your money's worth.

 

[tpenfield]

Salt water? I hear it is like acid . . .

After having run sterndrive engines in salt water for 20 years . . . It is do-able, but given a decent option, I wouldn't do it (again).

IMO - the popularity of sterndrive engines was largely based on the need for high horse power. Once the outboards caught up to the sterndrive's HP, the migration to outboards was on.

If I was in fresh water, I'd stay with a sterndrive, if that is what I had . . . If buying in fresh water, I'd consider a sterndrive, if it was a lot less money

 

[flashback]

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.

and fuel..!

 

[redneck joe]

I only use Amsoil and Wal Mart branded stuff...

oh and Seafoam is liquid gold....

In my Dodge truck....






I've seen freshwater corrosion from stray current and it is tough to beat...

 

[Scott Danforth]

Adding a heat exchanger and remote oil filters takes care of most I/O maintenance issues