how can you tell the difference between an L-drive and any other type of engine? I have a 1989 85 hp force that i purchased last year, but unfortunately, the serial plate is not where all the manuals suggest it should be.
Very basically you have four types of boat propulsion.
1- outboard
2- inboard
3- inboard with exterior stern drive
4- jet boats
Of course there are several others but no need to go there. The "L" drive is nothing more than an outboard motor powerhead which is placed inside the boat which is attached to an outdrive unit. Hence the "L" configuration.
Bayliner made several attempts at this set up but they all crapped out for various reasons.
Now your serial plate really shouldn't have any relation to the drive unit itself. A motor will have some type of plate somewhere just to tell you what it is - not what it's hooked up to.
If you indeed to have a boat with the "L" drive I would run away from it very fast. No parts, no support - nothing.
Somewhat of a dinosaur if you will.
definately not an L-drive, but the model number plate missing makes it hard to be sure i am getting the right parts when need to... tho basic parts seem to be the same no matter what model the force is.
