Mercruiser Alpha 1 vs SEI

[Mkos1989]

Um, total we had a catastrophic failure on out 1990 Alpha 1. Driving at 2500rpms and BOOM dead motor and came to a standstill. Motor woukd not turn over. Felt like we hit a sub merged log. Wouldnt crank over.. Got towed 3 miles back and I could smell random gearlube. Got back, towed home. Pulled outdrive and attempted to start motor. Fired up in 1 second and sounded great. I knew the problem was outdrive then. Pulled upper cover and the ring gear is missing teeth and a hole on the side of the case. Needless to say its toast. Prop also damaged and missing skeg too. Anybody ever do an insurance claim? If not approved is the mercruiser that much better the SEI?

 

[Scott06]

Um, total we had a catastrophic failure on out 1990 Alpha 1. Driving at 2500rpms and BOOM dead motor and came to a standstill. Motor woukd not turn over. Felt like we hit a sub merged log. Wouldnt crank over.. Got towed 3 miles back and I could smell random gearlube. Got back, towed home. Pulled outdrive and attempted to start motor. Fired up in 1 second and sounded great. I knew the problem was outdrive then. Pulled upper cover and the ring gear is missing teeth and a hole on the side of the case. Needless to say its toast. Prop also damaged and missing skeg too. Anybody ever do an insurance claim? If not approved is the mercruiser that much better the SEI?

Unless you have mechanical coverage under your plan i dont think it will be covered, but doesn’t hurt to ask.
a lot of folks use SEI with good results. They do have a good warranty. On an older model boat i would think thats the intelligent choice vs rebuilding or new OEM.
alternatively you may find a good used one on craigslist or ebay. If its been pressure tested and the gear lube is clean should work ok

 

[Yegboats]

Contact your insurance company and see if you have under water collision insurance, also maybe ask them since it's an older boat how much they would cover before writing the boat off. If you do have under water collision, Contact your local dealer with your drive serial number and have them do a quote up for for both OEM and SEI. In their quote have them Include installation, and inspection labor for anything else that may have been damaged. "The dealer may want to inspect it first for the quote" Depends on the dealer. "Depends on the insurance company"
On a boat that's over 30 years I'm not sure at what point they may write it off completely.
Yes OEM is more robust and better quality however on a 30+ year old boat I don't see it being worth it if you are paying yourself. It's hard to beat SEI warranty.

 

[Mkos1989]

Im going to call this morning and see what they can do. The boat is 32 years old but its in pristine shape and always stored inside.

 

[pachanga58]

I have a 1989 27ft Sea Ray with twin 350s. I replaced one Mercruiser outdrive with a SEI outdrive 5 years ago. Still going well, and just a side by side comparison, The SEI has a noticeable gear whine. Other than that, performing the same as the Mercruiser outdrive. Definitely cost was my decision point.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Not all sei drives will whine. Their warranty is 3 years,unconditional .Merc doesnt offer that. Drive on my current boat is a sei,not a sound

 

[jimmbo]

Sounds, No Pun intended, that they didn't get the Shimming Right