Re: who has OMC out drives??
Been running an 800 stringer for 24 years. It did take a couple of years rest in the early 90's but has an easy 1800 hours on it. Many of them pulling multiple skiers and a 200 or so hours of salt water use. <br /><br />I don't have any alignment problems, no u-joint problems, no bellows problems or any of the other myriad of problems that are constantly talked about for Mercs.<br /><br />The outdrive will turn the boat within it's own length, will tilt up fast enough to avoid that un-noticed ski rope that you just ran over and will tilt up far enough to allow a prop change while sitting on the transom plus it doesn't wag like a dogs tail as I'm driving down the road.<br /><br />I am in the process of rebuilding my floor and upgrading my 302 to a stroked 331. With motor and outdrive out of the boat I thought I would take the outdrive down for a general inspection. I've only ever had one other impeller change and no other repairs. The lower unit was in excellent shape, I did have them replace two rather expensive water pump drive shafts as well as the impeller and housing. Total bill was $1K after 24 years. Not bad.