Yamaha Stern Drive 5.0 about to purchase

[kev_79]

All,<br /><br />I am looking @ a boat with a 5.0 Yamaha stern drive. I've always had good luck with Yamaha products but they have all had wheels. I have been reading some posts here on iboats, and I am, so far, concerned that it will be hard to find a mechanic and parts may be scarce. Have they stopped producing these units and are there any known "major" problems with these units.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Kevin

 

[Bondo]

Re: Yamaha Stern Drive 5.0 about to purchase

are there any known "major" problems with these units

Ayuh..............<br />You Can't but Any Parts............<br /><br />Don't Do It..........

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Yamaha Stern Drive 5.0 about to purchase

There never were an abundance of places that worked on those. Tough reliable unit. But yup, spare parts ain't out there much. I'd say that's the major problem that kills the deal.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Yamaha Stern Drive 5.0 about to purchase

hello<br /> I will third the opinion. they were good units but I think production ceased about 95. they only made them 2 or 3 years then.<br /> my advice would be to find a boat with a cobra,or volvo or merc unit. that is if you desire a stern drive.

 

[Don S]

Re: Yamaha Stern Drive 5.0 about to purchase

I will forth the opinion on the Yam, plus add that the OMC is also out of buisness and has been for many years, so parts for them are also almost non existant for some models and getting worse every year since new parts aren't being manufactured for the drives, and not all parts are being made by after market companies either.<br />If you want a boat with "Still in production" equipment, you need to find one with Mercruiser or Volvo power.

 

[kev_79]

Re: Yamaha Stern Drive 5.0 about to purchase

Thanks so much for the info on the Yamaha. It sucks b/c the boat is a good deal, but I'd rather know the truth.<br /><br />Anybody want to try to talk me into it? <br /><br />Thanks,<br />Kevin

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: Yamaha Stern Drive 5.0 about to purchase

I won't try to talk you into it but I have a 93 Sierra 16ftr with the 3ltr Yamaha that other than the fried upper bearing in the outdrive has performed well for me.I bought it used in 99.<br /><br />It is like all others if PROPERLY maintained with preventive maintenance.<br /><br />We will probably hear from the "Resident Yamaha Guru" aka Capt. Ken at some point during the day.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Yamaha Stern Drive 5.0 about to purchase

Sorry but I'll have to differ the opinion. It appears that I may be one of the only dealers for the sterndrive left on this planet. So far parts haven't been too major a problem finding. In fact, some of the parts are back in production in Japan. Now instead of them saying No Longer Available when you check online, they say its available from JPN. The units were produced in 89 and 90. Boat builders warehoused the units and used them thru 1995. They are one of the most bulletproof drives ever built and rarely have probems. Parts are available if the mechanics take time to look, but does take some hunting if you are unfamiliar with the unit. I get alot of boats with the Yamaha sterndrive from neighboring states due to no one wanting to deal with them. The sterndrive is probably one of the better buys if you can find a freshwater unit in good condition. The fear of the unit has driven prices down and to the savy boat buyer, not a bad thing.

 

[kev_79]

Re: Yamaha Stern Drive 5.0 about to purchase

Thanks again for the reply's. The unit I am looking @ may be a salt water unit, I can't be for sure. I am not fimiliar with the problems that salt water cause and my concern is whether there a lot of "normal" problems that need special tools?<br /><br />If this is the case, I don't want it, but if I am able to work on it if it breaks, then I'm game. I wouldn't necessarily mind paying a few extra bucks for a part as long as I don't have to drive down to Panama City to have it put on <br /><br />Kevin

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: Yamaha Stern Drive 5.0 about to purchase

What? Who wouldn't want to visit the World's Most Beautiful Beaches. Home of Girls Gone Wild during Spring Break and MTV. One of the wonders of the world. That is, ya wonder how them college students survive six weeks of drinking, partying and sex. Ahhh, to be young again and know what I know now.