yamaha stern drive

mikey3091

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Not sure if this is the right forum. I really don't have a problem, just a question. I am currently looking at a 1993 Chaparral 2360 for $7000. The boat is absolutely perfect. The engine has recently been rebuilt and only has 60 hrs. My problem is this: all parts mounted on the motor have been changed from the original yamaha to merc. The trim pump and hoses have also been changed to merc. From what I understand, this is great; however, the stern drive is still yamaha. I know very little about I/O's (currently own merc outboard). Is this still a problem if just the stern drive is yamaha? I understand that parts are unavailable for most yamaha I/O's, but half of the motor has been converted to merc (not 100% sure what this means). It doesn't seem to me as if there are many things to go wrong in just the outdrive. Please let me know if I am incorrect in this assumption. In all, the boat is perfect other than the crappy yamaha outdrive.
 

tie_one_on

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Oct 27, 2003
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276
Re: yamaha stern drive

$7000 for a 23' 1993 boat, I'd probably pass because of the Yamaha O/D. There are too many great boats in that price range (possibly that same year make & model if you really it) with a Merc or Volvo package. Add to the equation this thing has been victomized.
 

Bondo

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Re: yamaha stern drive

however, the stern drive is still yamaha. I know very little about I/O's (currently own merc outboard). Is this still a problem if just the stern drive is yamaha?

Ayuh,... Don't walk,... Run,.. Run as Fast as you Can to get Away from That Deal....

It Ain't No Deal....

At $700.00 it might possibly be a Sweet Deal....
At $7,000.00 it's a $ucker Deal....

There's Lot's of Things that can go Wrong with a transom assembley,+ Outdrive,...
Any 1 of which will leave you with Nothing but a Pile of Parts..... A pile of Mismatched parts at that...
 

Don S

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Re: yamaha stern drive

The engines are still a Chevy (Probably a 5.7, you don't say) engines, and many engine parts will interchange with Merc or Volvo parts, that can't be said for the outdrive and transom shield.
Look for a boat with a Mercruiser or Volvo outdrive (NOT OMC either). Then you will have something that parts and service is available for.
Way too many good deals on boats out there right now to be messing with something with a Yamaha outdrive on it.
 

mikey3091

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Feb 27, 2009
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Re: yamaha stern drive

The engines are still a Chevy (Probably a 5.7, you don't say) engines, and many engine parts will interchange with Merc or Volvo parts, that can't be said for the outdrive and transom shield.
Look for a boat with a Mercruiser or Volvo outdrive (NOT OMC either). Then you will have something that parts and service is available for.
Way too many good deals on boats out there right now to be messing with something with a Yamaha outdrive on it.

It is a Chevy 350. Thanks for all of the advice guys! He dropped the price to $6000, but after reading your posts, it's still not worth it to me.

Approximately how much would it cost to convert it from Yamaha to Merc?
 

Bondo

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Re: yamaha stern drive

Ayuh,... Slightly less than he's asking for the boat....
 

Don S

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Re: yamaha stern drive

Approximately how much would it cost to convert it from Yamaha to Merc?

Hard to say, what Merc? Alpha, Bravo? New, used, combination, you doing the work or paying for it to be done.
IS the cutout in the transom the same as Merc???? I don't know, you could need a new transom with the proper cutout.
 

Bondo

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Re: yamaha stern drive

IS the cutout in the transom the same as Merc????

Ayuh,... According to Capt. Ken,... They Are in fact the Same.....
 

mikey3091

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Re: yamaha stern drive

So no additional cuts in the transom will be made, but what will need to be replaced other than the outdrive...the bell housing and tilt??
 

Don S

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Re: yamaha stern drive

Everything from the flywheel back, including flywheel cover, coupler, exhaust Y, transom shield, inner transom shield, trim system, exhaust manifolds, risers and associated hoses and elbows, and if going to an Alpha,you will need additional brackets, shift cable and systems for the shift interrupt switch system.
 

JustJason

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Aug 27, 2007
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5,320
Re: yamaha stern drive

there's so much stuff you need to convert it all, your best bet would be to find a donor boat with a smoked engine but a good drive and transome plates....
But then you'd have 2 boats.
As everyone else is saying.... buy a boat with a drive package that is still current as in Merc or Volvo Penta.... those are the only 2 you'd want. You don't want Yamaha and especially don't want an OMC.
 
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