The Truth About Replacement Gearcases

I want to address a big problem in our industry that no one is telling you about.  The reason for this article is to clear up confusion when it comes to selecting a replacement gearcase.  You see, not all gear cases are made the same and just because the price tag is lower doesn’t necessarily mean that you are saving money in the long run.  The trouble is, it is impossible to see what is on the inside & even if you could see inside, would you know what you are looking at? Ultimately, what is inside that makes all the difference & since you can’t see inside, selecting a reliable rebuilder with an outstanding reputation is the most important factor when choosing a remanufacturer.

US Boatworks has been rebuilding lower units for over 30 years.  Our mechanics are Mercury, Mercruiser, OMC, Evinrude, Volvo certified and have been remanufacturing gear cases for over 30 years. Lower Units are our speciality so I thought we could take a look at the gear cases and lower unit parts in our parts room.  The parts reviewed below are the components that go into our remanufactured lower units.  The benefits of buying remanufactured lower unit are that you save significant amount of money over buying a new OEM gear case.  You can rest assured that our remanufactured lower units are always built to the strictest OEM standards.

Here is a look at our Lower Units Inventory.  First up are Mercuriser Uppers in stock, ready to ship.

Shown next, are some of our Mercruiser Gearcases.  These gear cases are remanufactured to the latest manufacturer specifications to allow for an excellent quality lower unit.  Mercruiser Uppers on the bottom rack and Mercruiser Lower Units on the top rack.

As we continue to journey through our enormous parts room,  we find Evinrude  and Mercury Lower Units.

The last two racks pictured here are OMC Lower Unit parts and Volvo Sterndrive Gear Case components     

The pictures above are a small sampling of the huge lower unit inventory at US Boatworks.  Visit our Lower Units page to buy Mercruiser Sterndrive gearcases, Mercury Lower Units, Evirnude Lower Units, Johnson Lower Units, Mariner Lower Units, Force Lower Units, and Volvo Penta Lower Units. Choose US Boatworks, the most reliable gearcase rebuilder around. We will keep you out on the water!

We are on a Mission!

We are a company on a mission to help boaters select the best replacement gearcase available.  While some boat shops will sell you an unreliable piece of garbage to get your sale, we won’t stand for inferior products.  Our mission is to be sure our buyers are educated about their lower unit choices so they can pick the best product for their needs and budget.  In this article I will discuss the three replacement choices and let you decide.

You may have been through this already, but if you haven’t beware – there are new, replacement, non-oem lower units on the market selling for very cheap prices.  The saying goes – “you get what you pay for” and that may be true in this case.  On the plus side, some of these non-oem products offer excellent warranties but what they can’t replace is your missed outings on the boat while you fix or replace the cheap one you purchased.  They can’t replace your time towing the boat back to shore, time (headache) taking the boat to your repair shop and time with follow up to get your boat back on the water.  Also, most of these warranties do not cover labor to have your repair shop diagnose and re-install a new unit. So again, buyer beware that while cheap, these units are not very reliable.

Next up on our education tour is the OEM (original equipment manufacturer)  unit.  This unit is made by your motor manufacturer (ie. Volvo, Mercury, Evinrude) and will contain original OEM parts.  Of course, with new OEM parts, this product will be the most expensive of the three replacement choices. Quality manufacturing is a guarantee and the unit will come with a nice warranty.  Warranties will vary by manufacturer so please check with a knowledgeable dealer regarding the warranty.

Remanufactured Gearcase

The third and final choice is a rebuilt or remanufactured gearcase.  This unit should be built by quality, trained mechanics with OEM parts.  These units offer the best of both worlds, giving you OEM parts, a unit assembled by trained mechanics in the US and a nice price savings over new OEM units.  This option is the preferred choice of most boaters.

If you are looking for a reputable remanufacture of lower units, check out US Boatworks in Kansas City.  We have been in the Replacement Drive business for over 30 years and know your motor inside and out. We offer personalized service and will get your unit to you with the exact specifications needed.  Insurance claims are always welcome there.  Our owner personally handles all insurance claims and is happy to talk with you and your adjuster to get the best deal for you.  We have been replacing outdrives for over 30 years.
Call us at 913-342-0011 or email us for more info.

 

Remanufactured Lower Unit availability and pricing from US Boatworks

Boat Maintenance Checklist

Spring is here and the sun and warm temperatures are not far behind.  Soon you will want to be out enjoying the sunshine and what better way to do it than to hit the lake? Before you make your first trip to the lake this year, it’s a good idea to make sure your engine is top running shape. Below is a list of some items to review before taking your boat out. This list does not represent everything you should check but does give good suggestions of where you should start. Please consult a certified marine repair mechanic prior to working on your boat motor.  It’s also a good idea to consult your owner’s manual for maintenance instructions specific to your boat model.

If you find you need parts or service, look no further – we can help you with both.  For the do-it-yourselfer, we stock boat parts, oil, filters, lube – everything you need to get your boat in tip top shape.  For the boat owner that would rather relax and let us do the work, bring your boat in for your spring checkup soon.  We will look over your boat motor and make sure your precious time out on the water is maximized with fun.  Our mechanics attend several weeks of manufacturer training every winter so rest assured they are experts in their field and care about each and every boat they service.  Feel free to check our on-line reviews for further evidence that you will be in good hands by choosing US Boatworks for Kansas City boat repair and service.

CHECKLIST:

Cables, Belts & HosesAlways check for cracking that occurred during winter storage.
Control cables with cracks or swelling on the outer layer may indicate need to replace.Belts should fit tightly around the pulleys to prevent slipping. A worn belt may have a black substance near the pulley & also may fit loosely.
Contact your boat repair center or order cables online to replace yourself.

Electrical ConnectionsCharge your battery and test it so you can be sure it will hold a charge. Electrical systems should be routinely inspected by a qualified technician.Review electrical connections for cleanliness and tightness. Check for corrosion which is often a sign that the connection may not be safe. Remove terminals and use a wire brush to clean connections and cable ends.

Propellers & Hulls

Inspect propellers for damage. Verify the propeller is properly secured.
If you experience unwanted vibration, poor performance and damage to the propulsion system, your prop may be damaged & need to be replaced.
Inspect the Hull – look for cracks & distortions. Clean the outside of your boat using an environmentally-safe cleaner.

FuelCheck your fuel lines for damage. Signs of damaged hoses can be either cracking, hard hoses or very soft hoses. Remember to check fuel hoses, connections and tank surfaces.
Insure clamps and fitting are secured.
Ensure the engine, exhaust and ventilation systems are also all functioning properly.

Fluid Levels
Check all fluid levels including
Engine oil- Change the oil if this was not done during winterizing. Include a new oil filter & change drive lubricants
Coolant
Power trim reservoir
Power Steering Fluid

Safety GearLifejackets need to be in good condition It’s important for passengers to have access to the correct size lifejacket for their body weight.
Onboard fire extinguishers must be the correct class for your boat, fully charged.

TrailerInspect trailer wheels, verify that tires are inflated to proper level.
Check that trailer straps are not worn and are holding properly.
Verify that your trailer is the proper size for your boat.

Go here for a more extensive boat maintenance checklist.

The team at US Boatworks is excited about the upcoming boating season and looks forward to keeping you out on the water all year.

Spring Boat Maintenance

 The calendar says it’s almost spring yet the 30 degree temps make it seem like a distant dream.  As we just entered the month of April, its time to think about getting your boat out of storage and begin your spring boat maintenance.  So, if you ask yourself,
“do I need to perform boat maintenance?”   or
“where do I start?”
this article is for you.

To answer the question:
“Do I need to perform boat maintenance?” The answer is yes.  Some simple chores done now and throughout the year can save you down time and repair bills down the road.  Review the owner’s manual for your motor to see what needs to be done.

“Where do I start?”
You have two choices
1) You are a do-it-yourselfer and like to get your hands dirty and enjoy the challenge of understanding the ins & outs of boat maintenance OR
2) You prefer bringing your boat in for service and sitting back and letting the experts handle it.  The good news is that US Boatworks has you covered no matter which option you choose.

For the do-it-yourselfer, we stock boat parts, oil, filters, lube – everything you need to get your boat in tip top shape.  We provide only Mercury, Evinrude or Volvo brand name oils that are recommended by your manufacturer.  Don’t be fooled by the cheaper auto oils and lubes.  Over time, you motor’s performance will suffer.

Should you need to order boat parts for your outboard or sterndrive, our on-line engine selector shows engine diagrams/microfische with the corresponding part names.  You can even add parts you need to a shopping cart if you desire.  If you are not certain of what you need, call or email parts department for friendly help with your purchase.

For the boat owner that would rather relax and let us do the work, bring your boat in for your spring checkup soon.  We will look over your boat motor and make sure your precious time out on the water is maximized with fun.  Plan on enjoying hours of worry free time on the lake by allowing the experts do the work.  Our mechanics attend several weeks of manufacturer training every winter so rest assured they are experts in their field and care about each and every boat they service.  Feel free to check our on-line reviews for further evidence that you will be in good hands by choosing US Boatworks for Kansas City boat repair and service.

The team at US Boatworks is excited about the upcoming boating season and looks forward to keeping you out on the water this season.