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!

You’ll Flip over our Spring Break Special

Spring Break Savings from US Boatworks!  

Spring is here, Saint Patricks Day is a week away & we feel like celebrating.  What better way to celebrate than to save money? So, we are offering a price break for you.  When you spend $100 or more at our online store, save 10% on your boat parts order. Simply enter SPRINGSAVE10 at checkout to receive your discount. Choose parts from Mercury, Mercruiser, Evinrude, Johnson and OMC.  

At US Boatworks, we specialize in boat parts.  With over 2 Million parts in stock and ready to ship today, you will get your parts fast.  Most orders ship the same day.  If you can’t find what you are looking for in our on-line store, call or email us.  We have thousands more parts in stock that are not in our on-line store.

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I Damaged My Lower Unit – Now What?

Tips & recommendations for replacing your gearcase lower unit.

It happens – just plain bad luck – hitting an underwater tree stump, rock or other invisible debris & your lower unit is shot.  After you get towed safely back to shore and have a chance to regroup, what are your next action steps?  We have written this article to outline the step you should take if you damage your lower unit.  Use this as a reference tool as you navigate through the process of repairing or replacing your gearcase lower unit.

First off, if you think you have damage to your lower unit but are hoping that it will be okay if you ignore the problem, be aware that internal damage to your unit may not be noticeable right away.  Slightly damaged
gears may seem to work fine at first but over time the off-kilter gears will wear away and cause eventual failure.  We recommend you have your motor diagnosed thoroughly to determine if you have internal damage.  Check out this forum for further evidence: What smacking a boulder does to your lower unit gears.

We recommend calling the insurance company that has your boat policy before you do anything.  Some policies will cover accidental damage to your drive.  If your insurance policy covers the damage, your claims adjuster will give you instructions as to how to get your lower unit fixed or replaced.  Some insurance companies tell you where to go for a replacement unit or repairs.  Others will approve your repair/replacement estimate at the shop of your choice.  Either way, be sure you have a reputable boat repair shop that specializes in lower units.  Your local boat shop may purchase a replacement lower unit from a 3rd party for you so do yo
ur homework and find out where the unit is coming from. Three options for replacing your unit are discussed below.

The choices you have when replacing a lower unit include a brand-new OEM unit, a remanufactured OEM unit or a new aftermarket unit.  I will discuss the pros and cons of each below.

Brand New Manufacturer Unit

This unit is made by your motor manufacturer and will contain original OEM parts.  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.

• More expensive
• Warranty depends on manufacturer
• All parts are OEM
• Outstanding quality drive
• Usually ships in 24 hours

New Aftermarket Lower Unit 

The new aftermarket lower unit is usually manufactured in China.  The quality control is generally lacking on these units.  The up side is that they are significantly cheaper and some aftermarket manufacturers give a great, 3 year, fault free warranty. While this warranty is nice, it is a pain in the neck to deal with replacing the unit under warranty.  There is the obvious down time associated with diagnosing the problem, calling the manufacturer for warranty replacement, placing a replacement order, waiting for the unit to be delivered then waiting on the boat shop to install the unit.  Do your homework before purchasing an aftermarket unit!

• Better prices compared to OEM Lower Units
• Made overseas where quality control and trained mechanics are lacking
• 3 year, fault free warranty from certain manufacturers
• Built new to manufacturer specifications
• Includes all internal parts & is fully compatible and interchangeable with OEM drives
• Usually ships in 24 hours

Remanufactured Lower Unit

A rebuilt or remanufactured 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.

• Priced at deep discounts to save you money
• Rebuilt by trained mechanics in the USA
• Units usually include a full 1 year warranty but this will vary
• Built new to manufacturer specifications
• Includes all internal parts & is fully compatible and interchangeable with OEM drives
• Usually ships in 24 hours

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

Remanufactured Lower Unit availability and pricing from US Boatworks

DIY Boat Winterization Supply Guide

Winterizing tips for do-it-yourselfers:

This week daytime temperatures are dipping into the 60's and it finally feels like fall outside.  Enjoy these cooler temperatures by taking your boat out for a quick drive while you can.  Traffic on the lake will be at a minimum; you may have the lake all to yourself.  It may be a little chilly for water skiing and tubing, but it’s a delightful time for a nice drive on the lake or even spending the day fishing.

While you are enjoying the last few weeks on the lake, keep in mind that the task of winterizing your outboard or sterndrive is around the corner.  Winterization must be completed before the first hard freeze.

What is a responsible boat owner to do? You have two choices:

1. Have your boat engine winterized by certified mechanics
Our blog next week will cover tips on having your boat repair shop complete your winterization. If you want to get ahead of the rush, bring your boat into our shop now while the wait is minimal.

2. Winterize your motor on your own.
For the DIY boat mechanic, preparation is key in winterizing your boat.  Having the correct marine grade oil, lube and fuel stabilizer is important to prevent potential damage down the road.  Picking this up at the auto store or large discount chain is not the way to go.  If you are saving money by doing the task yourself, put some of that savings towards genuine Mercury Marine, Evinrude, Johnson or Volvo-Penta oils and lubes.   Below is a list of what you need before you begin winterization.  Stay tuned for more winterizing tips on this blog or search our archives for tips from previous seasons.

US Boatworks customers can enjoy 10% off your winterization items below when mentioning this blog- carry out only.

Outboard:
2 Stroke
Gear Lube
Fogging Oil
Fuel Stabilizer

4 Stroke
Anti-freeze
Fogging Oil
Fuel Stabilizer
Engine Oil
Oil Filter
Gear Lube

Sterndrive:
Antifreeze
Fogging Oil
Fuel Stabilizer
Engine Oil
Oil Filter
Gear Lube