Winter project

[jons13569]

Hi,
I just bought a 1987 Sea Ray 268, for a winter project.
The boat is in overall great shape, needs some TLC here and there, and a good cleaning. The twin V6 / 205 Mercs, have 500 original hours.....both start right up.......I bought this boat for a winter project with the intentions of using it next year. The boat needs out drives, it is my understanding that they are Alpha 1, generation 1. Ive been shopping for them, however I have no idea what gear ratio they should be..........
I purchased this boat for $1000.00 dollars,knowing that the out drives are expensive.....looking for used ones....
Can anybody tell me the gear ratio I should be looking for?
and any other problem areas on this boat that I should be looking at?

Thanks

 

[JVM225]

Hi,
I just bought a 1987 Sea Ray 268, for a winter project.
The boat is in overall great shape, needs some TLC here and there, and a good cleaning. The twin V6 / 205 Mercs, have 500 original hours.....both start right up.......I bought this boat for a winter project with the intentions of using it next year. The boat needs out drives, it is my understanding that they are Alpha 1, generation 1. Ive been shopping for them, however I have no idea what gear ratio they should be..........
I purchased this boat for $1000.00 dollars,knowing that the out drives are expensive.....looking for used ones....
Can anybody tell me the gear ratio I should be looking for?
and any other problem areas on this boat that I should be looking at?

Thanks

I don't know that particular boat, but I might be able to steer you in a direction for used outdrives.
There is a guy on Long Island Craigslist that seems to be always advertising used/rebuilt Alphas. I think he is in either Massapequa or Amityville. The two towns are right next to each other and sit on either side of the Nassau and Suffolk County border.
Neither are a terrible ride from Jersey if you time it right.
I've never met him, or talked to him, I've only seen his ads on Craigslist so I can't vouch for him, but it might be worth a phone call to see what he's got to offer or what information he can give you.

 

[SCORPIO]

Also, check Sterndrive Engineering, they sell NEW aftermarket drives for Alpha and Bravo for VERY resonable prices with warrenty. If I have any major problems with my Alphas, I'm going to replace them with SE106 drives (about $1100 complete, direct from them).

 

[BlewByYou88]

I don't know what your plans are with the vessel, but I would highly advise getting at one drive unit with the counter rotating lower unit. You may have to get that brand new, but heck, if you only paid a grand for the boat, spending a few grand on drives shouldn't be any bid deal.

I'll check my ratios when I get home Sunday, unless someone else chimes in.

 

[JVM225]

I don't know what your plans are with the vessel, but I would highly advise getting at one drive unit with the counter rotating lower unit. You may have to get that brand new, but heck, if you only paid a grand for the boat, spending a few grand on drives shouldn't be any bid deal.

I'll check my ratios when I get home Sunday, unless someone else chimes in.

That's a great idea if you are starting with nothing. I just picked up a counter rotating lower unit for my 30' Sundancer. I'm waiting for it to arrive and investigating what else, if anything, is involved in the conversion.

 

[jons13569]

Thank you for all the replies,
I did call Sea Ray today, and they told me that the out drives that came with the boat were a gear ratio of 1.84/1 with a 21 pitch prop.
I am wondering if anybody knows if there is a difference or not between an out drive that came off a 4, 6, or 8 cylinder engine........I don't understand why there would be a difference as long as the gear ratio is right, but I am seeing them listed on Ebay by engine size........
Also, as I am new to twin engines, please explain what the advantages are of a counter rotating out drive.
Its my understanding that the counter rotating out drive is usually on the port side... As I need 2 out drives, I would like to know more on this....

 

[SCORPIO]

The gear ration will vary by engine size. A V8 would likely have a 1.5/1 ratio. Since a V8 produces more HP and torque than a smaller engine, it will need less gear reduction to move the load(boat).

 

[JVM225]

The advantage to the counter rotating will be in performance and handling.

 

[SevenTeas]

Props spinning in water produce thrust, the primary thrust is in the same direction the prop is rotating. There is however a perpendicular thrust component that will push the stern of the boat to one side.

Counter rotating one of the props will push the perpendicular thrust of that prop against the other prop and counter it out.

This is why most newer boats have counter rotating props. for practical purposes it really doesnt matter what side you put the reverse rotation prop on as the effect is the same.

 

[88dancer300]

JVM,I would like to know how do you like the counter rotator? What differences have you seen? I am thinking of changing out one of mine on my 88 300 sundancer. Sorry for hyjacking the thread. Dave

 

[JVM225]

JVM,I would like to know how do you like the counter rotator? What differences have you seen? I am thinking of changing out one of mine on my 88 300 sundancer. Sorry for hyjacking the thread. Dave

I haven't done it yet. I'm gathering the stuff and trying to get the information needed. I've spoken online to two people who have done it (or had it done) with their 30' Sundancers and both are very happy.
I've got a counter rotating lower unit on the way. As soon as it gets to me I'm going to order the prop. In the meantime I'm trying to gather info about any changes that need to be done to the shift cable at the control.
After that, I just need to arrange to have the boat hauled out so I can make the swap.