Anodes
Can I get the trim tab anode in black to match my drive?
No, and it would defeat the purpose - the trim tab on an Alpha drive is sacrificial, so painting or coating it stops it doing its job. It's supposed to corrode instead of your drive. Leave it bare and replace it when it's consumed.
Do I have to split the drive apart to replace the skeg anode?
No. There's an access hole above the anode - put a 3/8" Allen key through it and remove the bolt that holds the anode on. The bolt itself stays captured between the two halves, but you can reach and turn it through that hole, so the drive stays together.
Do older Bravo drives use the same anodes as newer ones?
No. An older Bravo carries a single anode that mounts under the cavitation plate, and it doesn't use the round anodes found on the later drives. That's why the anode kits are split by era - fitting the newer round anodes to an older drive isn't correct.
Do you offer a flat trim tab anode with no fin?
Yes, the flat (no-fin) trim tab anode is available, but it's sold separately rather than as part of the anode kit. Add it alongside whichever anode kit matches your lower unit.
My new Mercury lower unit didn't come with anodes - where do I get them?
Anodes are sold separately from the lower unit. We offer a complete anode kit for each unit family, and if you only need one piece - the rectangular bolt-on anodes, for instance - we sell those individually along with the correct bolt and nut. Tell us which unit you have and we'll send the exact part numbers.
Should I remove the paint from my new trim cylinder end caps where the anodes mount?
No - that isn't needed. The trim cylinders are grounded to the rest of the transom assembly through the mounting bolts, which makes all the electrical connection the anodes need. Stripping the paint won't improve protection, and if anything it just gives corrosion a place to start.
Should I use zinc, aluminum or magnesium anodes?
Zinc is the choice for salt and brackish water, aluminum for fresh, and magnesium gives the best protection in fresh water specifically. Our kits come in different materials for exactly this reason, so tell us what water you boat in and we'll match the kit to it.
Where do I find the anodes for an OMC or Evinrude lower unit?
We carry both the trim tab anode and the lower unit anode for our OMC-application units (SE304, SE305 and SE306 families). Tell us which lower unit you bought and we'll link the matching trim tab anode and anode kit.
Which anode kit fits my MerCruiser Bravo Three?
There are two Bravo Three anode kits - one for 2004-and-up drives and one for pre-2004 - so check which era your drive is before ordering. Also read the kit description carefully, because one version is zinc and the other is aluminum. If you tell us your drive and where you boat, we'll point you at the right one at 813-925-7127.
Which trim tab anode fits my Yamaha 115?
The SE405 anode is the trim tab for the 115 applications. As with all anodes it's sold separately from the lower unit. Send us your outboard model number and we'll confirm fitment before you order, since the anode differs between our unit families.
Bellows
Which bellows kit do I need - sealed or greasable gimbal bearing?
It depends on the year of your transom assembly. A quick check: if there's no grease zerk on the starboard side of the transom assembly, you want the sealed bearing version of the kit. Tell us the boat year and which drive is on it and we'll send the right one - we offer the Gen II bellows kit in both greasable and sealed configurations.
Corrosion
Are your trim systems suitable for salt water?
Yes - we sell a great many of them here in Florida. As with any component in salt water, apply corrosion spray to the unit initially and then annually, and wash it down properly after use. Anything that actually sits in salt water rather than being trailered should also be painted with a coating intended for that.
My boat lives in salt water - what else should I do to protect the drive?
If the boat sits in salt water permanently, it's worth using a copper-free antifouling paint made specifically for outdrives - copper-based bottom paints accelerate corrosion on an aluminium drive. Keep up with anodes, touch the paint up yearly, and rinse and clean the drive regularly. Those habits make a bigger difference over a season than anything else.
Drive Shower
What is a drive shower and do I need one?
A drive shower sprays water over the drive while you run. We recommend it if you get the boat up on plane and keep it there for longer periods, since that's when the drive gets the least cooling water over it. It's an inexpensive add-on and it's listed in the related items on the drive's product page.
Gear Lube
Do you sell a gear lube kit with a pump?
Yes - we sell a kit that comes with 2 quarts of gear lube and the fill pump, which is the easy way to cover it in one order since every unit ships dry. It's listed in the related items at the bottom of each drive's product page.
Gimbal Bearing
Is the Bravo gimbal bearing sealed or greasable?
The Bravo is typically a sealed bearing. If you'd prefer a greasable one, the Alpha greasable bearing is the part to use. When ordering a bellows kit we'll ask which you need, because the kit differs between the two.
Should I fit a greasable or a sealed gimbal bearing?
The Gen I always came with a greasable gimbal bearing, so if you'll keep up with greasing it, staying with greasable is fine. If you'd rather have one less thing to think about, a sealed bearing is a good upgrade - remove the zerk and plug the grease passage. Check which you've bought: a greasable bearing still needs grease added through the zerk on the transom bracket.
Props
What propeller do you recommend for my boat?
We don't make propeller recommendations - we're not prop specialists and the right choice depends on your hull, load and how you use the boat. A local prop shop is the right place for that conversation. What we can tell you is your gear ratio and shaft length, which are what the prop shop will need from you.
Recommend
What else should I get with a new drive or lower unit?
The two most-recommended add-ons are the installation kit (gaskets/seals/hardware) and the anode kit. Depending on how you run, a skeg guard and a drive shower are also popular. They're all listed in the "related items" on each product page, and we stock everything you'd need.
Recommendations
What do I need besides the lower unit itself to finish an Alpha lower replacement?
At minimum you'll want the installation kit, which carries the gaskets, seals and mounting hardware, plus an anode kit since anodes aren't included. We offer zinc anode kits for salt and brackish water and aluminum for fresh - let us know which you're in and we'll match it.
What else should I check while the drive is off the boat?
With the drive off you have easy access to parts that are a lot of work to reach later, so it's worth inspecting the bellows, the trim cylinders and the shift cable while you're in there. We sell bellows kits and trim cylinders if any of them are due. It's much cheaper to replace a marginal bellows now than to pull the drive again in a season.
What else should I order along with a new drive or lower unit?
The two we recommend on almost every order are the installation kit (gaskets, seals and hardware) and an anode kit - anodes are not included with the unit. Depending on how you run the boat, a skeg guard and a drive shower are popular additions, and you'll need gear lube since every unit ships dry. On each product page you can scroll down to the related items and see everything that goes with that unit. We stock all of it, so it can ship together.
Skeg
Can I run a torque tab or hydrofoil on an SEI lower unit?
A torque tab is no problem on our lower units. The one caution is that any modification becomes your responsibility if it causes a failure - for example, if a hydrofoil is fitted and someone steps on it and cracks the case, that break isn't a warranty item. Beyond that disclaimer, we have no issue with them.
Skeg Guard
Do you make a skeg guard for Yamaha lower units?
Yes. One Yamaha skeg guard covers our SE416, SE418, SE421, SE422, SE428 and SE429 lower units, and we make separate guards for the SE404 and SE405 as well. Tell us which unit you're running and we'll confirm the right guard before you order.
Which skeg guard fits my Johnson or Evinrude outboard?
It depends on the gearcase, not the horsepower or year - for example a Magnum gearcase takes the guard made for our SE316/SE318 units. Send us the full engine model number and we'll tell you which gearcase you have and therefore which guard fits. Any guard that fits the SEI unit for your engine will also fit your original gearcase.
Which skeg guard fits my Mercury lower unit?
The skeg guards are matched to the lower unit family rather than to horsepower, so the guard that fits an SE206 is different from the one that fits an SE216/218/221. Check the notes on the guard's product page and verify which size gearcase you actually have before ordering - if you're unsure, send us your engine serial number and we'll confirm.
Tools
Can I use the Alpha driveshaft seal driver on a Bravo drive?
No. The Bravo doesn't use the seals that driver is made for, so the Alpha seal driver won't do the job. Tell us which Bravo seal you're replacing and we'll point you to the correct tool.
Do you sell a gimbal bearing removal and installation tool?
Removal is normally done with a standard slide hammer and a two-jaw puller attachment rather than a dedicated tool. For installation we sell the gimbal bearing driver, but you'll also need an alignment bar for our adaptor to work against. The driver slides over the alignment tool or drive rod and drives the bearing into the transom assembly.
Do you sell the seal and bearing tools for MerCruiser drives?
Yes - our tools section covers the bearing retainer wrench, spanner wrench, hinge pin tool, bellows expander and sleeve installer, slide hammer, pinion bearing driver and driver rods. Tell us which drive you're working on and which seal or bearing you're after and we'll point you to the right tool.
Do you sell the tools to service my drive?
Yes - our Tools page has the seal and bearing tools for our drives and lowers. If you're not sure which tool you need, tell us the drive you're working on and the seal or bearing, and we'll point you to the right one.
Does the gimbal bearing driver need to be drilled before use?
No, there's no drilling required. The driver slides over an alignment tool or drive rod and is then driven into the transom assembly. Some people mark the grease zerk location at the four o'clock position on the tool or bearing with a marker, but that's just a reference mark, not a modification.
How do I pull a gimbal bearing with a slide hammer?
Use a two-jaw setup with the claws facing outward. Insert it into the gimbal bearing, tighten it so the jaws grip, then slide-hammer it out. A standard slide hammer with a two-jaw attachment does the job - there's no dedicated puller needed for removal.
What special tools do I need to rebuild an Alpha One Gen I drive?
First, get the service manual for the Alpha One Gen I - you'll need it for a job like this. Beyond that, the tool list depends on how far you're going: doing seals only needs far fewer special tools than doing bearings, which needs a considerably larger set. The best approach is to disassemble the drive first so you know what's actually worn, then buy to that list. We keep a list of the tool numbers and can send it over.
Will the bearing carrier puller kit fit a small Mercury gearcase?
That puller is a universal tool but it's typically used on the V6 gearcases, so on a small gearcase like a 40 or 50 HP it's likely to be too large and we can't promise fitment. Tell us the engine and gearcase you're working on and we'll say whether it's a realistic fit before you buy it.
Trim
Are the trim hydraulic lines included with new trim cylinders?
No, the lines aren't included with the cylinders - they're separate parts. You'd typically need two of the hydraulic hoses plus one port and one starboard hose, and the connectors. Tell us which drive you're on and we'll list the exact set for your application.
Do Yamaha OEM trim caps and seals fit your trim units?
No - the Yamaha OEM trim caps are different and will not fit our TT6007 trim system. We sell the replacement lower caps with seals as our Trim Cap Kit, and there's also a Tilt Cap Kit (part 9C-416-71K) that isn't listed on the website - call us at 813-925-7127 for that one. Note this is different from the lower units, where Yamaha OEM seals and water pump kits do interchange with ours.
Do you sell individual parts for trim and tilt systems?
Yes, though many of them aren't listed on the website - ram caps with seals, snap rings, manual release screws and similar are available but have to be ordered over the phone. Call us at 813-925-7127, tell us the trim system you have and exactly which pieces you need, and we'll quote them.
Do you sell trim motors for Yamaha and OMC systems?
Yes - we stock trim motors across several applications including Yamaha SHOWA systems and OMC/Johnson/Evinrude systems, and we cross-reference by OE part number. Send us the OE number or your engine model and year and we'll confirm a match and current stock.
My trim cylinder is leaking from the end - can I repair it rather than replace it?
Yes, you can change just the end cap. It's a little tricky because you have to keep the pinion assembly together while disassembling it. If you'd rather replace the whole cylinder we stock both port and starboard versions for Gen I and Gen II - tell us which side and which generation and we'll link the right one.
Which trim and tilt system fits my Yamaha F300 or 225 four-stroke?
The TT6016 covers a number of the larger Yamaha and Mercury four-stroke applications - it's cross-referenced by OEM part number rather than by horsepower alone. Send us your engine model number or the OEM trim assembly number and we'll confirm the match and current stock. Trim systems carry a 1-year warranty.
Which trim and tilt system fits my Yamaha?
Our TT6007 covers Yamaha trim systems from 1998 up across 115 to 250 HP, and OEM numbers such as 6CB-43800-01-00 cross to it. Give us your engine model number or the OEM trim part number and we'll confirm the cross-reference. Trim systems carry a 1-year warranty and ship pressure tested with fluid already in them.