Backorder
An item is on backorder - should I order now or wait?
Order now. Placing the order secures your place in line, and these go out strictly first come, first served as stock arrives - several customers a month miss out by waiting. You can always cancel for a refund if the date moves somewhere that doesn't work for you, though you'd lose your position. Estimated ship dates do shift a little with container schedules, so treat them as close rather than exact.
Checkout
My checkout says the billing address doesn't match - what do I do?
The billing address has to match the address your card statement goes to (the shipping address can be different - the site accepts both). If it still won't go through, verify the billing address your bank has on file, or call us at 813-925-7127 to place the order by phone.
Combining Orders
Can I add an item to an order I've already placed?
Usually yes, as long as it hasn't shipped - our shipping cutoff is 3pm Eastern, so call us at 813-925-7127 before then and we can add it to the existing order with no additional shipping cost. Tell us if you'd like the order held so you can add something.
I forgot a small item on my order - can I add it without paying shipping twice?
Yes. Place the second order and choose local pickup as the shipping option so it doesn't charge you shipping, then let us know - we'll ship it together with your original order. That saves paying a second shipping charge on a small tool or part.
Discounts
Do you offer a military discount?
Yes - we offer a 10% military discount with proof of service. Mention it when you order and we'll apply it. Call or text us at 813-925-7127 if you'd rather arrange it before checkout.
International
Can I ship to a US address near the border to save on freight?
Yes, and plenty of Canadian customers do exactly that - shipping to a northern US state can be a third of the cost of shipping into Canada. It can't go to a US post office box, but a shipping or receiving company is fine; just check with them that they can accept a box of around 50 pounds. You'd then handle the border crossing yourself.
Do you ship to Canada / internationally?
Yes, worldwide. If you're in mainland Europe, order from our European operation at seimarine.eu - that site is priced in euros and it also handles your warranty locally. Everywhere else, including Canada and the UK, is served from us here in Florida through sterndrive.cc, priced in US dollars. UK customers can be supplied by either, but shipping from Florida usually works out cheaper, so start with us. The website estimates shipping at checkout, and duties and taxes are collected on your end when the package is delivered.
Do you ship to Canada, and what does it cost?
Yes, we ship to Canada regularly - 10 to 20 units a week. Cost varies a lot by destination and size: a lower unit typically runs a couple of hundred US dollars, and remote postal codes cost more. Add the item to your cart and enter your address and the website will quote it before you enter any card details. All pricing is in US dollars, and duties and taxes are collected on your end when it arrives.
How much does shipping to Puerto Rico cost?
It's one of our more expensive destinations. Add the item to your cart and enter your address and the website will give you the exact figure before you enter any card details. For some customers it works out better to ship to a mainland US forwarder and handle the last leg themselves, so call or text us at 813-925-7127 if you'd like to compare the two.
I'm in mainland Europe - do I order from this site?
No - order from seimarine.eu instead. That's our own European operation, priced in euros, and it supplies customers across Europe. It's the faster and cheaper route for you than shipping from Florida, and it keeps you clear of a transatlantic customs process. Our European operation also handles warranty claims for European customers, so you wouldn't be shipping a unit back across the Atlantic.
I'm in the UK - do I order from Florida or from the European site?
Either can supply you, but in practice Florida is usually the cheaper option, so start at sterndrive.cc where pricing is in US dollars. Our European operation at seimarine.eu can also ship to the UK if that works out better for a particular order - it's worth comparing. One thing to know up front: UK warranty claims come back to us in Florida rather than being handled in Europe. Call or text 813-925-7127 and we'll quote you both ways.
What does shipping to Alaska or Hawaii cost?
Considerably more than the lower 48, and it varies by destination and box size - a lower unit costs far more to send than a small parts package. The website will give you the exact figure at checkout before you enter any card details, or text us your postcode at 813-925-7127 and we'll quote it.
What is the 10% tariff surcharge on my order?
That's an additional fee imposed by the governments on top of our normal costs - it doesn't come to us. We've kept it as a separate line rather than burying it in the product price. We work to keep our pricing low, offer a warranty no one else in the industry matches, and provide free technical advice, and the surcharge sits outside all of that.
What is the country of origin for customs paperwork?
The country of origin is Taiwan, where our units are assembled in our own factory, and they ship out from Florida. We can't tell you what your particular border will assess, but that's the figure customs will be asking for.
Why is express shipping to Canada cheaper than ground?
We don't get good ground rates into Canada, so FedEx express economy often works out cheaper than ground - the website is actually quoting you less than our standard rate in those cases. It's counter-intuitive but worth checking both options at checkout rather than assuming ground is the economical choice.
Local Pickup
Can I pick up my order locally?
Yes. We're in Oldsmar, FL (just outside Tampa) at 115 Forest Lakes Blvd S, Oldsmar, FL 34677. Place the order online and choose the local pickup shipping option, and we'll have it ready - in-stock items are usually ready the same day.
How does local pickup work?
Place the order online first - pickup isn't something we can do on a walk-in basis. At checkout choose "PICK UP IN OLDSMAR" as the shipping option, which removes the shipping charge (Florida sales tax will apply). We'll have it ready for you at 115 Forest Lakes Blvd S, Oldsmar, FL 34677; in-stock items are usually ready the same day.
Is it cheaper to pick up than to have it shipped?
Not always. On pickup you pay for the product plus Florida sales tax and no shipping; shipped, you pay tax and shipping but no Florida sales tax situation to worry about. For some customers the shipping cost is less than the fuel and time to drive here - if you're weighing it up, tell us your postcode and we'll give you the shipping figure to compare against.
What are your pickup hours and how do I arrange it?
Place and pay for the order in advance and choose "Pickup in Oldsmar" as the shipping option - we can't do walk-in sales, because the order needs processing and picking before it's ready. Collection is generally between 8:30am and 4:30pm on business days. In-stock items are often ready the same day with a few hours' notice.
Minimum Order
I only need one small seal - can I order just that?
A single small seal or O-ring usually falls below our minimum order value. Two options: add something else you'll need anyway to reach it, or take the OE part number from our product page and pick it up from a local dealer. We'd rather tell you that than have you waiting on us for a two-dollar part.
Order Holds
Why do you need my engine serial number before shipping?
Because the warranty is attached to the unit against your engine. We verify the serial matches the gearcase being shipped so that the right part goes out with valid cover - without that check we can't provide the warranty. It's also the last chance to catch a ratio or shaft length error before a unit that can't be returned once installed leaves our dock. Orders are held rather than shipped until we have it.
Why is my order on hold?
Almost always because we need to verify the engine serial number before shipping. We check the serial against the unit ordered so the right part goes out with a valid warranty attached - if the information supplied doesn't match the unit, we hold rather than ship the wrong thing. Reply with the serial number off the engine and we'll release it, often the same day.
Payment
I have Amazon Prime - do I get free shipping with Amazon Pay?
No. Amazon Pay is just a payment method on our own website, so Prime shipping benefits don't apply - the order still ships from us on our normal rates. You'll see the shipping cost at checkout before you commit.
Returns
Can I return a drive after I've installed it?
No - once a drive or lower unit has been bolted up it can't be returned. That's exactly why confirming your gear ratio before ordering matters so much; on a drive it's a several-thousand-dollar mistake to get wrong. If there's any doubt, send us your drive serial number or a gear tooth count first and we'll verify it at 813-925-7127.
Can you provide a return shipping label?
Yes, we can sell you a return label, and if you still have the original packaging we can usually do it at a discounted cost. Whichever way you ship it, write the RMA number on the outside of the box so we can identify it when it arrives. You're welcome to use your own carrier instead if you prefer.
What is your return policy if I order the wrong unit?
It's returnable as long as it's in new condition - no gear lube added and not mounted to the boat. There's a 10% restocking fee, freight isn't refunded, and you'd be responsible for the shipping cost back to us. Once a unit has been bolted up it can't be returned at all, so it's always worth confirming rotation and ratio with us before ordering at 813-925-7127.
What is your return window and policy?
Returns are accepted within 60 days for a new item in resalable condition. Once a unit has been installed it isn't returnable except under warranty, and adding gear lube counts as used. There's a 10% restocking fee, the original shipping isn't refunded, and you cover the shipping back to us. Write the RMA number on the outside of the box so we can identify it when it arrives.
Shipping
Can I have the delivery signature requirement waived?
Yes - we can ship without a signature required, but we need your instruction in writing first. We'll email you about it after the order is placed; reply to that email and we'll send it out without the signature requirement. Bear in mind that means the carrier can leave a large, heavy box unattended.
Is a signature required on delivery?
Yes, a signature is required when the unit is delivered. We can ship to any address you provide - including a business, a marina or a trucking terminal - as long as someone is there to sign for it. That's worth planning for on a large item.
What happens if my drive is damaged in transit?
A signature is required on delivery, so arrange for someone to be there. If a unit arrives damaged, do not install it - take photographs of the damage and send them to us and we'll handle it from there. Installing a damaged unit is the one thing that makes it hard for us to put right.
Why did my complete drive arrive in two boxes?
Complete sterndrives always ship from us in two boxes. Splitting them that way keeps them out of freight shipping, which saves you a significant amount on shipping cost and weight. If you've only received one box, check your tracking - the second is usually in transit right behind it.
Why do complete drives ship as two separate halves?
Two reasons: it avoids damage in transit, and it keeps the shipment out of freight, which saves you a significant amount on shipping compared with one oversized crate. The upper and lower go back together with the seals already in place on the lower - the installation kit has the short lock nuts for joining them.
Shipping Cost
How do I avoid a shipping charge on a small parts order?
Smaller parts orders ship free once they pass a certain order value, so if you're just under it, it's often worth adding something you'll need anyway - a shift cable or a seal kit, for example - rather than paying the shipping fee. There's also a minimum order value, so very small single items can't be ordered on their own; in that case take the OE number from the product page and pick one up locally. The cart shows you where you stand before checkout.
How do I find out the shipping cost before I buy?
Add the item to your cart and enter your shipping address - the website calculates the cost and shows you the FedEx options without asking for any credit card information. Rates change frequently so the checkout figure is the accurate one. If you'd rather not, call or text us at 813-925-7127 with your postcode and we'll quote it.
How much is shipping, and how do I find out before I buy?
Add the item to your cart and enter your shipping address - the website estimates the shipping cost for you, and you can see it without entering any credit card information. If you'd rather, call or text us at 813-925-7127 and we'll quote it.
Is there free shipping, and what is the minimum order?
There's a minimum order value, and smaller parts orders ship free once they pass a higher threshold - the cart will show you both as you add items. Large items such as lower units, drives and transom assemblies are always priced by their size and weight because of carrier dimensional charges, so those carry a shipping cost regardless of order value. Call or text 813-925-7127 if you'd like the current figures.
Why is shipping so expensive on a 30" lower unit?
The box for a 30" unit is classed as oversized by the carriers, so it picks up oversize fees on top of the normal rate - it's the dimensions and weight rather than anything we add. A few of the taller 25" units also ship in a 30" box for the same reason. Add the item to your cart and enter your address and the site will give you the exact figure before you enter any card details.
Shipping Time
How fast can I get it, and what expedited options are there?
In-stock items ordered before 3pm Eastern ship the same day. How long it then takes depends entirely on where it's going - we ship FedEx Ground from Oldsmar, Florida, so a Florida address can be next day while the west coast runs several days. Tell us your postcode and we'll give you a real figure, or the website shows it at checkout. We also offer 3-day, 2-day and next-day service, though FedEx doesn't guarantee expedited shipments and doesn't refund the difference if there's a delay.
How long do trim and tilt systems take if they're not in stock?
It varies a lot by model - some ship in 24 to 48 hours from stock, while others run anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months out when they're between batches. Because of that spread it's always worth asking with the specific part number rather than assuming. Text us the SKU at 813-925-7127 and we'll give you the current ETA.
How long does shipping take, and is the item in stock?
In-stock orders typically ship the next business day and take about 3 business days in transit to most of the US. Stock varies by product, so if you need to confirm availability or a restock date, call or text 813-925-7127.
How long will delivery take?
Anywhere from 1 to 7 days within the US depending on how far you are from Florida, with most of the country landing around 3 business days on FedEx Ground. In-stock orders placed before 3pm Eastern ship the same day. Expedited options are available, though FedEx doesn't guarantee expedited shipments and won't refund the difference if there's a delay.
What's the cutoff for same-day shipping?
Orders placed before 3pm Eastern on a business day ship the same day, as long as the item is in stock. We ship FedEx Ground out of the Tampa area, and most of the US is about three business days in transit. We're closed weekends, so a Friday afternoon or weekend order goes out Monday.
Stock
The website says out of stock - can you check again?
Yes, please ask. We hold inventory across more than one warehouse and it's occasionally been the case that an item shows unavailable when we actually have it. Text us the SKU at 813-925-7127 and we'll check properly and tell you either the real stock figure or the current estimated ship date.
What's the quickest way to check whether something is in stock?
Text us the part number at 813-925-7127 and we'll check it and send you a direct link to the item if we have it - you can then order online from there. If you'd rather order by phone that's fine too, though orders placed over the phone won't appear in your online account history.
Used Units
Do you sell used or reconditioned units?
No - everything we sell is brand new aftermarket, and we don't carry used units. Occasionally we have a returned unit we can sell for a little less, so it's worth asking at 813-925-7127 if budget is the constraint. We also don't accept cores, so there's no exchange programme.
Website
I can't find my unit on the website - does that mean you don't make it?
Not necessarily. Some units are in our range but not listed online yet, particularly newer models, and we can take those orders by phone. Call us at 813-925-7127 with your engine model number and we'll check properly - several customers have been told "not on the website" when we had the unit in stock.
The "shop by make and model" tool on your site isn't working - what should I use?
That feature is still being worked on. In the meantime, put your engine model number directly into the search bar at the top of the page and it will take you to the correct unit if we make one. Then check the technical or application tab on the product page to confirm your model number and year are listed. If nothing comes up, text us the model number at 813-925-7127.