I have a buddy looking for a Good lower unit for his 200hp 2.5L Merc. He's looked around S&F a little bit, but I thought I would check here as well..

He would like to have a Good complete unit & a LWP would be a big plus, It's going on a little "pocket rocket" so it would be getting one anyhow.. He's not really wanting a CLE, but would possibly consider one if the price was right..

Don't know of any off the top of my head, is he against using an SEI?

Not real sure on that one, and a good question.. For all practical reasons with the hull it's on and with the power being what it is they would probably be fine, however anybody have good knowledge of how they're holding up in the real world ??

He doesn't beat the crap out of his stuff by any means, however it would certainly get twisted up from time to time, and possibly a little more power added in the future..

I run one on a 24 Pantera with a 250EFI Merc outboard, boat is not crazy fast, but runs 60 regularly at WOT for long runs. I DID have one issue with the case, but they warrantied it no questions asked, cost me shipping one way, they covered the return trip. I dont think you can beat he price on a new unit, of course a good used OE unit is a possibility, but like any drive, if you dont know its history it is a crapshoot.

I agree with you on a used unit & would have to feel pretty comfortable laying out what we consider good money for something..

Didn't realize that your running one of the SEI's, you are pushing WAY more boat considering this is an 18' Hydrostream.. I'm not on the "up & up' about all the different models of the streams, but I would guess the hull weighs no more than 700lbs. orso an is probably running on a 14.5-15' bottom, and not very much of that.. haha..

I'll pass this along & we may be looking into that option.. What kind of issue did you have with your case ? I havn't searched arournd much about the SEI's b/c it never really crossed my mind, but seems like I seen somewhere else a while back about them being pretty good as far as warranty issue's..

He basically lost 75% or more of the lower skeg, along with the shaft, and dinking up the prop a touch as well... Just glad it wasn't at speed because it would have gotten very slippery very quickly

My case had a porosity issue, was leaking oil thru the case. What kind of RPM does he turn? Stock fishing 2.5, or a 260/280? While my unit ws in for the new case, they basically rebuilt it with all new seals, and it looked like they gave it a propshaft also, not sure why but I think they had a problem with a propshaft vendor at one point, and just werent taking any chances..

Gotcha on your case deal.. ;-)

To be perfectly honest I'm not sure how hard he spins it ? It's basically just a stock carbed 200hp 2.5 right now, and usually spins somewhere around a 26-28 Yamaha drag copy most of the time cruising around.. as I said he's not the type to just go out & beat the crap out of his stuff all the time.. However just as anybody else, he has the boat to play in and of course enjoy the way dudes do when the moment hits..

I'm sure it would vary depending on the situation, work load, ect.. but what kind of "turn around time" did you have on your warranty issue ?

Just trying to help him weigh out some options.. He's like allot of the rest of us are around here, he boats because he loves it, not because he can afford it.. haha !!

I've been running a SEI on a 150 merc 23' deck boat for a year. No problems. Artie

Shipped it on monday, had it back Friday, but travel time each way was only one day since they are in FL.

I have a good clean empty case (fresh water)