I've been looking for alternative to TRS drives--pretty much same questions need answered--

Arnesons are great--BUT--require either transmission change from B/W to TwinDisc drop tranny OR lower engine several inches to get drives to right location on transon--big bucks and/or lotta work; the Arenson conversion kit is well done but prices project out of realistic reach for ROI;

Konrads seem well done and folks are super knowledgable--but you get locked in to proprietary parts and limited distribution and low volume sales make pricing too high to have good ROI on older boat;

I just found some info on a TRS to Bravo adapter at Outdrives.com -- I'm waiting for thier specs and prices -- we'll see if that's a viable alternative to traditional Bravo conversion PITA;

Nobody's talked about JetDrive's ??

I've got the Arensons but gonnahave to bail on that conversion because of cost and technical issue's--anybody interested ???

Anybody got any really creative TRS replacement success stories?

ROI???? hahahahahhahaha roflmao..... ROI?...... you own a boat and you are thinking about return on investment?...... didn't anyone ever tell you that the word "boat" is an aconym for Break Out Another Thousand.... and it doesn't come back..... lmao.....

well really it's Bust
Out
Another
Thousand!!

Either/or!.......... roflmao..... ROI.....

Bolt on a SM III

the ssm3 would require a new transom assemblie and a bunch o work

an ssm2 would jus tolt up. Not sure how much of a reliability upgrade taht woudl be though

how much you want for thsoe ASDs?

ss2's are worse than TRS's as far as servicibility and the boat would be slower with them as well. they are stronger though but very hard to find. Konrads seems to be the best replacement so far.

Forget bravos if you're over 400hp. The rebuild cost on a TRS is about the same as a new bravo and you'll be blowing bravo uppers faster than TRSs.
SSM IIs parts are almost non existant. Bolting it to the TRS upper will result in a drive thats's at least 2" too low. You'll go slower and props will cost $1000 each.
SSM IIIs are a good choice. I've done the conversion a couple times. Lots of work and cost though. Although no more than a Bravo conversion. Extremely reliable.
ASD? Not all boats run well with surface drives, so that's kind of iffy.
Not sure about Konrads.
Stick with the TRS, it's very reliable even on heavy boats with under 550hp.
My $0.02
Gary

My friend is throwing around the idea of getting Konrad's for his 38 ' Scarab. He says that they come with the bellhousing that bolts right into TRS transom assy for apx. 9 grand ea. Also Konrad probably isn't going out of business. Parts are avail. Whoever mentioned proprietary must also realize that Mercruiser is proprietary in many ways, even though other people make and sell parts for thier products, sometimes Mercruiser has you bent over when you can only get the item from them, and they give it to you good!!! If It was my money (if I Had the money) I'd go Conrad. Unless I could get SSM's for a real good deal. My 2 pennies BBB

Has anyone checked out the new Outdrives.com!
Transom Hole Adaptor Plates ?

It sure sounds good?

http://www.outdrives.com/plates.html