Well my new project boat was launched, so it seems like a good time for a
brief update on that SEI aftermarket alpha drive.

Friday, I finished painting the bottom and filled the new outdrive with
Mercruisewr HP gear lube (per manufacturer's specs). No leaks, always a
good sign.

Saturday, before launching, I dipped he outdrive assembly in a large vat
of water and started the engine. After then engine warmed up to normal
operating temperature (I wanted to change the oil), I proceeded to shift
the outdive. The drive went in and out of forward without a hitch, but
stalled when shifting into reverse. The mechanic who installed the shift
cable, said: "don't worry, that adjustment is my job".

We launched the boat later that afternoon and the mechanic had some
difficulty (a whopping 15 minutes) getting the shift throw adjusted, but
managed to get the drive to consistiently shift betwween forward and
reverse without stalling. Because this adjustment seemed more "finicky"
than he was accustomed to, I asked if would cause a problem down the road
after the shift cable broke in. He replied that this adjustment is a "set
it and forget it" task.

Early Sunday evening we pulled out of Huron Lagoons Marina motoring up the
river at various RPMs according to the manufacturers break in
specifications. We throttled up at the channel marker 1/4 mile off shore
from the light and proceeded our westerly run to our homeport, Sandusky,
varing the engine RPMs and trim (both outdrive and tabs).

I still consider this somewhat of a project boat, so my guess is I will
probably put far less than fifty hours on the outdrive before I pull out
for the season; however I will keeep this group informed of any problems
as well as how the oil looks when I go to change it. Until that time, so
far so good.

Bob Dimond