Conference vicki::boats

    Call Doug Russell's Marine in Worcester Ma.,  508-791-4917. 
    They also carry OMC parts. They always have an ad in Offshore
    with prices for engines and outdrives, (new OMC outdrives from $1965.)
                        
    Good luck
    Steve

The following is a copy of an ad from the classfied ad section of 
Trailer Boats August '89 issue.  There were ads for two other
places claiming 40% and 50% off, but they never mentioned anything
about them being genuine factory parts.

----------------------------------------------------------------
| 20% Discount on Genuine Johnson-Evinrude-OMC Parts, Props,   |
| Accesories!  Call us with part number.  Fast shipment. Visa/ | 
| Mastercard/AMEX/Discover                                     |
| Johnson's Marine                                             |
| Box 28                                                       |
| Longville, MN  56655                                         |
| phone: (218)363-2526                                         |
----------------------------------------------------------------

    
    
    I would avoid Doug Russel like the plague! I purchased a rebuilt upper
    gear housing assembly from him last year for $1500 for my 74 225 OMC
    I/O.
    A new one was $1600 and change- but- not one of 40 dealers I called in
    NE had one in stock and the factory was backordered with 3-6mo.
    delivery. His attitude was "I got it and there aren't any around" If
    you want it, you'll have to pay my price".
    
     Since I use the boat to commute to my summer iskland home- I was
    stuck- he knew it. 
    
     I giot a 90 day warranty. I put less than 20 hrs on this gearbox and
    when I put it in the water this spring- it ate itself.
    
     I took it apart, and found the nut ion the main drive shaft had come
    off and the whole thing was history. Called ol mr Russel- he could
    care less- 90 day warranty- wouldn't even look at it. There were lots
    of things that weren't broken that did not fit as they should. I am a
    fgairly competent mechanic and it was obvious that the "rebuilt" was
    done with a set of used and worn out parts.- like the drive gear that
    flopped around on the pinion- it was supposed to be a press fit.
    
     I checked with some dealers in the area who I am freindly with- 
    not too good a response.
    
     I ended up lucjking out thuis year - a freinfd of mine had a boat with
    a 1 year old NEW lower unit ( the whole leg)- he had a set of new
    manifolds, Fresh water cooling,trim tabs-and rebuilt block with a new
    carburetor. He was strapped for cash- got the whole rig plus a 19"
    Grady White runabout, 4 props without dings- delivered for $2000.
    
    
     THe going price for a used complete lower unit for the OMC I/O's
    ( not Cobra's) seems to be between $1500 and $2500.I guess your outdrive 
    is the COBRA outdrive based on it's
    age-finding a used one will be tough and I haven't found any dealers
    that discount on outdrives. I'm surprised OMC factory won't make some
    kind of adjustment- like selling to you at dealer cost or better yet,
    factory cost.
    
    BTW Doug Russel buys a lot of returned/reconditioned stuff from both
    OMC and Mercruiser and also buys out Bankrupt distributors. I was
    cautioned by  a freind who is a Force O/B dealer that even if it is
    new, it may be a reject from the factory that has been repaired. Not
    being an authorized dealer, you have to deal with this character for
    any adjustments, etc.
    
      I'll row before I do business with this guy again- Since it's over
    $600, I can't use small claims court and lawyer's fees  plus the time
    and aggravation would make a civil suitimnpractical. It's clear that a
    nasty letter from a lawyer is something this character could care less
    about. 
    
    PS anybody want a 19' Grady White runabout - set up for an OMC I/O real
    cheap????? 

RE: Note 464.3  


>>  PS anybody want a 19' Grady White runabout - set up for an OMC I/O real
>>  cheap????? 

What is the condition?  Location?  How much $$$$ ?  Is there a trailer?

Rick

    I'd never step foot in his dealership again. When USA Marine bought
    his dealership the guys at the parts desk used to love to hear people
    rag on Russell. He a good example of what a business man should
    NOT be like.

    Check the high end figure for small claims court again...$1500.00.
    
    _mb

    A slightly-related-to-the-base-topic-question:
    
    Does anyone have any first-hand knowledge of a good replacement
    engine-compartment blower for a 19" I/O boat? My 3-yr. old blower has
    been screeching in its bushings, and is now intolerable to use. Pulling
    it apart, I discovered a miniature motor built from the shabbiest of
    materials, and wondered how it's lasted this long...
    
    How about it? Surely some of the world-class boat-mechanix in here have
    been in this situation before and have invested in quality parts in
    order to ensure that it doesn't happen in the too-near-future. I'd
    estimate the value of my old blower to be at around 6 US dollars, based
    on how it's built. The motor looks like something out of a Tyco
    slot-car set.!.
    
    Mike

    
    
    reply to .7
    
     Most blowers are "commodity" items- they come in 3"" and 4"", flange
    mount and in line mount. Bliss Marine in Dedham will have  them at
    prices lower than a dealer as well as Boat/US  price should be arouind
    $15-$20 for an "average " unit or up to $ 35 for a quality blower.
                                           

    re: .7
    You got three years from your bilge blower? I have to replace them
    every year. I also put over 300 hours of run time on my boat every
    year. I would buy a cheap one, if it lasts too long, the salt will
    get it anyway.

    
    
    re.8- I'm with you- those in line blowers suck all that mioist air from
    the bilge - I get about two-3 yrs out of a blower. I found that giving
    it a good dose of BOESHIELD lubricant puts a nice sticky coating on
    everythng and helps get a little longer life.
    
    I'd like to find a long lasting blower- MIne is mounted behind my heat
    excahnger ( I have FWC) and I have to remove that to get at the blower.
    That's good for about 3-4 hours , a bad disposition and lots of skinned
    knuckles.
    
    Dick