I replaced my outdrive for about $6K, from Outdrive Exchange in Costa Mesa about 1.5 years ago. I personally don't trust very many shops to rebuild, but a brand new one from Volvo Penta comes with a warranty, prefilled with gear lube, etc. I've been learning a lot about how many people claim to have detailed Volvo Penta experience, but then they just have their rookie mechanics do the work while the supposed 'expert' on staff works on other stuff (once again, my experience). I've even had to have my new outdrive re-shimmed. Heard a bit too much noise after 1 year, and determined that after everything wears in, sometimes a little play can develop.
As for taking it off, I took mine back off last month. Even after only having been on there for 1.5 years, I had to make a special tool to pull the large pivot pins. Once you get the outdrive off, you may notice you want to replace not only the bellows, of course, but the water pickup S hose, o-rings, bolts (about $51.00 for hose and a bit tricky if motor installed).
As for electronics, if I had a boat with a hard top flybridge, I would move into the integrated PC based stuff. But for now, I couldn't be happier with my Furuno FCV582 fish finder. I am still thinking about a newer GPS and radar someday.
Last edited by Wizard; 01-17-2006 at 01:28 PM.
Glenn (Wizard)
"The Reel One"
26' Billfisher