I am planning on replacing my 30 year old OMC Saildrive with a Beta Marine Saildrive BZ482 SD 13.5 hp installation this coming Winter/Spring. I have an Ericson 27 and would like to find a possible email mentor who has been through this process. At this time I am most concerned with the engine bed and possible no structural fiberglass I might have to cut out. Any feedback on installation, engine noise, vibration, possible diesel fuel smell and blower requirements would be appreciated.
I can put you in contact with Steve who installed his BZ482 saildrive 7 years ago. He has said that he will help you where he can and from my experiences with him I dont think that there is much that he cannot do around a boat. I expect that you will have a certain amount of glass work to do as you will need a new engine bed for the new engine. We supply this with the complete package. Please email me directly and I will give you Steve's contact phone numbers. You can get my email from the contact us page on our website.
Are you still thinking about this or have you finished with it?
I installed a BV1505 this past spring onto my saildrive and it went very well. I had to have new mounting plates made to connect the new engine mounts to the old engine mount holes but it was fairly easy.
