Oem or Generic

[Fishin is life]

I'm glad you made this post....Coming from someone who has had 4 different lower units on their boat this year, I can speak first hand....Hit something in the spring and tore the lower unit up, no biggy, insurance covered it thought it was fixed...WRONG...The mechanic who fixed it chose to put an aftermarket lower unit on my boat, about the 3rd or 4th trip out, and after going through the manufacturers recommended break in, my prop shaft breaks in half and I lose a prop....Take it back to the mechanic, they say it must have been a faulty unit....He gets another from the same company, warranties my prop, and puts me back on the water....About the 3rd or 4th trip out, break a prop shaft and lose another prop...I'm getting livid by this time, and take it back to the mechanic...Tell him I don't want anymore aftermarket junk, I want a Yamaha lower unit....He orders one from Yamaha, warranties my prop, and puts me back on the water....Have had it back for about 4 or 5 months with no problems

Working on cars for a living as I do, I see a lot of aftermarket parts go through our shop as insurance companies are starting to lean on them more heavily...Again, I can tell you first hand, aftermarket is JUNK...9 out of 10 parts don't fit properly and have issues...OEM, 9 out of 10 times, the part is what it should be

I'll get off my soapbox now, just had to blow off a little aftermarket steam

[lilmule]

Nothing wrong with a lil soapbox,that particular one reuses the old one(main shaft).
Had a buddy that also got a Jasper powerhead three times as each one was inferior and didnt last past warranty.
And one does have to compare apples and oranges,what suits one,does not always another.
And I consider it a welcome darkside addition.
Pros and cons to both
And I might add it was wrong for him to use non oem parts without asking,makes one think the difference went somewhere.Generally the customer is aware of it and happy with some savings but not always.Maybe linked to insurance company?