[klaucke]

I should have said, if you are crafty and watch the Want-Ad and Craigslist, I think you can score a whole spare outdrive for short money (less than $500). I don't know how much work at the dealer costs, but I imagine you're ahead of the game in the long run by just getting a spare powertrain. I scored my spare set up for less than $400 bucks, w/ motor (bad head gasket), gimball housing, outdrive, trim pump, etc. I have a full set of extra parts should something go south.