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    Why do I/O's have short engine life?

    I'm looking at 10-15 year old runabouts and I'm amazed at how many have new or rebuilt engines, usually a 4.3L v6. Given that in a car, that same engine should last 100,000 miles, or 1500 hours, easily (with only minor maintenance) why do these engines typically last less than 500 hours in a...
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    Noise, then Smoke.. Help, please.

    We arrived at the lake yesterday. The 65hp Merc fired right up and we spent the afternoon tubing. This morning, after tubing for 10 minutes or so, I ran out of gas in tank #1. I switched to tank 2, which I had filled yesterday with oil & gas. We started out again. After 5 minutes or so, at...
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    Johnson 150hp v6 - good engine?

    I'm looking at a boat with a Johnson 150hp v6. Mostly fresh water use, but I suspect some salt water use, also, due to the current owner's location and offer to test drive the boat on SF bay rather than towing it an hour to fresh water. Any input? Is this known as a good engine? Anything I...
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    Do I have Trim?

    I have a mid-'70's Merc 65hp. I have to pull a long pin out to adjust the tilt. But there are these little shock absorber thingies (well, maybe only one, I haven't looked at it yet this season) that attach the motor to the mount. Does that mean I have power trim, just not hooked up? Can't...
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    Recommendation for fast single tube

    I want to buy a one-man tube to lay on and go lots of sideways. Any recommendations? Dave
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    The old 3.0L question...

    OK - I've heard it a million times: If ya get a boat with a 3 liter, you'll soon wish you'd bought a boat with a bigger engine. I don't need to go 40mph, or pull 250lb skiers. If I buy a 19' bow rider with a 3.0 L Mercruiser, will it pull a slalom skier (say 170#) OK? What if the boat has a...
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    Tri Hull Weight?

    Does anyone know approximate weights of old tri hull boats, with trailer? I'm looking at O/B models, 17', 19', 20' and don't want to buy more than I can tow with my current Ford Freestar. (It tows my 15' tri hull just fine, almost effortlessly.) Dave
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    Buying Chrysler Outboard...

    I'm looking at a 1975 boat with a 90hp Chrysler OB. I've only owned Merc's. Anything I should be aware of? Are parts/service available? Thanks! Dave
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    Was replacing center floor enough?

    I'm looking at an older Bayliner 19' outboard bowrider. I asked him if he had done any floor work, and he replied that the center of the floor has been replaced. As I know that older Bayliners had some problems with soft floors, is it likely that replacing the center 18" or so, bow to stern...
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    Mercruiser 165hp - any good?

    I'm looking at a 21' boat with a 165hp Mercruiser w/ Alpha 1 outdrive. 1988 I believe. Any idea what this really is? (4.3L?) Would it be enough to pull up a 160lb slalom skier? Oh, yeah, the boat has a cuddy cabin. Dave
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    Is this a decent motor?

    http://images.craigslist.org/3nf3ke3lb5Pd5Sf5R69a102ea28d4e92217ed.jpg I'm looking at a boat with a Suzuki 115 (see photo). I have an old Merc. It's been dead reliable. Can I expect the same of this Suzuki, assuming compression is good and it runs OK on the water? Dave
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    Why multiple carbs?

    Why do outboards use multiple carbs, if keeping them tuned/timed/whatever is such a hassle? I know many sports cars used to do that, too, but why not a single carb (maybe a progressive 4 bbl) and an intake manifold, like most cars w/o fuel injection have? Dave
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    Grinding Shift Repair

    Engine grinds when shifting.... I have a 30 yr old Merc 650. It grinds terribly going from neutral into forward or reverse. I made it worse, I'm sure, by shifting gently for too many seasons. It also makes the boat difficult to maneuver at slow speeds, as when docking. So how do I fix it? Is...
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    starts, putts, dies

    Need help. Last week I uncovered my boat (merc 650) took it out for a half hour and it ran beautifully. On Sunday, I towed it 200 miles to an extended- family vacation on a lake. Launched, she fired right up. I putt-putted out past the bouys and opened her up. After about a minute she began...
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    Repairing Grind

    Engine grinds when shifting.... I have a 30 yr old Merc 650. It grinds terribly going from neutral into forward or reverse. I made it worse, I'm sure, by shifting gently for too many seasons. It also makes the boat difficult to maneuver at slow speeds, as when docking. So how do I fix it? Is...
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    Controls fit another?

    I have a 1976 Merc 650. I have a line on a 1974 Merc 80hp. Will my steering and shifter work with the bigger engine? If not, what would it cost me to get the right ones? Thanks, Dave
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    Why no Deck Boats in Calif?

    After reading many posts here, it seems that a deck boat would be a good choice for me. However, they are few and far between here in California. LOTS of bowriders, wakeboard boats and competition ski boats, but few pontoon boats and almost never a deck boat for sale. Anyone know why this...
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    Towing a 'Toon

    Pontoon boats weigh much less per foot of length than fiberglass hulls, I believe. But if my small truck nicely handles a 2000 lb. 16' boat, would it have a problem towing a 24' 'toon of the same weight? Dave
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    Cuddy + power?

    I'm eying a 19' Sea Ray cuddy with 170hp Mercruiser. Would this be enough to pull an adult (150lb) slalom skier? (With 4 more adults on board.) This would seem fine with a bowrider, as I could put a person or two forward, but with a cuddy? Dave
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    What to check for on used 'toon?

    I've got my eye on a 20 year old pontoon boat, made by Waco. Has Merc o/b. I know what to look for on the motor, but what - and how -do I inspect on a used pontoon boat? Also, any idea what these things weigh? (24 footer) Dave
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