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    Stainless prop selection/questions

    Hi - I have a 2007 Princecraft 18.6ft fishing boat - with an 2007 150 Optimax. Boat runs great, seems to perform well, top speed is about 42MPH and hole shot seems find. I find it a bit squirelly at low speed but that might just be my ability. I would like to have a spare prop - currently it...
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    FIshfinder shuts off when engine starts - Optimax 150 and Hummingbird Helix 5

    Something odd happens occaisonally on my new to me princecraft 186. When I start the engine to move from one fishing spot to another the fishfinder (Helix 5 GPS) shuts off and takes a while before it allows m e to start it up again. A bit of background - Mercury Optimax 150 (still not sure if I...
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    Optimax Fuel Rail Removal - Questions

    I am getting ready to change the thermostats on my 2005 150 Opti and have read all the instructions out there. It seems pretty clear that there is no way to squeeze these out without backing off the fuel rail. This actually makes me a little nervous - these things look pretty complex....in...
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    Boat Lean/List pulling to one side

    So my new to me 18Ft princecraft 150hp hit the water for the first time today. Ran great except I noticed a pretty serious pull t one side (not to mention the bizarre growl of this Opti Engine...) - On correcting this with the steering wheel I noticed the boat was then leaning into the water on...
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    Optimax water pump saga continues...more questions

    Ok, after my first stupid post about removing the speedo pitot I have more doubts about what I am doing. I bought a complete kit for the water pump - included the lower housing, plate, upper, impeller and multiple gaskets and o-rings. 2 questions: I have a couple of o-rings leftover - one went...
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    Water Pump change - I'm stuck

    Hoping for some quick advice - Trying to change the water pump on my 2005 Mercury Optimax 150 - new to me - previous owner could not remember when it was changed last so I thought I should do it. I got the sucker unbolted but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get the rubber tube off...
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    Checking an Engine Serial Number

    I am very interested in a great looking fishing boat with an Optimax 150 hanging on the back. Problem is, the boat is a fair distance away so if I go to buy it I only want to make 1 trip. The current owner has sent me a bunch of info - printout of engine numbers, repairs (compressor and 1...
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    General Question about Engine Hours

    Guys, I am actively looking for a new boat (17-20 ft fishing boat with an outboard) - I ahve a general question about engine hours. I have seen some boats - 8 to 10 years old - advertised with 150 hours, and some others advertised with 800 hours. I get the basic difference but what is really...
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    Need advice - 2 Stoke Optimax option

    I'm looking for some opinions from the knowledgeable community on this board. I am planning to switch from my current sport boat (Bayliner 175) to something more suited to fishing which is what i do most of the time. I have the option to buy a 2005 Legend 16.9 foot fishing boat with a 115...
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    Over revving...spun prop?

    Took my 2005 Bayliner 175 out for a spin today. Engine ran great however I found that the boat was not as fast as it used to be - couldn;t seem to break 40mph and the tach was reading above 5k rpms...I know that these tachs aren't terribly reliable but last year at about 4800 RPM I could easily...
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    Is this a Gen 1 or Gen 2?

    Guy has it for sale - I might buy it - can anyone tell when Gen it is? Thanks in advance D
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    SE116 bolt on to a 2003 Alpha 1??

    I have an Alpha 1 Gen 2, 2003 model, 2.0 to 1 ratio on a mercruiser 135hp. Last season I punched a clean quarter size hole right through the housing. Managed to fix it with JB weld and used it for another 5 tanks of gas...pretty amazing, however I don't consider tis a long term fix! A guy in my...
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    Identifying an Alpha 1 Drive

    A guy in my area has a full alpha 1 gen 2 drive for sale - claims it is in excellent shape and was hardly used - because he bought the wrong ratio (odd story - need to make sure it's not stolen) He quotes the following numbers - basically told me to check these numbers to see if it will be a...
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    Alpha 1 Off for the first time - What to look for

    In a previous thread I asked for some advice on removing my drive for the first time (by me). The boat is a 2003 Bayliner 175 and the drive is an Alpha 1 Gen 2, 2.0 ratio connected to a 3.0L engine. The drive came off easily - the former owner used to remove it every winter to keep it from...
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    Alpha 1 Fitting - Leg removal etc...

    Due to some damage that occurred to my lower unit recently I am getting ready to make a decision on the best way to repair my drive more permanently than the JB Weld patch that is currently holding everything together. Pretty simple question here - will any Alpha 1 Generation 2 lower unit fit...
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    Rocks, JB Weld and my saved vaction

    So, day 2 of our week long vacation at the cottage - beautiful lake, perfect weather, family and my bayliner 175. Going for our first slow cruise around the lake after a day of wakeboading and tubing....Bang! I had lost track of where I was while navigating a narrow channel between a large mini...
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    Does this make sense - Need some validation

    Boat is a 2003 Bayliner 175, 135HP, Alpha 1. Current prop is the stock 14.25/21pitch. I would like to have a backup prop on board, just in case... I would also like to try a 4 blade. The local Marina suggest I got with a 14/19 Pitch. My current WOT is about 5000RPM (too high) and about 43-44...
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    Thermostat retainer, spark plugs - getting ready for summer....if it ever comes

    While witerizing my boat last fall. I had to bust the thermostat retainer to get the thermo out. I am referring to the plastic, round device that sits on top of the thermo and holds it in place. I will also need a new gasket and might just as well replace the thermostat as well. The boat is...
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    Reflections after One year a boat owner

    A little late here but I wanted to share some of my thoughts after having owned a boat for 1 season. Last May I purchased a 2004 Bayliner 175 (3.0L, Alpha drive). The boat was in great shape, I took it for a test run and it ran like a charm. So I decided to take the leap, bought it, towed it...
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    Finding he Freeze Plugs - Merc 3.0 I/O

    Guys, I have read through many posts on the winterization process. This will be my first time doing this. I am mechanically inclined and understand the process involved pretty well. I live in Quebec, Canada and we get pretty brutally cold winters so I want to ensure this is done right. I have...
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