What a camping trip..........took my 16ft Gregor and my virtually brand new electric start 25 HP Merc outboard on a fishing trip in the wilderness.<br /><br />First night there was a vicious wind storm. Even after taking all precautions against water going into the boat .......... water did get in. I even had moved the battery which had the Merc and a Minn Kota electric attached to it. But the waves hit the boat so hard during the night that the battery was tossed into the back of the boat which was filled with water.<br /><br />In the morning, to my horror, I saw the battery totally submerged with the cables still connected. I know, I know, I should have disconnected them before the storm :-( <br /><br />Anyway, I disconnected the battery and dryed it off. Later I hooked up my Minn Kota and no problems. Then I hooked up the Merc and had no problems starting up the motor! But then .................... I went trolling for a bit with the Merc almost at idle. During this time I had not used my Minn Kota yet it was still hooked to the battery. I just tested the power once by selecting the power tester on the Minn Kota .............. anyway, back to the trolling with the Merc........... I trolled for only about 30 minutes and things were fine until I shut things down and beached the boat.<br /><br />Then!........... noticed a burning smell coming from the motor and saw blue smoke coming from under the cover. I quickly disconnected the battery cables and then removed the motor cover. <br /><br />Okay, so this is what I saw........... the rubber assy which is at the base of the motor housing and surrounds the shift linkage which it turn is connected to the motor release catch........ is all melted and mostly gone. And I noticed that a black block (sorry don't have a better name ) that is above the rubber assy is hot and covered in a soot. <br /><br />I know I need to have repairs done of course but wonder if anyone has any idea what may have happened here? ......... also I can't tilt my motor forward any longer because the catch latch rod won't lift as high anymore. So during the rest of the trip I just pulled up the Shallow Drive lever and that was enough to release the catch .........<br /><br />Thanks a bunch!<br /><br />Peter
<br /><br />Peter