Merc 85 hp year model identification

[Texasmark]

Caught myself telling a lie yesterday. I was talking about an 85 hp Merc 4 cyl I had back in the '80's (I THINK) and said I bought it without power trim. Well that was the first lie because I distinctly remember running over a concrete anchor to a marina at considerable speed (making a U-turn in unexpected shallow water) and sheared about 1" (clean as a whistle) off my skeg.

Second one I have told on here is that it is an '84 year model. Well yesterday I began to question that. Mind does funny things.

However, I do specifically remember that the name on the side of the cowl was: mERCURY (note the lower case m) and it wasn't banded. Rather it had stripes down the side that were horizontal till you got to the very rear and then they just fell off to vertical and stopped. I remember a bright red and a bright blue or blue/green (can't remember) and may have been one more stripe.

I know that this setup was used for several years.

Would you mind telling me what those years were?

Thanks,

Mark

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Merc 85 hp year model identification

The 850 4 cylinder was made from 1973 to 1977 and the 1977 had decals like you describe.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Merc 85 hp year model identification

The 850 4 cylinder was made from 1973 to 1977 and the 1977 had decals like you describe.

That's it. You nailed it dude. I knew you would come through. Now I can quit lieing.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Merc 85 hp year model identification

The 850 4 cylinder was made from 1973 to 1977 and the 1977 had decals like you describe.

Unrelated to the question, I noticed that one of your treasures was a HydroSport.

Back in the days of the 150 Tower prior to the V6 revolution, I was fishing Lake Tawakoni in NE Texas one day.

Lo and behold, here comes this Blue hot dog boat with this tower on it (Blue Hydrasport with a 150 tower) and it was processing the mail I assure you. Anyhew, there was a slow boat coming the other way and this "rig" I mentioned vaulted over the wake, boat and engine in the air and all I could see the prop turning in the air with the boat probably 2 feet off the water.......was most impressive and shall not ever forget it.

My usual unimportant rambling 2c.

Mark