Mercury 850 85hp. Good engine or stay away?

[Bman2895]

I run up a shallow arm of my lake and have not had that problem but i do not put on the tab.

When kicking over in the driveway before every trip, i do have to lower and prime. Raised to tabs and primed does not work.

82 model.

Oh I wasn't running it while up on the tabs. I'd kill it floating up to the bank go back pull the motor up put it on the tabs and then Coast it into the sand

 

[racerone]

The brown / copper decals were for 84 / 85 models.