Mercury 850 85hp. Good engine or stay away?

[airshot]

Unfortunately these boats always rot from the bottom up so near the bottom of the hull is where you should test. Lowest point on the transom wood and same with stringers, closest to the bottom. If garaged that is a big plus, just be sure the structure is sound before taking family and friends out.

 

[redneck joe]

good deal

 

[Bman2895]

Unfortunately these boats always rot from the bottom up so near the bottom of the hull is where you should test. Lowest point on the transom wood and same with stringers, closest to the bottom. If garaged that is a big plus, just be sure the structure is sound before taking family and friends out.

How exactly does one test this without doing damage? I don't intend to go tearing into the boat or drilling holes. Transom feels strong and the floor feels solid. Also these boats don't really have any under floor access. Atleast that I'm aware of.

 

[redneck joe]

are you planning to add a depth finder? If you are then those holes will be your test holes.

Most people nowadays mount a thick plastic or starboard piece with 5200 all slathered in behind it. So you would drill the hole to check that, if all is well continue with the starboard with way too much 5200 that you can wipe off with acetone. Then do the transducer or the depth finder.

 

[airshot]

Test holes are drilled on the inside and do not go thru, just deep enough to get into the wood skeleton....if the chips are wet and dark colored there is rot, but if the chips are dry and normal wood color your safe. Holes can easily plugged with marine sealant. Small holes of a 1/4" are all that is needed. Glass boats over the age of 40 are rarely are rot free.

 

[Bman2895]

Got it out on the lake today and its running great. Zero issues. Its pretty quick out of the hole. I do wish I had power tilt/trim. Should probably figure out a tach for it as well

 

[jimmbo]

How long is your boat? What pitch prop are you running on it?

 

[redneck joe]

others will know if it Rams to the left and right of the motor and the pump inside in the bilge.

 

[racerone]

Correct----Pump and reservoir are inside the boat.----And 2 external rams beside the midsection.-----Lots of used ones available.

 

[Bman2895]

How long is your boat? What pitch prop are you running on it?

16ft. And id have to look this evening.

Correct----Pump and reservoir are inside the boat.----And 2 external rams beside the midsection.-----Lots of used ones available.

Do you know if you add the switch to the controls or if its something id need to pick up a different set of controls?

 

[redneck joe]

16ft. And id have to look this evening.

Do you know if you add the switch to the controls or if its something id need to pick up a different set of controls?

it is a seperate switch. Find them on ebay for original however [again others will correct me] but it is just a switch so any appropriate switch should work.

 

[Chris1956]

The original PTT control was a rectangular panel with three push buttons. The middle button trimmed the motor up. Pushing the top and middle buttons together, tilted the motor up. The lower button tilted (or trimmed) the motor down.

The original PTT unit could trim the motor under full power, up all the way out of the water. Newer PTT units cannot do that, so the need for a trim button is moot.

The original controls did not have a built in PTT switch, however, if you have a control with a PTT button, the original PTT system can be wired to it easily.

 

[Bman2895]

Prop pitch is 19 also

 

[Texasmark]

others will know if it Rams to the left and right of the motor and the pump inside in the bilge.

My 850 had PTT and the rams were on an extension of the vertical pivot pin.

 

[jimmbo]

I suspect a 17 would be a better choice for your boat.

The Rams were attached to Brackets that were bolted to the Transom in their right. The Pivot Point for them was far from the motor's Tilt Tube. They were also attached to the motor's Swivel Yoke