new to this site but like the way everyonel conducts themselves so i joined. I have a merc 115 thunderbolt on a boat that was given to me and i know the previous owner very well & have been out on the boat plenty of times and it always had trouble starting once in the water. O.k. i have pretty much have the starting problems resolved so i hit the water i take off just putting along to check everything out & after a few trips around the basin things look good. I give her some throttle we pick up speed,more throttle & looks good a little faster & it starts to rise up then it's like a car with a bad clutch the engine revs but i don't go any faster. I thought i had sheared the woodruff key so i go home & put it in gear and spin the prop and it met with plenty of resistance i also did the same thing in reverse with the same results. I do not know if that is a valid test but it was all i could think of to try ( obviously i don't yet have manual as i have not yet determined the exact year of the motor ) i have limited boating experience as a boat owner but have had several boats over the years and got rid of them & want to keep this one around for a while. Sorry to be so long winded but am trying to get out the info i think is important i would appreciate any ideas on what may be wrong,how to test & verify what the problem is & what the repairs would require as far as time,money & experience as far as ones ability in boat mechanics. I would like to say thank you in advance for any help coming may way p,s. i believe the motor to be early 70's
