Salmo slayar

I have a 1971 120 Merc. Rebuilt the upper unit this past summer. Started as a billows job that quickly grew into a rebuild. Learned a lot about out drives! Here are a few references that I found helpful. http://boatinfo.no/lib/mercruiser/manuals/mercruiser6.html#/0 http://boatinfo.no/lib/mercruiser/manuals/mercruiser1.html#/0 http://www.sterndrives.com/supplies/mdtips05.html http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engine-repair-and-maintenance/mercruiser-i-o-inboard-engines-outdrives/618538-replacing-oil-seal-in-alpha-one-gen-one-upper-driveshaft-housing/page2 http://www.mercstuff.com/yokesealreplacement.htm Good Luck!

its gone fellas. Picked it up this morning.

i will take it. pm sent.

Like others have said, buying a used boat or motor is a bit of a gamble. I think it depends on what you are looking for. If you enjoy mechanical projects and a bit of a risk (like me!), then I think used boats, Salt or Fresh, are great. I would definitely be VERY patient in searching for a used boat (I spent 3 years searching for my truck), but you sure can get some great deals. Every year I see a couple of boats here on LOU that are absolute steals. A couple of Islanders have practically be given away in the last couple of years on this site. The last boat I bough was from someone here on LOU (1971 21' Starcraft Chieftain/ $1,000). I knew it was a project boat, but I have always wanted to learn boat and engine repair, and I wont do anything unless I have to. Plus with the price of aluminum at what it was, and with the Big Jon down riggers and rod holders, I figured I couldn't loose money. Lets just say , that boat has spent a lot more time broken down in my yard than in the water. But for $1000 + parts... I now know how to sand, prime, and paint out drives and bell housing, replace the bellows, gimbal bearing, shift cable, upper and lower oil seals, and every other seal in between. Hopefully I get her back in the water this weekend! On the other hand I once bought a 1949 5hp elgin outboard for $75 from Craigslist. I have put hundreds of miles/hours on that motor, and the only time she doesn't run, is when she is out gas. Also, While saltwater is generally more corrosive than fresh water, I think fresh water can be very corrosive (i.e. comparable to salt water). On of my friends worked on a project comparing the corrosive properties of the Great Lakes water with sea water. I couldn't find too much infor on the topic, but here is a link for those who are interested. http://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/131055 That was bit of a ramble, and probably not very helpful to the original poster... Gonna go home now, and work on my boat ! Good luck with your new boat. I am sure you will love it!

That is an Amazing fish! Great job! It seems like the quality of the brown trout fishing on Cayuga has really improved over the last few years. I have seen/heard of multiple fish over 10 lbs caught in the last couple of years. I haven't boated anything over 8lbs, but I have snapped quite a bit of 10-15lb test form forgetting to set the drag first thing in the morning . Even saw a picture of an 18lb brown taken from Cayuga 4 or 5 years ago. Thing had a baby muskrat in its stomach! I have noticed that most the browns I catch are full of gobies. Do folks think the gobies could be improving the brown trout fishery?

pm sent on the big jons

Thanks for the report! Now that the tribs are closed, its back to the lake! Happy New Year!