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    Removing an 85 HP

    I have a 1977 Mercury 850 with power trim on it, I need to remove it to do fiberglass repairs to my boat. I am not sure how to do it the most simple way. I would like to not have to drain the power trim unit if possible. Looking at it I see lots of bolts holding everything together and am not...
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    Part out or repair

    So my boat got damaged by a local shop and they are not paying for the damages. So that leaves me with a 3k bill for fiberglass work and 1.2k for motor work or parting out the boat and selling it all then taking the hull to the dump. Boat without motor and fiberglass issues is worth 6.5k but...
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    '77 850 dropping rpm

    I was out today running WOT and the rpm dropped by about 1000 so I came off plane down to idle and waited a minute then tried again but only got up to about 4k rpm again then I figure I should go back to the dock on the way back (was running about 3000-3200 rpm) it dropped again down to 2500 so...
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    Water intake screen

    My 1977 Mercury 850 is missing the intake screens and I got weeds in it last time and overheated the motor. Where can I get screens that I can put on from the outside? Or is there another solution?
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    Engine starting issue

    So I started my engine for the first time this year about 2 weeks ago on a colder day. Today when I went out I was having issues getting it to start and idle well. I have not changed a thing. Ideas on where to start looking?
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    Flood lights

    I find myself going out for a morning ride quite often and am looking to get some flood lights to light the way on the way out. My boat is a 15.25 ft closed bow with railings on the bow. I am hoping to keep the cost somewhat reasonable (ie under $75-100 per light) and get 2 lights. I won't be...
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    Tools for the boat

    I was thinking about what tools I might need now my boat is too big to paddle back to shore. On the boat: -screwdrivers -wrenches SAE -pliers -crescent wrench -small vice grips -electrical tape -wire strippers -extra wire -electrical tape -multi meter -marrets Off the boat: -sockets -extra...
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    What skis to get?

    First I will say I am on a budget and am looking to get a pair of skis to see if I like skiing as much as I did when I first tried it years ago. I am looking at the Airhead AHS-1300 or the AHS-1400 wide body ones? Also recommendations on rope selection?
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    Only transom skin?

    I was looking today before I mounted swim platforms and I found that the top half of the starboard side is missing the wood. This is not the only place where what I think should be filled there are gaps. Second largest is the bilge on the sides at the back, we thought maybe a design issue, now I...
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    Steering off by 1/4 turn

    I have an older (1977) rack and pinon steering system. I can not figure out how to adjust the steering wheel to make it go straight when the motor is straight ahead. It has a little knob just above connected to the steering column but it is stuck in place so I have not tried to move it yet as I...
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    Skeg bent

    I bought my boat last year and a such I am still learning things about it. I noticed today when I was changing the lower unit oil that the skeg was bent to the left a bit. I knew it was broken off a bit but didn't know about the bend. Could this be the cause of my hard right steering issue? If...
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    Making seats with bolsters

    I asked on here not long ago about carpet and marine vinyl because I am thinking of redoing the inside of my boat. I am now thinking about what I want for seats because I am not a fan of the back to back while they offer good storage they just are not very functional IMHO. So for the back it...
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    Damaged coverings

    My boat is a bit old so the coverings on the inside are showing their age and some are falling part if you touch them. This has made me consider replacing them all, that being the dash sections, the side pieces and the seats. I have looked around and found some marine vinyl but I am not too...
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    Water on inside of transom

    So I am clueless on why water might be on the inside of my transom. I thought maybe a leak so I figured if it was a little extra water could not hurt so I sprayed it down from the topside and the stern but nope no more water. I did dry it first to see. Confused I left it for a few hours thinking...
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    Remove carpet?

    So my boat has back to back seats with red carpet around them on the desk and under them in the storage area. I am not so sure about keeping to carpet, it is old and nasty likely from 1977. Would it be a bad idea to just remove it and go with a fiberglass deck? I am just worried about how slick...
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    Changing lower unit oil

    I went to change the lower unit oil today and can not find the screw/plug to drain it out. I checked the manual I have and it is just not there. I spent what has to be a good 15 min going over and over it but nope not there. Motor is a 1977 Mercury 850. I do see a flush screw and another one...
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    Brand new cover leaks bad

    I bought a new cover in late fall on clearance and got a great deal on it. So I put it on this spring and last night was the first real rainfall. Wow does it leak, water did pool too but that is because I forgot the pole.. It did leak though where the cover was tight too which makes me think I...
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    Marine gear oil vs car oil

    I was talking to someone and they said that if I found the right car oil that the only difference would be a certain additive in the marine gear oil/lube. Is this correct and would anyone know the type of oil I would need to buy?
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    Help deciding on new prop

    So my old prop got damaged when pulling the boat out this spring and I need to replace it. I will be keeping the old one as a spare as it is not too bad. Currently it is a 13.25" by 17 I am thinking I would like to go to a 19 pitch but am not sure. The motor is a 1977 mercury 550 and I had it as...
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    Power trim not working

    My power trim on my 1977 Mercury 850 is not working right. It 'falls' down slowly while on land until it is vertical and also when on the water under way it tends to not stay where it is put. This would not be a worry if it was safe for towing and driving it but I am not so sure. I do have a...
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