As a new boat owner, I was wondering what I should expect from an older early 80's) Merc 7.5.<br /><br />I bought it used for about $400 earlier this spring. Since then, it has left me stranded on one occasion when the pump impeller went. Now the ignition module is gone, to the tune of $250.00. 
Am I just throwing good money after bad with this thing? I've had old cars that I kept on the road for decades without problems, can one do the same with outboard motors? I'm wondering if this is just bad luck or is the motor too old to use as an auxilliary motor for a sailboat. I've probably run it less than 30 hours.
Am I just throwing good money after bad with this thing? I've had old cars that I kept on the road for decades without problems, can one do the same with outboard motors? I'm wondering if this is just bad luck or is the motor too old to use as an auxilliary motor for a sailboat. I've probably run it less than 30 hours.