Misty IV

Lots of information on that site. Thanks for posting the link.

Can't believe it's been a year since I was breaking the bulbs on purpose each time I logged on. Nice to see them back!

That's nice to know. I'm a little concerned with the weight of the 4-strokes, but the Garelick bracket I have says it is rated for up to a 15hp engine. Is there a real noticeable difference between, say a standard 9.9 and a high-thrust 9.9? I know the gearcase ratios are different, but aside from that, is the thrust that noticeable from a standard model? I was thinking of going with an 8hp model, since my current 6hp does fine. However, once the winds pick up, perhaps that extra oomph would be nice.

I'd definitely make the drive south to Delaware. I'm only about 10 miles from the state line, so it'd be worth it. Plenty of dealers in the northern part of the state, as well, which is nice. There's a West Marine in New Castle which has the Mercury's on display and available. Others around the Wilmington area which sell all brands. Decisions, decisions...

I've been contemplating the purchase of a new kicker for my Islander. The 1971 Johnson 6hp I currently run is an awesome engine and has never failed me. But, it is a short shaft model and a 2-stroke, so in anything over 1' seas, the prop is always coming out of the water. Definitely need a longer shaft. Have looked for the kits to make it a long shaft, but coming up empty-handed. I put way too many hours on the main engine this season because the Johnson was constantly coming out of the water in rolling seas. So, been thinking of biting the bullet, retiring the Johnson to the rowboat at the house and going for a new(er) 4-stroke which I can tie into the boat's fuel system. I've heard so many compliments on the Yamahas. What are everyone's opinions on the available options from Mercury, Honda, etc. I'd like to remain loyal to OMC, but seems the Evinrude line stops at the 25hp (nothing smaller) and the Johnson line is discontinued? Thanks for any and all input! Figure get started on this now over the winter rather than in spring when the shakedown run time has arrived.

Exactly. It will be too late in 3 years. They need to act now! I thought the Army Corp of Engineers were already working on a plan? Whatever happened to that?

While I did not know him, it is always sad to hear of a fellow angler passing away. My thoughts and prayers to his family and those who knew him well. Rest in peace, Captain!

Keith, any idea when the top picture of the power plant was taken? Kinda looks like my boat off to the left.

Here's the link to the museum, if anyone is interested. Lots of information, as well as the audio to that fateful night on November 10, 1975 between the Coast Guard and other ships in the area of Whitefish Bay. https://www.shipwreckmuseum.com/

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

My brother has an 18' Bayliner Capri bowrider with a 2-stroke Force 125. I believe it is a 1992. He has had zero problems with that engine. I helped him replace his water pump impeller this year, but other than that, regular maintenance and proper winterization, his engine has never let him down. I'd compare it to my old boat's Evinrude 75 "Stinger" engine, which was an incredible, dependable & extremely reliable outboard. I can't comment of your other questions, but while I have also heard mixed reviews on the Force outboards, from experience, I'd say you can't go wrong with them.

I'm planning to travel to visit the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum sometime next year once it re-opens for the season in May. Has anyone here visited the museum, and if so, is there a better time of the year you suggest I go over another time? I'm planning, right now, to go in May. I've had a great interest in the Edmund Fitzgerald since I first heard Gordon Lightfoot's song about her and the crew some 15 years ago. I only recently learned of the museum and what it has to offer. I've made the decision to go to not only see everything there, but to personally pay my respects to the crew of the Fitz. It may cut into my fishing time on the lake, but I need to do this. Some things in life, at times, are more important. Thanks for any info you can offer or provide.

It's a ride for you, but I've had my mounts done by Fish Wish Taxidermy in Pulaski. Maggie Rathje is the owner and can be reached at 315-298-4588. I've been extremely impressed with her work and turn-a-round time. My first was a 33lb King back in 1997. It still looks as good as the day I picked it up. http://fishwishco.com/

Borderline, lots of great info there. Thanks. I am fairly sure my warranty has expired. The previous owner of the boat had to replace the engine and outdrive after failing to winterize the boat. I bought the boat with 10 hours on the new drivetrain 4 years ago. So, yeah, I'm probably out of that warranty claim liability now. After thinking about it, extending the OCI on the engine is probably not a good idea in a trolling application as you mentioned. I try to use my kicker as much as possible, but there are some days the main engine has to do all the work for 6-8 hours at a time. I know that is hard on a gas engine. Will running straight 30W have any effects on the engine for those days I just want to go for a long ride and the engine is at 3000rpm for an hour or so? Sorry for all the questions, but I just want to do this right. I am very an*l when it comes to maintenance on my boat (and truck) and want my investment to last a long time. Thanks again for all the input & help.

My owner's manual calls for the MerCruiser spec 25W-40 oil. Ironically, Mercury Marine is the only 25W-40 out there. I'd like to run a synthetic oil in my engine, with the amount of hours it is running and trolling on the water. Other name brand oil manufacturers offer 20W-50 & 15W-40 in synthetic. I understand the differences in the numbers (been a motor head since I was 10 years old or so). In a marine application, will running a 15W make any difference than a 25W, other than the thickness of the oil when it is cold? I read somewhere in the MerCruiser manual that if an engine failure occurs due to a non-Mercury spec oil, the warranty will be voided. What does everyone else run in their MerCruiser engines these days? My engine is the 4.3L V-6.

I agree 100%. I've never left them on the boat just for that reason. I had a friend years ago felt he'd leave them on the boat, despite my telling him to remove them for the winter. When he took the cover off in the spring, all of his displays were cracked or destroyed. Ended up buying new everything. He learned his lesson the hard way.

Thanks for the replies and input. I feel better about leaving them in the boat now. Starting the winterization process this weekend Is it spring yet????

I added (2) electric downriggers to the boat this year. I'm also running out of room to store all the boat's gear inside the house. I have always stored my (2) manual riggers inside the house over the winter. I was thinking of storing all (4) downriggers in the cabin over the winter to free up some room in the house. Does anyone see a problem with this, especially with the electrics? The boat sits outside under a huge cover with the Damp-Rid containers spread out throughout the boat. We don't get terribly cold in my section of PA, but it has been known to drop into the sub-zeros overnight with highs in the single digits. Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

What happened? We had a lot of upsets here in PA. What happened for the upstate I need to be worried about?

I tried that, but it didn't work very well for me. Some friends say it works great, but I couldn't get it to work well at all. Even had those friends try to get it to work and they couldn't. Have no clue why. I got the oil pan drain kit from West Marine over the weekend and hope to install it this weekend when I start to winterize the boat.

Ok, one other thought. About 2 years ago, I had something similar to this. I called Moor directly and spoke to their customer service & tech support line. First thing the tech asked me is what body of water I fish in. When I told him Lake Ontario, he knew exactly what was wrong. It seems Lake O has a higher mineral content than the other Great Lakes and those minerals attach themselves to the sensor pick-up on the probe. It is a relatively easy fix. You need to remove the paddle wheel from the probe. Once that is out, you will see the sensor. Clean it with a mineral cleaner (nothing harsh) and that should help. The tech guy said because of this mineral content, I may have to do this every 2 years or so. Give that a whirl and let us know if it works.

My initial thoughts, too. I had a similar issue this season. Replaced the battery and all was fine again.

Thanks for the quick replies!!

It is a major PITA to drain the oil on my 4.3L V-6. There is very little room between the bottom of the oil pan and the hull. I have tried the device that sucks the oil out of the dipstick tube, but it didn't work very well. I read about a device that replaces the oil drain plug in the oil pan with a petcock and a rubber hose. Essentially, you feed the rubber hose out of the bilge drain in the transom to a bucket or other oil collecting device and open the petcock, allowing the oil to drain out. When the oil is done draining, you simply close the petcock, and refill with new oil. The hose coils up in the bilge until you need it again. I cannot find this part in any MerCruiser part book or on the website. Does anyone know what I am referring to and can give me the part number? Thanks much!