I just purchased a 1996 16ft Bass Tracker Pro 16 from my grandfather in law.
He actually won it from Bass Pro in Springfield (yes they do draw out of those boxes)
it has the 1996 Tracker/Mariner 25 hp 2cycle engine and he never has taken it in for a tune-up.
He changes the lower unit lube every season, changed plugs and I've been on it several times and it runs like a top.
MY QUESTION:
Should I take it in to have the water pump replaced or to have a tune-up?
It is 11 years old and runs great but I don;'t want to over heat it. Should I leave it running well or take it in for the pump/tuneup/thermostat check?
If it's been a long time since the pump was serviced, then yes, it would be a good idea. But if you're handy and buy a Manual, you can do these things yourself and save a bunch of cash. It's really very simple stuff if you can turn a wrench and follow a manual. Plus, if you get stuck, you can just ask here and you will get help...
In other words, it still has the original impeller and thermostat. Given that you have a 25hp, this would be a physically easy job to replace both of these, sooner rather than later. You can buy a manual, all the parts, take your wife out to a nice dinner and you would still out ahead vs. taking this to the shop to be done...Buy the actual mercury manual.