[Mrchuck61]

Yesterday afternoon while on the water I noticed that one time when starting the motor it clicked a couple of times before starting. The kind of click you get when the battery is weak. I checked voltage and it's at 12.2 and I believe the battery is in good shape. I shut it down and tried restarting and it worked perfectly. After running at low speed for about 30 minutes after this the engine suddenly died completely. There was smoke coming from the cowling and a distinct electrical burning smell. Removed the cover and lots of white smoke and electrical smell came out from left side (looking from the front). But I couldn't see any burned area or a specific place wherre the smoke was coming from. Motor, guages, trim-tilt all do not work although all other electronics on the boat seem fine. Any likely suspects? I'm in the middle of a long-awaited Fl Keys fishing vacation and this is eating into my fishing time!

[Mrchuck61]

in case anyone cares, it was the rectifier/regulator. We dug until we found a charred part, removed it and took it in. Nobody on Marathon had it but they found someone on Islmarada that did. $240 later, and a drive to Islamarada (and a side trip to feed the tarpon at Robbies) and we were back in business! Even fished the reef until midnight dodging lighning bolts and catching little. now my battery charges at 14.4V where previously if hovered around 12.0 which I always thought was too low while the motor was runing and alternator charging. I hope 14.4 isn't too high. The replacement part wasn't identical but they assured me it was equivalent and an improved model.