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  1. M

    150 XR4 Idle solutions

    Hey guys. I love my XR4 for the most part but one thing I've always been annoyed by is that I have to sit at the dock for a good 10 minutes before I can get the boat in gear because it will stall at idle speed until it's been running for a while. Once this beast is warm, it screams and idles...
  2. M

    What to do with my bottom?

    Hey all. Not sure if this is the best forum for this but we will see. I have an Aquasport 175 osprey center console and it has bottom paint on it. (mostly) The PO said he did a fresh coat just before I bought it but that was 2 seasons ago. It is flaking/peeling off so obviously wasn't done all...
  3. M

    Reviving something that should probably die.

    Instead of starting a bunch of threads about what is turning out to be a project, I figured I'd just do it all here. I was given a boat with a 305 mercruiser and apha 1 (I believe) outdrive. The boat is a mid 80s century cuddy and it is rotten to the core (pun intended). The engine had water in...
  4. M

    Is this a normal sound? I kinda don't think so or I wouldn't be posting!

    This is a mercruiser 228 sbc 305 at idle speed. Sounds not so nice. I'm an outboard guy. What do yall think?
  5. M

    Mercruiser 228 Thermostat plate/gaskets.

    Hey folks, So I'm putting a thermostat in as PM and the local merc dealer said that all the current literature show the gasket with the cut out (reference picture below). My boat had a metal plate and two gaskets without the cut out. The sleeve is brass and has no cut out in it. He did sell me...
  6. M

    How bad is this?

    So I was out fishing and let a buddy drive. He hit a rock. It was at idle speed and a quick bump but it hit the prop and bent it ever so slightly. My question is whether it is necessary to spend the 170 ish bucks to have it straightened or if it's just not bad enough to worry about. Its a...
  7. M

    What size power cable for Merc 115?

    Hello. I need to order some wire from my supplier for a different project and since I have to order 100' rolls, I figure I'll just get what I need when I rig my boat. I'm planning to install the new 2.1L merc 115 on my 20' SeaCraft. Batteries will be in the console. Would 4ga be enough for this...
  8. M

    Brand new 4 stroke question

    Hey all. I am contemplating motors for my 20' SeaCraft and I thought I had decided on an Etec (I love love love my current Etec 90 on my other boat) but now the new mercury 2.1L 4 stroke 115 has caught my attention. Less weight than an Etec115, more displacement than a yamaha 115 and probably...
  9. M

    Confused about plastic tank install.

    So I went with a plastic fuel tank for my 20 foot center console. 25 gallons. On moeller's website, in the same paragraph they say to mount it securely and to make any brackets 3% larger to allow for expansion. Seems like if you mount it snug there's no room for expansion and if you leave 3%...
  10. M

    prop time!

    I have an 89 aquasport 17.5' center console boat. 2006 etec 90. Current prop is 3 blade aluminum 13.25 x17. Top speed at wot and trimmed out is 35 mph and max rpm of 4800. I would like to be operating in the optimal rpm range. These specs are a light load and the boat will often times be loaded...
  11. M

    mercury lower unit drain washers on my etec

    Hey all. I have a fair amount of the blue washers for lower unit drain plugs from my mercury and i need to change lower unit oil on my 06 etec 90. Is it cool to use them? The mercury ones are blue and seem to be some sort of fiber whereas the evinrude ones are plastic. any input? Thanks!
  12. M

    Charging system fault. Already read related threads

    89 150 XR4 with the 16 amp charging system. Separate rectifier and regulator. I drained the battery fairly low last year but the motor eventually started. After this event I had no charging or tach. (sometimes it would intermittently come on though very briefly) When I got home i noticed the...
  13. M

    xr4 tach and charging issue with new rectifier

    Hey all. I have an 89 150 xr4 with the 16 amp system. I do have a separate 3 prong rectifier and 2 prong regulator. Last trip out I had no tach (would bounce sometimes especially when trimming) or charging. I noticed the rectifier had melting terminals so I replaced that since I read that part...
  14. M

    Custom PWC!!

    Hey guys. Just thought y'all would get a kick out of this. We started with an old seadoo that we had laying around at the shop. We are a custom car audio shop and do a fair amount of fiberglass. We decided to make a showpiece just to show our marine audio line and our custom fab skills. Hope you...
  15. M

    Flipping over a 20' Hull

    So I need to flip the hull over at some point on my 20' SeaCraft. It would be MUCH easier to deal with what I have to deal with under there if it was flipped. I have an idea but not sure if its a good one. What I was thinking was to make a huge wheel out of plywood and 2x4s that is slightly...
  16. M

    Shrinkfast shrinkwrap gun.

    Hey folks. I'm going to buy a gun to do my own shrinkwrapping. I have 3 boats and I'll always have boats so I figure its a good investment. I'm looking at the shrinkfast 998 but I was wondering what the difference may be between someone selling it for 575 like jamestown, or 1200 like wholesale...
  17. M

    "surfboard foam" as a core material.

    Hello. I have a fair amount of 2" thick surfboard foam. I was thinking of using it as a core for some things on my 20' Seacraft CC project. I was going to use it to add 2" to the top of the stringers to raise the deck, and to make some lateral stringers as well. Is this a good thing to use for...
  18. M

    Anyone here ever fish Great Bay in NH?

    I've got an 18' bass boat with a 150 merc on it and I was thinking of going out into the Great Bay estuary next weekend. Took a look at chapmans landing launch today and a good look at the bay too. It looks like my little boat will do just fine there. Just wondering if anyone has any experience...
  19. M

    What is this noise, is it bad, and if so how do I stop it?

    Hello! I finally have my 1989 150 XR4 running after the rebuild. I did all new rings/bearings and 2 oversize pistons. It has all new electronics except for voltage regulator. I set the timing with a JSRE dial indicator. Set initital pickup to 4 deg and full advance @22 (advance module is...
  20. M

    Slow cranking speed

    Could a very slow cranking speed cause a no spark situation? I noticed the motor I'm trying to get running cranks rather slow and draws a ton of current so I brought the starter to a rebuild shop to have it tested and they said the armature is shorting out. It "works" but its slow. I have no...
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