First of all, you have the OMC version of the engine. You can look your engine up here BRP -- Parts Catalogs but you have to look under 97, not 96. Now you know why I ask for model numbers not boat year. So will be moving this over to the OMC forum as well.
The + coil terminal will not have continuity to ground unless the distributor module is grounding the negative terminal during a spark-building cycle. I believe with the wires unhooked as described then nothing is affecting the negative terminal and that the ohm reading should be Open or Infinite.
In a points system if the points are closed that grounds the negative terminal then the + terminal has a path to ground thru the coil. If the points are open then there is no path to ground for the negative terminal. Same concept in electronic systems, the negative terminal is gounded during spark building then open to initiate the actual spark event.
You have to look at the book Don S posted.Coil is not in the boat for testing. Page 5-3 top of the page.Went to the store with my ohm tester & the two i looked at where the same.
I was a mechanic for over 20 years,I know the basic's.Coil is good,put it on a car with the same engine.I also put a ground wire from the bat.to the frame of the coil.The coil brace was a little rusty.
