Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I saw this while out on the Harris Chain of Lakes in central Florida recently.
According to a neighbor, this deckboat had some work done on the inboard/outboard engine.
I'm guessing there's a mechanic in deep trouble...

[quote="joe20toon"]I saw this while out on the Harris Chain of Lakes in central Florida recently.
According to a neighbor, this deckboat had some work done on the inboard/outboard engine.
I'm guessing there's a mechanic in deep trouble...[/quote]

oh oh.... somebodys got some splainin to do!!!!!

I once went thru the same problem. Our I/O was housed in a boat dock, and the manager hadn't been watching the boats properly. It had a leaking bellows over the drive shaft. Drip, drip, drip long enough and it's deep sixed.

We slipped a big tarp under the boat, pumped the water out and got it on the trailer. Had the starter, alternator and carb. rebuilt and blew the water out of the motor. Put 3 new bellows on the boat and changed oil 3x. We kept running the boat for a few more years.

I then bought a new I/O which lasted about 10 years. It dropped a thrust bearing into the oil pan and the engine locked up. I also bought a 1985 Starcraft with a Yamaha 115 2 stroke. I spent $241 on that engine--in 28 years usage.

Inboard Outboards are okay the first 8-10 years, but when they need bellows they're a pain in the a$$. Mercury's bellows design lacks much to be desired. Give me a new generation outboard motor anytime.