On Jun 13, 8:58*am, wrote:
On Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:45:56 -0600, wrote:
"JT" writes:

ordered a new 25 hp. Mercury outboard for our milfoil barge. Pulled it out
of the crate to install and noticed there was no prop...

Nothing surprises me about Merc outbaords. *In the 70s, I did a stint
as an o/b motor mechanic at a boat rental. *Couple dozen motors from
25hp on down. *My memories were, the cylinder/piston assy and prop
gears were damn near indestructible, but the electrical and cooling
systems were pure junk. *

If the motor overheated, all the plastic cooling jacket seals would
literally swell shut, preventing any further circulation of cooling
water and necessitating replacement of all seals. *I literately ran 2
local shops out of seals stock. *I never did understand that design
logic or why Mercs continued to sell so well in the racing arena.
Contingent money, maybe.

nb

Another Merc story - one of the our local fishing teams runs 3 of the big
"super-sal****er" Mercs and last year on in a major tourney, making a run to the
rigs in moderate chop, out about 25 NM, a steering rod sheared. *All three
slammed to port, a guy was tossed out and broke a coupla ribs, and as you can
imagine, it was, um, an ass-puckering experience for all on board. *They
jury-rigged it and limped in. *By the next morning, Merc had a truck down with a
complete new set-up, a wrench-turner, etc. and they fixed what needed fixing and
fished the rest of the tourney. *I guess they REALLY didn't want a team of which
they were a sponsor sitting on the hard with faulty factory parts...can't say I
blame 'em...

A week or so after, I asked my cousin, who runs the family boat/motor/tackle
dealership, what that setup would cost Joe Blow if he wanted to dupe it...."about
100K (US)..." he said. *Pressing further, I asked what it would cost
him..."COST?!," says he, "They would have to pay us just like company does..."
I know that sports companies pass the small **** out like candy if you have the
slightest marketing potential (I get a bucketful of TOTL company SW rod-n-reel
type stuff for the asking), but boats and OBs are like Rolexes or NASCAR - if
you have a market benefit to the company, back up yer truck and they'll let the
"real" customers pay for 'em...

TC,
R-

Startling.

g.
who supposes the rest of us would have been informed if we were
important.