Recent content by Duke01

Step, I have a genuine Panasonic 8 track player that I will send you...no cost. I hope you like my 1970's Rock tapes. I do like my Merc 200 2 stroke, and there is something special about 2 stroke exhaust (unless you are downwind trolling), but my life is complicated. My biggest challenge is...

I have had the electronic Weems & Plath flares for 5+ years. I also keep a flare gun with expired flares on board. Haven't had the need to use one yet...batteries are fine so far. Probably time to install some new batteries. There are other manufactures on the market now as well.

Thanks Spare and Phat - I appreciate your input

I am concerned about reliability, but the only ongoing challenge is starting. She runs great once started. I usually run 10 miles or so and then troll with my 9.8 kicker motor. I have no problem starting for the return trip after 4 hours of fishing. She starts right up. The problem is...

Just following up on this posting: The purchase never happened - the seller decided to keep the 150 Pro XS. The old Merc lives on.

Thanks Spare. I really appreciate your feedback. It is coming off of a Stratos walleye boat which is the same base weight as the V20. He has it loaded up with 6 batteries (36V trolling motor) and lots of gear. He runs at 40 mph when weather permits with a max of 43 +/-. The prop pitch...

Is anybody running a 150 Mercury Pro XS (2 stroke) or something similar on their V20? I am curious about performance. There is a 2010 available that I am considering as a repower for my 1980 Merc 200. I would appreciate any feedback or comments. Thanks, Duke

Yes, spring start up is always exciting. I typically have fished in western Lake Erie for walleye, but this summer we will be based in northern Lake Huron near Cheboygan. Salmon fishing is pretty good in the area. I troll with a 9.8 Tohatsu 4 stroke, which is my back up motor to get me home...

Hey Step, my plan is to do the transom rebuild myself. It was redone once before by the previous owner, but a crack developed between the transom and splash well that he did not address. I suspect everything below the crack is now saturated. But, it is still solid. I am hoping not to do...

Closing out this post...I never did see a way to rotate the zinc outboard trim tab. The previous owner had it straight (neutral) too. I ended up taking a grinder to the zinc so I could rotate it. I positioned the tab at approx 45 degrees. Hopefully, that will reduce my steering wheel pull.

I have a 78 cuddy, and still have the original 46 gallon aluminum tank, and it is foamed in. It will probably be the catalyst for a repower and transom rebuild down the road. A short Michigan season probably extends boat life, but a gas leak can't be too far out (?).

Trim Tab Adjustment - Old Merc So, I pulled the trim tab from the outboard (1980 Merc 200) and there is a 6" bolt with 1" of threads that is under the tab next to the bolt that holds the trim tab in place. I removed the 6" bolt (9/16" head), but still see no way to rotate the zinc trim tab...

Thanks Spare. The mating part on the lower unit must rotate. I will have to take a closer look when I pull the shrink wrap in a month or two.

Yes, you would think so. There does not appear to be any adjustments (for rotating) on the trim tab. Looks like I was able to upload a modified file (pic) of the bottom of the trim tab. The portion that protrudes along with the threads goes into a recessed area on the lower unit.

Does anyone have experience using a torque tab on their outboard? I have an old 1980 Merc 200hp Black Max and experience significant steering wheel pull due to the outboard prop rotation. Last year I pulled the zinc trim tab in an effort to turn it to compensate for the prop torque, but it did...