Merc Larson Fun

[William Meleski]

New here, looking for guidance as to how to restore our Merc and Larson to working condition for our young Florida family. Hoping to find an established trusted resource to help our family restore the working condition of the motor, controls, and trailer. . . . or a corporate sponsor! Ha! We love this boat used it a bunch. Left it in the garage a few years back, it’s time to get it back up and running for our three young boys. Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. We’re in South Florida, and willing to travel a bit for a trusted resource. Thanks in advance!

[billw]

Nice boat. I’m on Cape Cod so I am going to be of little help. However, I have a couple of arm chair thoughts. First thing I would do is step on the back of the lower unit and bounce up and down, to see how much the transom flexes. The plywood inside may be rotten after all this time. Second thought is a question. Why are the remote control cables disconnected? Was there a shifting problem when it was last used? Those gear cases are infamous for water intrusion and rust damage, even in fresh water, never mind the battery acid that South Florida people call “the ocean”….I would definitely start at the bottom with that thing and work up, after a basic compression check. Again, very cool rig, though.

Long live American manufacturing!

[garry-in-michigan]

[sizu=23]The built in slip cutch allowed OMC to change the brass shear pin to a stainless steel drive pin. The spring in the clutch is not stainless and roses to the shaft when water is present Then if something is hit , instead of slipping the spring breaks. ;;;;riding up on itself lengthens the shaft pressing a shoulder against the brass bearing under the water pump. This will damage the pump and in extreme cases, freeze the powerhead. FIRST – Check for water in the lower unit. If stored where there are freezing temperatures, check for freeze cracks in the gear case. This is for the Evinrede Fleetwin. The Johnson uses the same lower unit with a smaller propeller.[/size]\

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