Looking for some input on a couple things.
Have an 89 354v, and noticed today when wincing down the bow eye, that it's got about a millimeter of play, and some chipping at the aft portion of the bow eye (front tow hook). Should I be concerned? How can I repair?
Also, motor is a 1995 mercury xri 150 Serial # 0G144642
What lower unit do I need.(gear ratio, shaft length, rotation etc) Thinking of replacing it.
Not an expert on maintenance of that engine, but the bow eye is a simple fix. It attaches with 2 nuts inside the hull. Remove those, and carefully pull the eye out of the hull. Then take to your nearest marine supply, like a West Marine store, get a replacement (has to have the same bolt spacing, but doesn’t need to be the same design), silicone well, and reinstall. If there is play in the eye, eventually it will start to leak, and movement under pressure could damage the hull.
John Clark — Findlay, Ohio
Any good tips on ho to access the indie of the hull to get to the bow eye?
Yes, remove the bow panel.
John Clark — Findlay, Ohio
The panel with switches at the front of the boat right?
Yes, you should be able to take that panel off and reach in to access the bow eye. Make sure your power is turned off, some of those switches and contacts will probably be live.
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I really hate silicone use on boats, I would recommend 3m 4200 instead of silicone. Do not use 5200 as it is considered permanent.
As for the job, do as recommended above however I would add check the bow area for damage/softening and reinforce the bolt area with stainless or aluminum plate before reassembling.
Will do. A piece of aluminum shaped to the inside of the hull do the trick? Bed it in glass?
An aluminum plate should do, I would not bed it in with glass. You could use a bit of 4200 to hold the plate in place if you like, the tension from the bolts will keep it from moving.
Ok thanks for your help. I'm fairly mechanically inclined, but this is my first boat so I'm still learning the do and donts.
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