ran into a few probs last year with rpm's bottoming out, and hasn't been on the water since. i did the compression check and its 90 on all 6, a decarb, xd oil etc.. i gave the toon a bath today, was gonna taker her out tomorrow to see how she ran, wondering maybe it just a fluke or something. i cleaned up the prop shaft and housing a bit, and was going to apply new grease, and noticed it took quite a bit to spin it. she used to just spin quite easily, but not now. the l/u fluid was clean with no metal when i changed it out last year. i already changed it again for giggles. also, the prop shaft has a bit of play. i can take it and pull on it and you can feel it move a bit. nothing lateral, but it does pull out a touch. i know i should take it to my mech, but he just upped his rates to $84 ph. i found that out today, and i'm lucky that i can afford the gas just to bring it to him. i can't help but think that this has something to do with the problems that arose last year. so, i am open to ideas as to where to look, should i ignore it and hope it goes away, say the hell with and find a rock pile?