It's dead, Mammy! It's dead!

[SkeeterStew]

Well, I fired up the old 1997 175hp ProV this weekend and flew the kids out to their favorite swimmin hole here in Oklahoma City metro. Then we made two trips around the lake before settling at our fishing spot. As we settled off WOT the motor made a rattley noise like marbles in a coffee can then died abruptly. Tried to re-start but it wouldn't even turn over.
After cooling down we did get it started for a second, but it sounded horrible like someone beating on a piece of metal with a hammer so I gave up and trolling motored part way. Called the lake patrol for a tow the rest of the way, and paddled onto the trailer. Not so fun with three kids under 10 in the boat. :(

------UPDATE------

As many of my friends here know, this was a long journey of rebuilding a very dead motor. This entire process has now been made into a BOOK that you can get at Amazon and hold in your hands, complete with full color pictures, all part numbers and tools, behind-the-scenes commentary, and a very happy ending. This was a great learning project and I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did.

https://www.amazon.com/rebuilt-Yamah...words=outboard

Though this was a Yamaha Pro-V engine, the same process could be used for any 2 stroke outboard motor with similar results.