New boat, need advice

Just bought a 1990 Shadow with Merc Black Max 150. Would like to take it somewhere to have it checked out and ready for Spring. Any ideas on what to look for and where to take it in Central Indiana?

[bamabassman]

Can't help you as to where to take it pal. But you do need to make sure the foot is A-OK.

[1FASTLASER]

You have bought one of the not so well known FASTER rigs out there. Got a good motor. The 150 Merc is a great one........which model do you have.....in 1990 they actually where still selling 2 different models. The standard 150 which is a 2.0 Litre motor and the XR6 which is a 2.5litre motor. They share alot of similarities but are different animals in the same respect. The XR6 is or was there hotrod motor at the time so you need to be aware of that. Things to look for and I strongly suggest having done is a compression test.......with a compression test done you can tell what "Life" is left in the motor and basically what life it has "Lived" Also have the lower unit oil checked. Milky oil is a bad thing as well as oil that is real black and smells burnt. Water pump working well is another thing to watch for........those 3 things along with the other is the motor relatively clean ...does it run well..........it those check out you should be ok. On the boat check the transom.........use a rubber mallet and knock around on the transom.....you should here a hard thud ........no hollow sound.........hollow sound means the transom has been compromised. If you wanna know anything else just holler.

[Jigger]

Originally Posted by Wellstt

Just bought a 1990 Shadow with Merc Black Max 150. Would like to take it somewhere to have it checked out and ready for Spring. Any ideas on what to look for and where to take it in Central Indiana?

First thing I'd do is drop it in the water if you haven't already and drive it around close to the marina. Try everything out. This could save a lot of time checking things out by an expensive mechanic that's probably charging by the hour.