Is what it cost me to hit a rock. That was replacing the lower unit on a Mercury 20hp. It could have been worse, the hood landed in the boat, and the rock did not hit the boat, nor tip it over.

What part are you calling the hood-Wabigoon? powdr

Boats ain't cheap.

I've tried to limit my lower end damage to props.



So far I've tweaked two on my 140 horse at $150 each. I've debated a stainless prop, but you're more likely to damage the lower end with a stainless wheel.

The cover on the engine, the top cover. With the logo.

Richard - sorry to hear that. Rocks are a bugger. Deadheads that pop up where they weren't before are even worse.

On the 'goon Richard ?

Thought you'd know all those "guys" by now !

I betcha Route Lake is down 2 feet, since opener !

There'll be real chaos on Eagle's reefs for sure.

Glad only the pocket book was injured.

Thanks Paul, the $$$ rock was way from shoreline on Pickrel lake. That is on the Dore lake road past Burr, and he Ingal turn. The rocks make pretty viewing, but they are rather hard to move.

Hey Richard--did that 2grand include a new prop?
I don't count props cause I bend them up pretty regular--I can get them rebuilt here by a local welding shop for $60 a piece.
Twisted the main shaft off in the motor head on my 30hp 2 cycle merc a couple of years ago--part was $730 bucks from a local dealer.
The next year I tore off the whole lower unit --bought a used one from a shop in Wisconsin for $650 --works like new.

Found a friend from Wisconsin who is a Merc dealer--I can get parts direct from factory--which he won't do for anyone else. Gotta look after your fishin guide, right?
Oil pump blew on my 115 hp Merc 4 cycle--spun top connecting rod bearing--took me and my mechanic 20hours to tear it down and replace all bearings and seals and 1connecting rod. $510 in parts. Runs like new now. Remanufactored power head from factory is 7 grand.

Most important facet of whole rebuild was proper service manuel.

Karl, those fish are not cheap, eh? This is what was left of the lower unit.

This is why I have Insurance on my outboard. I hit something 18 months ago and ended up getting a whole new motor out of the deal.. Had boat, motor and trailer stolen from yard 20 years ago and got a brand new one to replace it with. $100 a year worth of ins pays for itself quickly.