Sounds like you're questioning me. But my memory is I moved to Boca Grande permanently in 1980. I have a distinct memory, of the time, date, and circumstances of my employment, and my experiences. I couldn't tell you anything about yesterday, or today even.
I test drove boats, and I decked for every charter boat in existence.
At the mercabo facility, we just ran boats. Wide open. Until they quit. Which was daily. 60-70 knots wide open.
I'm saying the whole time span is 40 years.
Just call me a liar.
No just asking how long ago it was. Because I know mercs were junk. But the last 10 years or so they have built a pretty damn good motor. The mid 2000s mercs were actually Yamahas while they figured out their own 4 stroke. Just like the same time frame Johnsons were actually Suzukis. I take being called a liar very serious. It's not something I would just sling out there especially over something so trivial.
I didn't call you a liar. Quite the opposite. Read what I wrote. I will accept your apology in advance.
That being said, I traded in my second Yellowfin, for a mint condition, barely used 39'. Back when me and Wylie made the trade, there were no Yamahas available. So I was forced to take Mercs. In a three way trade, with an old friend, and Wylie at Yellowfin, I went to Palm Beach, to get my new 39'. With trips. Two of the brand new Merc's broke down on the way home.
Every damn sensor seemed like it failed. Alarms like crazy.
Merc's were junk, and are junk. My avatar shows the trips on the back of the Yellowfin 39. When the Mercs ran, which was never, i could run 65 knts.
My new Yamahas ran 75 knots and never complained.
Let's not argue over something stupid. The money I've wasted on junk Mercs is staggering.
I'm pretty sure I said the eventual swap-out was 85K.
The emotional aggravation was far worse.
OMC, Johnson and Evinrude are a blip in history. Truly dog shit.
FWIW, where I live now, you can't buy a new boat, or a new engine.
Have to be ordered and shipped, which cost a ton of money.
But I have nothing else to spend it on.
Any other details I'm happy to provide.
If you disagree with me politically , fine.
Don't show your hate. You think Tarponator is viscous.....try me.