New Owner Of An Old Tracker

[David Romano]

This week I bought a 1998 Bass Tracker 175 Pro with a 75 hp Tracker/Merc. I pulled it home 140 miles, followed nicely. I received an extra new prop, 3 PFDs, an anchor, 2 dock bumpers, a nice travel boat cover & extra TC-W3 oil. Also an extinguisher, an air horn & short paddle. It has a Motor Guide trolling motor with 43 lbs of thrust. I have to store it in a RV storage enclosure, bummer. Lots of little things to tend too. The black nonskid material on the bow has death by sun.

So far I have had to buy navigation lights, grease & gun, receiver & ball, plug to match the one on the trailer for the lights. Also have to replace a broken tail light. In the process of making a frame from PVC to keep rain water from pooling on the boat cover.

The 2 batteries are over 5 years old. Plan to replace them with Interstate yellow tops.

Does anyone know the part number for the prop on the trolling motor? (43 lb thrust Motor Guide 12 volt)

Anyone have issues running 87 octane regular in our motors? I put 3 gallons of 100 octane in the tank before I left Las Vegas, the seller said it would help the motor run smoother.

 

[AirForce]

87 Octane is correct for that motor 89 though would be better for better idling.

"Mercury Component Cocktail" (Chemically, this works much the same as the previously recommended (and now to avoid alcohol content) cocktail, and requires less components.) This is Don's Preferred "Cocktail":

-1oz Mercury QuickCare per 5 gallons fuel
-1oz Mercury QuickLeen per 5 gallons fuel
(If leaving fuel in boat for more than 30 days, be sure to also add Mercury QuickStor).

Now is a GOOD time to replace those standard nav lights with LED's (much brighter) - same thing for the trailer and I'd run all new wiring throughout just for GP's.

Also a good idea to do ALL the maintenance because you don't know what's been done and when. Get yourself a Mercury OEM Service Manual (based on your serial # sequence) (not one of the over the counter from Marine Store varieties)

 

[David Romano]

Thanks, would a Mercury dealer be the best source for the OEM service manual?

 

[AirForce]

Yes, what's your serial number off that motor and I'll retrieve the part # for you http://www.europeanmarine.org/partsaccessories.html

 

[AirForce]

Or you can call them on Monday and give them your serial # and they can tell you what you need for your motor http://www.europeanmarine.org/contactus.html I now buy my stuff from him now. After fooling around with junk off ebay for years (mostly for Evinrudes/Johnsons) I've learned my lesson. I would have saved money in the long run buying OEM. (warranty, fit etc can't beat it)

 

[David Romano]

Thanks again. I have to find the number on the motor. The seller didn't have a document to give me for it.

 

[AirForce]

There's 2 places (if it doesn't have a rebuilt powerhead on it) one would be a decal

Other would be on a welsh plug somewhere on the motor that looks like this (looking for digit, letter following by 6 more digits)

 

[Boater633]

Congrats on the new boat! Pic?

 

[cq]

Welcome! Very good information here and some good stories.

 

[David Romano]

Yes, what's your serial number off that motor and I'll retrieve the part # for you http://www.europeanmarine.org/partsaccessories.html

Found both locations today. Going to DMV tomorrow to register the rig and pay the state their pound of flesh. The Mercury dealer is nearby so will check out the manual for the motor.

 

[David Romano]

Congrats on the new boat! Pic?

No pics yet, been dealing with rain & mud where the boat is parked.

 

[David Romano]

Welcome! Very good information here and some good stories.

Thanks cq.........

 

[AirForce]

Rain, MUD, more rain, then sleet now looks like 4-8 inches of snow followed by 1/2 of ice they think, naturally, I've nothing to do but look out the back door. So funny watching the 9mo pup playing with his kong ball and sliding on the deck on the ice. He seems to love not knowing where his legs go while he bounces the kong.

 

[David Romano]

87 Octane is correct for that motor 89 though would be better for better idling.


Now is a GOOD time to replace those standard nav lights with LED's (much brighter) - same thing for the trailer and I'd run all new wiring throughout just for GP's.

Also a good idea to do ALL the maintenance because you don't know what's been done and when. Get yourself a Mercury OEM Service Manual (based on your serial # sequence) (not one of the over the counter from Marine Store varieties)

There is a local Sinclair station that has ethanol free 91 octane, that's my fuel till I can't afford it.

 

[AirForce]

91 octane is actually worse for your motor because it can cause you to burn a hole in your piston, use what is stated for your motor in your owners manual or the OEM Service Manual. You can also look here, scroll down to fuel and look to see what's recommended for your motor. http://www.bbcboards.net/mercury-3-...ditive-recommendations-updated-3-05-15-a.html

 

[Duane Mauzy]

I would replace the fuel lines due to the ethanol will ruin the original hoses. I have replaced the hoses on several mercury motors and the plastic liner was cracked and was blocking the hose. These hoses were only two to three years old. I run 91 octane non alcohol in my OPTI due to the problems with 87 octane and 10% ethanol.

 

[David Romano]

I would replace the fuel lines due to the ethanol will ruin the original hoses. I have replaced the hoses on several mercury motors and the plastic liner was cracked and was blocking the hose. These hoses were only two to three years old. I run 91 octane non alcohol in my OPTI due to the problems with 87 octane and 10% ethanol.

My plan is to use the same gas as you. I have found one station so far with non ethanol 91 octane.

 

[cq]

Try this but still ask for certification.
http://www.pure-gas.org/