Merc 200 question from a total rookie

[Seth80]

Hi everyone, first of all I'd like to say I am new to Hydrostreams and boats/motors in general. Other than riding in them. So here goes, I recently run across an 81 Vector with a 200hp Merc. The guy said the powerhead is an 87 and the rest is a 79. Heres's the thing. He said the motor was leaking water underneath the powerhead, so he pulled it off and replaced the gaskets. Put it back together and it still leaks. Any ideas here?
Question 2: He said that when you go to take off, the motor kind of bogs down/doesn't rev up until you get moving along. Takes awhile to get it revved up and on plane.
Thats pretty much all the info he told me over the phone, and was kind of stumped himself. Any tips, pointers, things to consider? Any advice would be great. I appreciate your time.

[77viper]

Welcome to the forums.

I run a '86 merc 200 but the older mid might be the problem. It's a little older than I have delt with but I think the adapter plate under the powerhead is different. I think Transomstand will know if he catches this.

As far as the bog try new NGK spark plugs and a full tune up with compression timing and sync and link. If that doesn't work there are some tricks but you need to make sure you are starting with a good base line.

[77viper]

I see you are from MN. If you want I can look it over for ya some time.

[Seth80]

Thanks for the pointers. I haven't bought it, or even looked at it in person. Just a few pictures and talked to the owner on the phone for a short time. I'm from Madelia, about 20 miles south of New Ulm. Problem is, the boat is about 4 hours north of here, I didn't want to commit myself to drive up and look at it if it was gonna be a waste of time. Not that I mind driving, just hate to waste the owners time and mine if ya know what I mean.

[Hippie459MN]

Where is the boat located? If its not to far from me maybe I can go take a look and grab some pictures for ya. I am about 45 min or so north of the cities and if you do decided to buy it I could maybe drag it down to Montgomery at least to where my boat is at.

Would save ya a lot of driving.

[Rut311969]

How much is the asking price ? I only ask because I well be selling my Vector soon .

[Seth80]

Thanks for the offer Hippie, but I'm guessing it will be 1.5-2 hours (?) from you, it's up the highway a ways from you. He is asking 1600 for it, it's a 1981. Thanks!

[Seth80]

Here is another ad I found for it, this is the sellers description:
The motor starts right up but bogs out when giving it gas in forward. It has 115 to 120 compression in each cylinder. I blew up the 175 hp I had on it before recently putting the 200 hp power head on. I put in solid motor mounts and water is leaking in front of the top mounts now.

[redneckcustoms13]

mine is doing the same thing. we put an older powerhead on a newer midsection. that may just be a coincidence but ill be pulling it off to see what the issue is.

[Seth80]

That's interesting Redneck. Originally I thought this would be an inexpensive (is there such a thing?) boat to kind of learn a bit on and tinker with. I just don't want to start out WAY over my head in a situation where my money could have been spent better somewhere else.