Hey Yamaha Fans!

[77SceptreOB]

Just got my boat back in the water again. Now storing it in a "High-n-Dry" Marina on Lake Murray near Columbia, SC.

This year marks the 27th year of service from our trusty 1988 Yamaha Excel 225 two stroke outboard. It cranked right up and ran like a charm! We love our old engine...

[Terry England]

Originally Posted by 77SceptreOB

Just got my boat back in the water again. Now storing it in a "High-n-Dry" Marina on Lake Murray near Columbia, SC.

This year marks the 27th year of service from our trusty 1988 Yamaha Excel 225 two stroke outboard. It cranked right up and ran like a charm! We love our old engine...

Dang Jimbo,
I have several concerns -
1) You need to an extra tall Kevlar/Carbon splash well fabricated in case that thing "Hand Grenades" any minute now. Keep your head down. Listen for the piston slap - when it starts you only have another 10-15 years.
2) Come On - You can't be s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n your "MARINE DOLLARS" out that far. There is a whole industry just wait'in for 100 hour services and those boaters "Jones'in" for a repower. It's guys like you that are keeping our economy in the doldrums. Janet Yellen is looking for trouble makers like you.
3) Wasn't that boat in the Campbell Paving Fleet in Clearwater, Florida years ago? It looks kind of familiar to me.
4) Quit fool'in around in that lake, they got nutt'in there but Shell Crackers and Stump Knockers! Grouper Season open July 1st. Git ur azz down here and put some meat on the table, son.

[BigLew]

Don't fix what is not broken! Can you say, "YUMAHA!"

[Capt Terry]

Originally Posted by 77SceptreOB

Just got my boat back in the water again. Now storing it in a "High-n-Dry" Marina on Lake Murray near Columbia, SC.

This year marks the 27th year of service from our trusty 1988 Yamaha Excel 225 two stroke outboard. It cranked right up and ran like a charm! We love our old engine...

Hey Jim- looking good!
I got 28 years out of my last Merc, about 15 years before it ever moved to fresh water in Lakes Keowee and Hartwell. Ironically on the last trip before it lost compression the boat ran faster than it had in years. A power trim replacement and water pumps were about all it needed until a late in life carb rebuild which added a little top end. The mechanic who gave me to the low compression diagnosis (which I later confirmed myself) told me I got at least twice the life out of it as I should have, particularly considering the salt water usage. We are still stuck in south Florida (not too tough a place to be) with my first mate's eye issues. I am missing the SC lakes and watersports!
Capt Terry

[77SceptreOB]

And now "The rest of the story" as Paul Harvey would say... I just replaced the empeller myself and must have done an acceptable job b/c the pee stream was strong and the water temp and head temps were good at 130* and 140* respectively.

The newer lower unit (SEI) seems to be doing ok with 266 hours / 4 years of use. The gear oil is always in good condition and no water in it when I change it out each year.

Now the bad news... I am on the Green Peace official "Watch list" and have the Bob Barker trailing me ready to ram!! This is because of my fluids loss...from all cavities. Specifically, my trim/tilt seals are going bad and leak hydraulic fluid. I just fill the reservoir every year lately and go on with my business. Also, my oil injection pump has leaky seals and at rest it drips slightly down the mid section on the motor. It makes a beautiful rainbow shene when it hits the water. Makes the crew of the Bob Barker mad, but the motor still runs good enough to outrun them (35 knots vs. their 15 knots!!)

And my 3ea 2V carbs need to be resynchronized b/c they are just a little out. But all in all the motor runs great. Especially at idle and planing speed. I think I'll keep it another year or twelve...LOL!!

[bigeasy1]

Prepare to be boarded by that loon Paul Watson.Don't you know that shell crackers are endangered,and must be saved at any costs.
All seriousness though,you have sure got your moneys worth out of that engine,and your boat looks beautiful..

[Drippin Wett]

I love it man, maybe we will run to each other on the lake some day, just not literally though. I don't think my SeaCraft is as solid as those oldies. lol. We were out cruising around a little bit Sunday, but traffic was pretty congested, we went back in a cove and anchored out and swam for quite a while. Those wake board boats sure make some huge wakes.

[Bigshrimpin]

Gotta love the old 2 smokes!!

[77SceptreOB]

another successful day on the water. I am thinking about adding a water pressure gauge to my instrument panel. Does anybody use this? Is it helpful, or un-necessary as long as you monitor the engine temp?

[Bushwacker]

I have one. They're useful in 2 ways.

1. If you raise motor, it'll tell you if you went too far!
2. Allows you to monitor health of water pump. I noticed that pressure went up quite a bit after I installed a new pump.

Engine temp is more important, but it looks like you already have a cyl. head temp gauge for each bank. The E-TEC EMM(computer) monitors temps in both heads AND the EMM, which is also water cooled.