Outboard cover or not?

[Javelinman]

I’m thinking of getting a DD26 outboard cover. I understand the pros of it for protection and fade but I worry the cover could cause it’s own wear. I had a cover ruin my paint on classic car one time. I see a lot of running with covers. I’m interested in your experiences with engine covers. Thanks.

[WRB]

Static not moving is OK, trailering with wind speed not good imo.
Tom

[genuinelime]

Movement of the cover is what causes swirling and scratching of your paint. The DD26 or TuffSkinz covers are really snug, are lined with a soft material and don’t have any wiggle room. No way does wind cause it to move in any meaningful way.

I hose mine off occasionally and wipe it with 303 protectant. Engine still looks brand new underneath, cover still in great shape too. Highly recommend a cover, really happy with mine on my 4s Merc.

[Whoopbass]

I'f you're running a Mercury odds are it will blow up and be a boat anchor long before the cover wears out the cowling.

[Javelinman]

OUCH

[jiggin4bass]

So Evinrude is not the number 1 anchor to use any more.

[jiggin4bass]

So Evinrude not the number 1 anchor to use anymore. Closing there business down hurt them being number 1 in anchor sales.

[Whoopbass]

Half the boats for sale that have a Mercury on them have new powerheads. It's been that way for years. Facts are facts.

[jiggin4bass]

My 1976 Monark with a 850 thunderbolt 85 HP merc still runs strong after all these years. And still looks good. No new boats in my future.

[monte300]

My 1976 Monark with a 850 thunderbolt 85 HP merc still runs strong after all these years. And still looks good. No new boats in my future.

Is that a McFast Jiggin4bass?

[Whoopbass]

My 1976 Monark with a 850 thunderbolt 85 HP merc still runs strong after all these years. And still looks good. No new boats in my future.

All the old outboards are bulletproof. When Yamaha decided to build outboards who did they copy? It wasn't Mercury. All of the pre 2000's Yamaha's looked identical to OMC. You could probably swap parts between OMC and Yamaha during those years.

[jiggin4bass]

Funny thing about Yamaha motors I'm picking up a 1987 390v ranger with a 225 Yamaha motor it has 175 hours on the original motor it has been under a custom ranger cover for 17 year now in a big body shop the owner passed away 16years ago. My mother in law wreck her truck and the body shop doing the repair work
His son's now running the shop so I ask him if the boat is for sale he told me he would make me a hell of a deal and that he did I'm getting for $2500.00

[monte300]

Funny thing about Yamaha motors I'm picking up a 1987 390v ranger with a 225 Yamaha motor it has 175 hours on the original motor it has been under a custom ranger cover for 17 year now in a big body shop the owner passed away 16years ago. My mother in law wreck her truck and the body shop doing the repair work
His son's now running the shop so I ask him if the boat is for sale he told me he would make me a hell of a deal and that he did I'm getting for $2500.00

Good deal jiggin!

[jiggin4bass]

The dad bought the boat new 1987 it was not used much parked in 06 covered and he died in 07 son said lower unit need to be serviced 3 new battery's and the gas drained and tires are still aired up but most likely we'll need changing to new the boat sets on tandem axle trailer. I'm waiting for them to get some cars repaired before we can get in to move it. after that it go to the boat shop to get check out and serviced to make sure it's in running order. I'm still keeping my Monark also.Will run them both. I have plenty of rods and tackle to keep them both full.

[Mitch]

"bout time you joined the Ranger Family !! Sounds like a great find !! WELCOME ! Can't wait to see her !

[zethkinnettfishing]

Movement of the cover is what causes swirling and scratching of your paint. The DD26 or TuffSkinz covers are really snug, are lined with a soft material and don’t have any wiggle room. No way does wind cause it to move in any meaningful way.

I hose mine off occasionally and wipe it with 303 protectant. Engine still looks brand new underneath, cover still in great shape too. Highly recommend a cover, really happy with mine on my 4s Merc.

My TuffSkinz cover is loose as a goose. Not very good on the Suzuki.

[Popper]

Half the boats for sale that have a Mercury on them have new powerheads. It's been that way for years. Facts are facts.

Exactly.......
Would say more than half have new 2S powerheads.
-Hence the nickname: "Opti-Pops"

[Popper]

My 1976 Monark with a 850 thunderbolt 85 HP merc still runs strong after all these years. And still looks good. No new boats in my future.

Those older 2S burn oil like no tomorrow...........and in the right hands will run for years.
Unfortunately, smokey, loud and a bitch to start up cold at a cold start.

My 1995, 115hp Merc was a fuel/oil pig and a bitch to start-up 1st thing in the morning.
Switch over to a 200hp, ETEC and burned a fraction of the fuel/oil.

Ran that Mercury motor for 11 years until I sold the boat/motor.

[monte300]

Yep and 2 stroke oil ain’t getting any cheaper my 175 Ficht does pretty well on oil usage

[jiggin4bass]

Update I'm bring to ranger home next week it's a 1987 395 ranger with a 225 Yamaha Excel it not going to take much to get it running again and back on the water.

[Whoopbass]

Merc's we're good pre CA Carb days as well as all the other brands. I will say Merc's were harder to work on and the parts are more expensive. After all that Carb B.S. they all had issues but Evinrude was singled out. When BRP got ahold of Evinurde they fixed em and they were probably the most dependable 2-strokes available after 07.
Mercury makes an excellent 4 stroke now. I don't know what Yamaha is doing but I presume they're doing okay. I hear good things about Suzuki but i've had a few zuk's now and the paint falls off and the carb's plug up. Yeah they're fuel injected now but get anywhere near brackish water and let the corrosion set in.
2-stroke oil is expensive now and 4 strokes are harder to maintain. Pick your poison.
No brand will catch you more fish.

[Mitch]

Update I'm bring to ranger home next week it's a 1987 395 ranger with a 225 Yamaha Excel it not going to take much to get it running again and back on the water.

Post a few pics when you get her !!

[jiggin4bass]

I will I should have the boat middle of next week

[DanC]

Wow this thread went from how do u feel about motor covers to Mercury engines suck....I liked my cover when I had it. Thinking about getting another one...for my Mercury... Lemme know if you get DD26 how it turns out for ya...