I haven't heard anything yet that makes it sound unfixable...

Is your friend gonna give you the Merc? If so, free is always best.

If you listen to these guys they will get you going again!! If you have the cash go with new, I will tell you since I have started boating (20 years) I have had all old stuff and have gone thur a lot of stress trying to keep going every season!
I just bought a new to me 2004 Yamaha 4 stroke 225 with 200 hours, for the Ox and I am so horny to get it on the boat next month and have a season with no issues!! I am even going on a slip this year!!

I am really going to try to enjoy this year as much as I can and making everything as simple as I can should help!!

Good Luck

Bottom edge of the piston is pretty well jacked up as well as a chip in the face of the piston. Ring material is smushed/welded to the cylinder wall, as well as scoring. Light scoring on the top cylinder on the port side as well. All of the plugs except for one were cleaner than usual, almost like they had been cleaned with carb cleaner. Compression on the bad cylinder registered 0 psi while the others were 95+/-psi cold.

Motor sure won't be free, it belongs to a friend of his. Probably will be somewhat inexpensive--initially.

Did you do the carbs yourself or have a shop do them? What you described sounds like damage from running lean as a looper should NEVER have a clean looking plug in it at ANY time.

Thought that was odd as they usually look oily/greasy. Shop did them almost a year ago. I've run the boat in the water lightly three times since.

Sounds like I might have my answer huh?

yep :clap:

those motors are forgiving just split the case take that piston out hone the cylinder back to shape and the put in a new piston and rings on that cylinder and you'll be good to go just check the reeds and carbs before you run it again. you could fix that for under $200