I found a bargain on a 15.25 X 19 prop that I plan to purchase today. I'll see how that performs and if it's not ideal will use as a spare.

As far as the first start up, that's already happened but only for 30 seconds on the hose. I plan to follow the break-in procedure as outlined in the manual for the first 10 hours. The dealer insured me that even though I was mounting this myself the warranty would be honored by Mercury. I certainly hope this is the case if any issues should arise.

I haven't yet purchased the smartcraft gauge but I plan to eventually. I'm hoping that I can install this where the old tach is, plug it in, and go fishing!

thats what i did,






http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps2874f837.jpg

went from this dash to this one, smart guage took the place of all the little ones

http://i377.photobucket.com/albums/o...ps88uu0kej.jpg

Your going to need a connector called a "J box" in addition to the gauge
Pretty simple install, actually

Thanks Phatdaddy, hoping to get the smartcraft gauge in the next few months, gotta save up after that big purchase on Friday.

I contacted Mercury Marine to ensure that the lack of a PDI would not affect my warranty, from Mercury:
Mercury does recommend having a PDI done. Especially on larger motors. However, your warranty will not be effected as long as any warranty claims were a result of no PDI or rigging damage.

Certainly hoping that there are no issues during the warranty period or otherwise but at least this indicates that the warranty will be honored. If something does go wrong I hope they don't try to blame my installation and rigging skills, which I consider better than average!

did you get any of the extended warranty. i know that supposedly they have a better deal now than two years ago. i bought the platinum package for 2 more years for total of 5. it was about $325. i think they went to a 3+3 to match suzuki.

Didn't get the extended warranty, crossing my fingers I won't need it

Having worked with warranty in a dealer, you would be surprised how much can get blamed on the pdi. If a bearing goes, all they have to say is incorrect lubrication during initial startup, and you now own a paper weight. Not trying tobe a buzzkill, but I've seen this done to people before.

I agree. I'd be careful. Not boat related but I bought an ATV once with a 2 year warranty. 6 months in a CV Axle broke. Took it back to the stealership and they told me they didn't have my break-in oil change on file (I did it myself) so my warranty was voided. I could of hired a lawyer and fought it but in the end it was a $90 part, however a $10k+ motor....yeah that'd be a different story.

Nice motor !

I'm a bit jealous over here...

Good points on the warranty. I know it's a gamble to do things the way I did but I absolutely HATE dealing with any stealership, they always find a way to rip you off. This motor was lubricated from the factory. I checked to engine oil and gearcase lube just to be sure, they were both at correct levels. I plan to change both the engine oil and gearcase lube at about 50 hours, then 100 hours, then follow the schedule as outlined by Mercury.

Now for some numbers, got her out for sea trials and I was very pleased. Did the 2 hour break in procedure as outlined in the manual with varying speeds up to 4500 rpm and 1 minute of WOT every 10 minutes. The Merc is swinging a Power Tech! 15.25 X 19 stainless prop. WOT is 5600 rpm at 45 mph. At 4000 rpm the speed was 33 mph and she did 30 mph at 3800 rpm, my most common cruising speed in the GOM. I was impressed that it got up to 5600 with that big prop, I'm more than pleased with the performance so far but it was just me in the boat with a full tank of fuel. Hopefully when loaded down I'll get close to these numbers. Here she is at rest:

http://s32.postimg.org/xarhcv2px/20160512_153309_sm.jpg

And underway:

http://s32.postimg.org/uuzb9vgcl/20160512_134630_sm.jpg