Yep, mine was all intact, including the storage bins (love'em!).

Got any pics to share?

Any updates ?

Not really.

My exhaust and alternator are not cooperating. I bought an IMCO relocation bracket and it still doesn't work. I was looking for some Gil or Stainless Marine (or some CMI's), but decided to see what else I could do with the Merc/Gil 496 parts I have. I ordered some offset connectors to make the risers work with my Bravo tips.

I'm actually very close to being done, but have some other pressing things going on.

On another note, my engine was down on power because of a blower that I bought from here that wasn't what it was represented as being, but I found in the dump sheet (and video) that the belt was slipping badly. A new belt should put me well into the 600-625 range, even with the crap blower (pisses me off... makes it hard to trust people).

Well, it's been almost four years, and I'm proud to say that the old bird saw some water on Saturday.

First, we fired up the old girl. I haven't had the engine running since the dyno back inJune. Lots of wrenches were flying... I was like a mad scientist trying to get everything together to make it happen. Splashed some fuel down the carburetors and she fired right up! No leaks and water flowing out the exhaust. All good! She sounds nasty!

Off to the ramp!

My buddy backed her into water and I stood by nervously. "Is the transom sealed?" "Did I mess anything up?" A quick check showed me that the bilge was dry, and she was ready.

Well, we didn't get all dressed up for nothing!! Five minutes later, we were leaving the dock under power!

Our first issue, the drive decided to ignore the shift cable and remain in forward... coming back into the dock was going to be fun! Outside of that issue... I've got a rocker arm that's out of adjustment and a little fine tuning to do. I have a lot of blower surge which will make docking and no wake zones tricky.

Some observations.... 1) The boat is completely different than the last time I had her out. Gone is the rickety loose unstable feeling pre transom and stringer replacement. I guess the hull was in a lot of trouble! She's a completely different boat now. 2) She's smooth! She feels like a new boat, and she's fun to pilot!3) She's powerful. I mean really powerful! I didn't have to do much of anything to get her on plane. Just a little bit of throttle and she was up! Effortless. I didn't push the engine, but she is really responsive. A blip of the throttle and she's coming out from under your feet. Cruise at 32-3300 RPM is 45 MPH (GPS) without messing with the trim. With some seat time I can probably get to 50 MPH at cruise (that was one of my goals with the build).

Coming into the dock was interesting (dead sticking it because I couldn't get her out of forward). Thank goodness I had some help with me! We made it look like we'd done this many times before.

Got her home and flushed everything, then gave her a well deserved bath. I have a lot of polishing to do, but she looks a ton better.

I'll see if I can post a couple of pics.

Good to hear !! What are you running for ignition ,fuel pump, and prop ?

Cool update. You brought back a vivid memory when you mentioned worrying about the transom being sealed. I must have spent 10 minutes nosing around in my 311 when I splashed it before the butterflies went away enough to start it. It was kind of surreal pulling away from the dock for the first time after 3 years of it being out of the water.

As for your rocker adjustment, what lifters are you running, Morels? My motor clattered like hell for the first couple of hours, and then it quieted down. It would always make some valvetrain noise when cold but would go away after 10 minutes of running. If that is what you are experiencing I would leave it alone until you put a bit more running time on it.

Ignition is the stock Merc TBIV with V6 module, fuel pump is a Teague/Baker Engineering 130 gph pump (feeding twin Nickerson 850's), and the prop is a 4-blade Bravo One.

I was super nervous! I did end up with some sea water in the bilge (gallon or so... salty) but it's probably coming from a hose connection. I noticed nothing coming from around the transom assembly.

Lifters, I did not go with Morel lifters. I'm using a set of Comp 854S lifters. We noticed this tap at high idle on the dyno, but after warming her up it disappeared. I'll pull the valve cover off and take a look next weekend.

I also have drive issues... my Bravo is a little noisy. I believe it's the shift fork bouncing around, but I need to look.

Yesterday was great!!

Is your fuel pump on the sea pump ?i been having problems with bad fuel motor not making the power it should hits a wall and been looking for ideas

Mine is MK IV so it's mounted on the block.

You have a 525SC, right? Where does it hit the wall?