You really ****ed yourself when you bought this thing. Didn`t everyone warn you to stay away? You can lead a horse to water but you ... know the rest.
I can tell you this is just the beginning. I say cut your losses and scrap that thing before you`re in too deep. Which may be just about now.

I believe this is the coupler you need:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-Mercury-...-/320764076089

Here is a breakdown:

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/s.../31311/2049/15

anything can be fixed! take it out and check transom , then decide if you go forward or sell like this!

https://www.google.com/search?q=brav...w=1366&bih=667

I built a longer spine and boom for a regular engine hoist/cherry picker when I had to pull mine. It worked, but I dismantled it when I was finished, if I hadn't had a very, very level floor to use it on it would have been even more sketchy than it already was. I was also very, very lucky when I redid mine that I had a very generous family member that gave me free reign of his building for about two years.

No offense, but it sounds like you have a lot of irons in the fire and may want to give some serious consideration into punting this thing...especially without a shop to work on it. You are going to be throwing good money after bad, paying for storage, parts, etc; the little things really nickle and dime you to death on a rebuild before you know it.

Cannot imagine working in a barn during a Minnesota winter

He knew it had a soft transom when he bought it.

If you are serious about fixing the problems, rent a forklift for a weekend, pull the engine and drill some test holes in the transom while catching the chips to see if it's rotted. At least you will know where you stand on it, then weigh in you're options and move forward or back out if its a losing proposition.

The OP ------ I will throw this out there. You call me tomorrow, I will give you an option that will solely benefit your end hugely. I have questions for you first of all. I feel a bit bad for what you are going through. I see this a lot from new boaters. I have my reasons for throwing this out there. No big deal if you do not want to make the call. I have nothing to gain here on my end. I do recommend possible not doing anything with the boat just yet nor throwing any $$$ until maybe after the call.

8 one seven
Six five 8
7 7 two one.


If no answer leave message and call back info and times. You have nothing to lose period.

Thanks BUP, I value your perspective. I'll give you a call tomorrow.

Well we have made a lot of conversation time with this one. Will have to say at first I thought maybe Scott was going to be odd or way off base with a lot of his thinking. Actually the guy seems to be pretty darn cool.

So to fill in most about this,

My idea is ---- The best solution for him is to have a full complete after the boat has been bought MARINE INSPECTION by someone that is pretty good about doing marine detective work for all mechanical and structural systems. I offered to fly in at some point / timeframe in Oct 2016. I told him do not spend another dime on anything nor pay anyone at this point. It would be very wise to make a running list of what I find and do the numbers, then make the final decision as for the next move.

Please keep in mind. I work on marine apps for a living. This will be a one time almost free of charge situation for the year 2016 - the payment for my services is one darn great pizza and bottle water for the day. I will fly in and need pick up to and from the boat with some applicable tools. Drives will be pulled - gear oil drained, pressure test the drives as well - check all related and moving forward with those checks ---- plus engine detailed looked at just for starters.

He already knows he needs a transom and possible stringers at the very least. He has received a price to get the transom and stringer(s) replaced by a member up here. Good choice if he goes that route. Glass Dave very honest guy and surely will not cut any corners with all that work. After the fact I am wanting to report the list of what I find.

I already told Scott he should move on from this boat but he wants to continue with the inspection - like I said he has nothing else to lose by doing so. But he needs at this point to stop and stop putting money into the boat until we see how bad or not things are. Just saying