So I toasted that bugger at the end of last season, and I want to switch it out all in the same day. Are there different models to look at for or aftermarket names to stay away from?

Whats your current model number?

861523A11 is what I ran for 350hrs on the Dmax and still spinning. Put 650hp and 1200 ft lbs of torque on it, no issues. I believe that's the current HD option as I recall.

"Coupler Assembly for Bravo Models round style New heavy duty design with steel hub. Used for High Performance and commercial applications. Replaces 18311A17 (supersedes MER861523A9) Genuine Mercury Marine Quicksilver part # 861523A11"

Thanks. Those part numbers are helpful!

I have no idea what's in there now - whatever came on a stock '96 272 Baja islander. I've only got about 500hp going to it so the normal unit oughta work. My last trip out I got stuck on a sandbar and fried the bugger trying to jiggle loose.

The HP units are easy to identify. They have a stainless output shaft tube with a grease fitting you can see sticking out of the bell housing. If not that one, I'm betting it's the standard 861523A9 unit, which does not have an output tube. Found those ones listed new on Ebay and other sites for like $350-400 where the HP units are $650. There is actually a table out there that shows exactly what coupler came behind what engines, but I can't find it now.

I'm not a Merc tech, so do your research. But I know that HP unit is one tough piece of rubber....

Important part is making sure you have the alignment correct.

I've got a shop putting things together so Allignment shouldn't be an issue.

Never ASS U ME !

Make sure your transom is not soft. A lot of coupler failures are a result of a rotted transom.

The same shop that put the carb on with the wacky spacer and backwards?
I'd have a quick talk with them to make sure they have the proper alignment tooling and intend to use it.

Different shop.

The transom has checked out fine. In another string of not so brilliant moments of mine I hit a sand bar and tried to jiggle the boat loose. I kept an eye on the temp guage figuring the intake was packed full of junk, and just about the time the needle moved the coupler gave way anyways. I just had the whole mess towed in at that point.