KingsTransom wrote:I picked up the motor today. It is a 1980-ish Mercury 4.5. It weighs in at 58 lbs and the transom to prop center length is 23".
I don't see a model number on it. I would assume "Mercury 4.5" does not uniquely describe the motor since it was probably made over many years and in different configurations, like 4-stroke vs. 2. Any idea where I might get a pdf of the manual?
You can try here... http://www.marineengine.com/parts/mercury-outboard/. I found the manual to my Merc there. However, mine is a 1996 (I think). Mercury did not do a great job with serial number's having some sort of convention or meaning. From my research (at least through the 90's until now), Tohatsu made all those small outboards, and then companies like Nissan, Mercury, Evinrude, etc, rebranded them and padded a few $$$ for their name being printed on them. When you take the cowl off, they are all the same under there. Yours being from the 80's, I am not sure though.
KingsTransom wrote:The motor brackets on my DS2 are sand-cast aluminum made by Michigan Wheel Co. They are a two-part, left & right set with only 525L and 525R for ID numbers and a rather odd wood breadboard mounting panel between. I found a site with a 1970 Michigan Propellers Outboard catalog with brackets having the same part number, rated up to 10 hp. While I thought a lighter motor would be better, and I may at some point buy a lighter motor, this is a bird in the hand for a price that can't be beat. I'll just have to see how it sails with 58 lbs before I can justify replacing it with a lighter motor.
My 3.5HP 2 stroke Nissan is 29lbs, and my 4HP 2 stroke Mercury is 41lbs. The larger motor makes things a little more awkward for me, but the boat does not seem to be bothered by it. I will say that my boat has always favored the port side when at the dock, presumably because my motor is mounted on that side. Once underway, that issue pretty much disappears (with either motor). As for the mount, I have nothing fancy. My boat came with marine plywood slapped onto the transom. I have not had any problems with that as a mount yet (vibrations make a bit of noise).