One step forward, two steps back. Guy with the merc broke contact with me and sold it. There’s an 08 40 hp merc around willits and an 04 50 horse around the bay, but the older they are the more leery I am.
I contacted a dealer up in oregon regarding buying a new one and am just waiting to hear back. Got ahold of another guy a couple hours closer in oregon but his price was pretty high and he only had a 40.
With all that, I am expanding my search to again include an evinrude etec, but after more research I am trying to find a 75 horse
Given that all this is taking longer and it is still too hot, I am starting to consider making the storage in the sides enclosed so I can keep gear dry and out of site, which would either include building doors for the front or redecking the front so I could build deck access instead of reaching in from the sides