vibration
 

Have a '85 Seacraft MA with a '85 merc. 200 hp. When I minimum speed down the canal to hit open water, I seem to get motor vibration but when I open it up on the open water, it chills out and so smooth. Also, get a lot of water influx thru the spunners (hope thats right term) but drains all out no prob. when running out on the water. Even got some water running into the splashwell--my weight of all of 150 pds does this! Motor is original and all was well maintained prior to me buying her. Transom is rock solid and prop is not damaged. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Try moving weight forward, maybe relocate your batteries under the console or add ballast forward. That should solve the water through the "scuppers" and splashwell. Use sandbags or 5 ga;;on buckets of water to test best location.

I think your motor vibration at idle could be a zillion things, but I'd start with a tuneup and new plugs.

It is probably fuel related. Run a real heavy dose of SeaFoam in the gas. Maybe even do a decarb with SeaFoam. New plugs for sure. My old Merc200 took surface gap plugs. You should not be getting water in the engine well unless there is water in the hull. Is the water coming in through the 2 drain holes or over the back?

read your spark plugs and replace them with a new set of ngk-bu8h plugs.

clean the carbs and link and sync.

re:vibration
 

Thanks guys! I did start going thru the whole fuel system-filters, plugs, etc. As for the water, its coming into the splashwell thru the drain holes sitting still with me standing in it--not a lot but does. It clears when I run on the water.

;mide doese also , thing is there a acces hole i the well to the bilge that the water will run into

You want to seal the bilge access in the motor well. If you don't, your bilge will fill up with water and your boat will sink. Glub glub, bye bye.

You should also consider replacing the front panel that's been removed from the motor well so when you take a wave over the transom (and you will) the water flows out through the drain holes instead of washing across the deck looking for a way into the bilge.
Dave

Blue Heron--I too do not have a motorwell panel. Thinking of making one out of plexiglass (thick) and seal it in. Your thoughts?

A flat panel should fit, but a curved one is needed to tilt the outboard all the way up. I am modifying mine now to do that.