[Mo_Gearhead]

A couple more thoughts came to me.

When the boat is off the tow vehicle and setting (stored on the trailer or in a lift) you should run the trim all the way in (down). There is a flexible, rubber bellows that covers the u-joint (coupler) that will take a “set” (stretched out) if the outdrive is stored in the out (trailer) position; this can cause it to crack prematurely and may later allow water into that bearing. Not good.

You probably know that besides the water pump on the engine, the lower unit also has a water pump. You should never run the engine at home without “earmuffs” hooked to a water hose, with low pressure, to keep those impellers wet - or they can fail prematurely. If you are boating and you see your engine temperature rising when all else appears OK, the lower water pump impellers have probably failed. It will cause engine overheating - so stop!

Boats are like our autos. If you maintain them correctly- you can have minimal problems and few worries about being stranded. But there can be a learning curve. You (and your wife) should learn all you can about its safe operation.