Do you have a pre-2004 Merc Bravo III? Slip your boat? READ THIS

If you are a “In and out” boater you don’t need to read this.

It’s no secret; the Mercury Bravo III has a corrosion issue. Lots to read on the web about this.

At issue is all that stainless steel, two props worth and the low sacrificial nature of stainless steel.

Mercury has come out with various things to help like larger, oversized magnesium anodes for us in fresh water, the MerCathode® system and recommending regular inspection and paint touch up products. If you use shore power, you should have an approved galvanic isolator installed to protect against stray current corrosion (electrolysis) from your dock, from your boat's accessories or from other nearby boats.

A new corrosion defense is just out. Likely your dealer or maintenance person does not even know about it yet.

If you have a pre-2004 Mercury Bravo III and slip your boat – spend $70 and get this part. Bravo III Propeller Nut with Magnesium Anode. After the first year, just buy a new anode for about $20.

If your unit is newer you already have it. Until now if it was older you could not add this since you can't drill and tap a thread in the drive shaft...the shaft is hardened and high risk of breaking in trying to do so.

Now you don’t have to drill a hole in your shaft.


Best cost source that I can find:
http://www.boatzincs.com/MERProp-Nut-D-mag.html
Buy it here:
http://www.boatzincs.com/mercruiser-magnesium.html

The official Mercury part number is Merc 809666A02
Mercruiser list price is $159.85.
The above product is the same.
Most of Mercruiser knows nothing about this yet, including their customer service department. It’s only the engineering dept and a few people in distribution that have put this together.

If you want the ‘official’ mercury labeled box, you can get it from Boatfix.com for the best price I could find.

Even they don’t have the part online yet, I’m sure they will soon. How to get it from them is go to http://www.boatfix.com/orderblank.asp and list it as a Prop Anode Kit for a Mercury Bravo III pre 2004. $91.13

Again, most local shops will say this thing does not exist. Give it a year and these same people will be trying to sell you one.

Hope this helps you guys keep your corrosion in check.

$52 Million hotel/condo/water park/marina – the next big date June 21 2006

On February 15th the Oshkosh Common Council had a closed door meeting with Five Rivers Resort developer Tom Doig.

The Oshkosh WI development with Five Rivers is still unclear but at a maximum we will know if it’s a go by June 21st, the final day the developer has to secure financing.

At this point, financing is not set. City councilors are increasingly aware of the challenge Five Rivers developers face in locking in financing by June 21.

After this closed door meeting, Oshkosh Councilor Bryan Bain said “We're really zeroing in on a target here, whether it's 'We're breaking ground' or cutting the fishing line, re-baiting it and recasting for a new fish.”

The only conclusion we can make is the project becoming reality with the current developer and with the current financing arrangement / time frame is at best a long shot. Weather it can be pulled back together or announced DOA may not be known until June 21st.

When asked about the Park Plaza Hotel and convention center just down the river from the proposed resort site, Oshkosh visitors bureau Member John Supple said he feels future hotel development in Oshkosh, including the sale of Park Plaza, is now tied to Five Rivers' future.

"Until the city and Tom Doig decide what's going on, everything's on hold," Supple said. "Nobody will want to invest $3 million in the hotel and then stick a few more million into improvements just to get their butt kicked by Five Rivers."

I feel you can say the same about the Pioneer Inn resort project and the current owner / developer Decade Properties, Inc.

If the Five Rivers project goes ahead, given the market size, the other two projects simply are not feasible.

I hope the Oshkosh council is aware of how not having an answer on one project is postponing development on others.