Mercury Through The Years...

**peterse90** · 04-30-2020, 01:13 PM

Originally Posted by WaterZebra

The die cast MerControl was the best ever made. I really miss them.

I also liked how the tach harness just plugged into the front of the MerControl.

**Bob V** · 04-30-2020, 06:59 PM

Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix postponed

The Longboat Observer•April 30, 2020

-
The organizers of the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival announced the event will not be held as scheduled, as concerns related to COVID-19 continue to affect large gatherings in the area. The event was originally scheduled to take place from June 26-28 in downtown Sarasota and on Lido Key. In addition to the boat races, plans for the weekend festival included a block party on Main Street. A new date for the Grand Prix has not been set. In a release, event organizers said they would “look to possibly rescheduling the race this year” pending applicable guidelines related to the pandemic. “Knowing both the economic and charitable benefits this event generates, this was a very difficult decision.

**FUJIMO** · 05-01-2020, 08:42 PM

**FUJIMO** · 05-01-2020, 09:10 PM

**FUJIMO** · 05-02-2020, 05:50 PM

**GENE LANHAM** · 05-02-2020, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by WaterZebra

The die cast MerControl was the best ever made. I really miss them. Long before they integrated trim rocker switches into the binnacle control arm, I rigged a momentary toggle switch into my MerControl arm for throttle / trim control (still in use today). I'm not happy with the plastic junk that replaced the original MerControl. There are some things you just don't mess with or replace. MerControl was one of them. Only thing that could have been improved was the method of attachment of the MerControl to the gunnel, seat or floor.

50+ years ago--the best

Click image for larger version.

Name: Capture DIE CAST CONTROL.PNG
Views: 17
Size: 325.6 KB
ID: 464648

**Bob V** · 05-02-2020, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by GENE LANHAM

50+ years ago--the best

Click image for larger version.

Name: Control.PNG
Views: 141
Size: 525.4 KB
ID: 464651

**FUJIMO** · 05-02-2020, 07:12 PM

...and the design didn't change for decades...

**FUJIMO** · 05-02-2020, 07:24 PM

**peterse90** · 05-02-2020, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by FUJIMO

...and the design didn't change for decades...

As well as the easy tach plug-in, I also really liked the 'easy to use' push button choke and the 'easy to use' neutral warm-up lever.
I had one of these controls with my 1968 Merc 100 'tower of power' on my 1968 Cutter MT 180 that later got replaced with a 1980 Merc 150 V6.

**WaterZebra** · 05-02-2020, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by FUJIMO

Performing any disassembly or assembly on these things was not for the mechanically challenged. If you didn't understand how the parts 4,21,40 worked together, reassembly became a mess. Oh, and throw in a neutral start switch into the mechanical mess as well. The engine wire harness was a robust design as well.

**Capt.Insane-o** · 05-03-2020, 12:56 AM

I can't even tell you how many of those I've had to put back together for people.

**Robby321** · 05-03-2020, 04:30 AM

Originally Posted by WaterZebra

Performing any disassembly or assembly on these things was not for the mechanically challenged. If you didn't understand how the parts 4,21,40 worked together, reassembly became a mess. Oh, and throw in a neutral start switch into the mechanical mess as well. The engine wire harness was a robust design as well.

Been there. Done that!

**powerabout** · 05-03-2020, 05:04 AM

Originally Posted by peterse90

As well as the easy tach plug-in, I also really liked the 'easy to use' push button choke and the 'easy to use' neutral warm-up lever.
I had one of these controls with my 1968 Merc 100 'tower of power' on my 1968 Cutter MT 180 that later got replaced with a 1980 Merc 150 V6.

then they added trim and it all went to hell...