MerCruiser engines?

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Two 1980's Nautiques, both claiming to have MerCruiser engines, popped up on Facebook Marketplace here in South Africa recently:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/366524383834028/permalink/1340111443141979/?sale_post_id=1340111443141979
https://www.facebook.com/groups/366524383834028/permalink/1344630139356776/?sale_post_id=1344630139356776

I'd never seen MerCruiser being mentioned as an engine supplier to Nautique here on CCF, hence my surprise to see these two. I do see there is a (dysfunctional) link to a MerCruiser manual in the Reference section, so I assume MerCruiser engines were used at some stage, but not common at all I imagine?

Big block in the BFN:

Small block in the Ski:

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Wilhelm Hertzog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: June-14-2014 Location: Cape Town Status: Offline Points: 349	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wilhelm Hertzog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: MerCruiser engines? Posted: May-31-2022 at 3:10am
	Two 1980's Nautiques, both claiming to have MerCruiser engines, popped up on Facebook Marketplace here in South Africa recently: https://www.facebook.com/groups/366524383834028/permalink/1340111443141979/?sale_post_id=1340111443141979 https://www.facebook.com/groups/366524383834028/permalink/1344630139356776/?sale_post_id=1344630139356776 I'd never seen MerCruiser being mentioned as an engine supplier to Nautique here on CCF, hence my surprise to see these two. I do see there is a (dysfunctional) link to a MerCruiser manual in the Reference section, so I assume MerCruiser engines were used at some stage, but not common at all I imagine? Big block in the BFN: Small block in the Ski:
	1982 Ski Nautique PCM351W RR II Velvet Drive 10-17-003 1:1 II PerfectPass Stargazer Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

KENO Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11181	Post Options Post Reply Quote KENO Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: May-31-2022 at 6:54am
	Here are a few links for your reading enjoyment' link from a fellow South African link link link about boats shipped to Canada without engines due to duty taxes etc, Maybe the same reasoning applied to South African boats I'd figure that they were original in the boats in your links

mrhemi Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: September-02-2009 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 30	Post Options Post Reply Quote mrhemi Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: June-01-2022 at 4:48pm
	I bought a 1983 Ski Nautique Promo boat in January of 1983. I believe it was serial number 2 of the '83 production. It was delivered to Mid-West Correct Craft for me by Walt Mellon himself. It indeed was built with a Mercruiser engine, for the U.S. market. The story was Mercruiser contracted Correct Craft to build 3 Ski Nautiques with Mercruiser engines to showcase their new "Bluewater" line of inboards. It was a 350 Chevrolet core. Had 30 hrs on it when I got it. To be completely honest, the engine was a pos. Crappy ignition system (replaced with Mallory marine dual point). Seawater pump was crap, had a plastic body. The engine was smoking at about 200 hrs so I pulled it over winter layup. When I tore it down I found it full of RTV blobs from the initial GM assembly (Target Engine core). The story about the Canadian boats is right on. For years they were delivered minus engines and fitted with Mercruiser units that were built in Ontario.
	You know you are getting to be vintage when someone says "Back in the day..." and you can dispute their facts. Mr. Mike.

MerCruiser engines?

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