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The Mark 75 (60 hp) was the first 6 cyl Merc. It had no neutral or reverse gear. The motor could be started backwards for reverse.

When the throttle handle was pulled back to what would normally be neutral, the motor stopped. If the handle was brought back to the reverse position, it could start backwards when the starter button on the top of the handle was pushed. The later Mark 78 was 70 hp and was my first descent water ski motor. It was also direct reverse.

It had no trim but was so well balanced that it could be tilted up by grabbing the handle on the cowl and pulling.

jim

 

Jim,

I also had one of the Mark 78 engines back in the day on a Glasstron ski boat with the side facing rear seats. We fabricated one of the first tow pylons up out of black pipe and had the local blacksmith weld it up for us. (It was a copy of something we saw on a inboard ski boat.) This was my first "real'" ski boat and it served us well for many years. The direct reversing engine was really O.K. once you got used to it. You kind of got good at picking up the rope on the fly.

Bob

 

I had the factory manual and all the special tune up tools. I tuned it twice a year and it started good. I shut it off for the skier. I propped it way down and it would pull me up on a slalom. I would like to try propping one now, knowing what I know now.

jim