Please help identify a part

[Omar174]

Looking to purchase a boat with a 99 Optimax 150. I asked the seller to email me a pic and saw some rust around an external part. I don't know what this is or how much of a concern it is. Can anyone help? I circled the part in red.

Thanks

 

[faztbullet]

That's the steering yoke...must be a brackish water or salty dog...

 

[galamb]

Yes, also appears to be some pitting on the stainless prop (common in salt run motors).

If this is a 16 year old mostly salt water run motor you may want to go a little lighter on the value you place on the motor as part of the total package. I have little experience with salt run motors, but one of the couple I worked on had a lower unit that was virtually welded together and both required replacement of any fastener that was touched (broke off and had to be replaced - removed/redrilled/tapped etc) - salt is not nice to outboards.