Thanks for the input.
I bought a used bargain boat, motor, & trailer. (81 Lund Pike DLX, 85 Merc 60 - Tilt & Trim, 86 Shorelander Trrailer) for $800.
I intended for it to be a project, it suffered from many years of abuse and neglect. The hull was free of damage and straight.
The floor had soft spots and hole, the insulation on the motor wiring brittle and crumbling,
the trailer had surface rust & wheels 13" passenger radial mounted on it.
Being retired I have more time than money.
I pulled one of the bearing caps and checked the grease just after I purchased it.
Thinking if one side looked good the other would be the same (who would only pack one wheel of a two wheel trailer).
From the outside, it appeared fine.
I pulled the rig home (150 miles) stopping and checking hub temperature with my hand every 50 miles for bearing failure.
After purchasing a battery, fixing the crumbling insulation, checking the compression, replacing the stator, and water pump impeller.
it was tough starting but once started it ran like a dream (still needs some carb work to be done). My biggest fear was that the motor was Junk.
Fear relieved. It pops up on plane and easily hit 30 mph.
So, it was time to do a little fishing before I attached the rest of the problems (being careful to not fall through the holes in the floor).
Upon returning from my fourth fishing hop (average 75 mile round trip each), while putting the boat away, my fishing buddy notice a bad wobble in one of the wheels.
Surprise, surprise - it was the wheel that I hadn't pulled the bearing cap on when I first purchased the rig. I was lucky the outer bearing came out in pieces. :shock:
Now to bring this to a quick conclusion.
I purchased two new galvanized hubs with new bearings and races, researched how to pack the new bearings, wasn't sure how tight to tighten the
castle nuts. And installed some nock-off bearing buddies.