posted 08-28-2011 09:05 AM ET (US)        

So far, I started my trouble shooting with three different batteries (standard and AGM) that have all been load tested and they all hold a charge (i.e. the voltage rises above 14 v while being charged). The current one is dated 4/11 so I know it's not the battery.

I just replaced the voltage regulator/rectifier (purchased from boats.net - it had a date on the box that said 7/11 so it "should" be new) and ran the engine today. I have a voltmeter on the battery and my fish finder and they both show no change in volts even at high rpms (i.e. the voltage is 12.7 regardless of the rpms). This is the same reading as the old voltage regulator. My tach does not read erratically which is a sign of a bad voltage regulator. The manual says that the voltage should go up with higher rpms, but it doesn't.

I guess the only thing left is the stator which I understand is rare to go bad. Is there anything else easy I could check before taking it to a repair shop?