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Hello!

I inherited a 1998 BW Sport, "Limited Edition" 13.4 from my brother. It has a Mercury 40, and it's been sitting for years with a dead battery.

Today I hooked up a new battery. Hydraulics work, dash lights work (but not the bow port/starboard light). The one fuse I could find looks good.

Then, I attempted to start the motor. A quarter second later and some sparks from the positive battery terminal, and the battery is dead. It's on the 'Tender now to see if I can save it.

Anyway, before I start pulling out the wire harness (And likely making a new one), where is a good place to start? I'm thinking there might be an issue with the motor ground wire. It should be noted the boat has only ever seen the Atlantic Ocean, so it's very possible there's corrosion I can't see causing an issue. Also, the boat did run before it was last stored.

Thanks for your help ... I've never had a boat before, but I'm handy enough with cars I can "probably" fix it. Shmaybe. :)