Here's what I do with mine as far as pump maintenance goes.
You're right about the zerk where the shaft enters the pump. It should be greased either before or immediately after each outing. I usually do mine after that way it's ready to go for the next time, it'll also push out any water that might be laying in there. Just make it part of your routine maintenance each time you take it out. The area under the zerk will have some grease around it, (squeezed out from the last time you did it). Wipe off the excess so you can tell when the fresh grease has filled the area.
You'll also notice two bowl (pipe) plugs, you'll want to get a bottle of 90wt gear oil and remove both plugs. Put the nozzle into one of the holes and squeeze until it begins to run out the other side. As soon as you see this, replace both the plugs. This should also be done after each outing. If you find that you're having to put in a lot of gear oil (more than a squirt or two) after each outing, your bowl seal may be bad and if so, will have to be replaced.
Also shoot some grease into the ujoints on the driveshaft occasionally.
That's really about it. Do these three things and your pump should last you a long time (unless you let it ingest some rocks, sand etc.)
Just out of curiosity..........do you know what your max speed and rpm are? Does the pump slip when taking off from a dead stop, or can you stand on it?
[ June 10, 2003, 10:06 PM: Message edited by: Squirtcha? ]