Thinking About A New Motor (Mercury)

[I_Just_Fish]

I'm going to start looking for a new engine for my boat. I'd like some input from the guys and/or gals on what they are running on their boats.
Such as:
Fuel economy
Overall performance
HOLESHOT
Top end speed
4-stroke versus 2-stroke
Pro-XS versus Opti-max
HP 150 compared to 225 and everything in between
cost
Best dealer to deal with (in the midwest)
Buying a new leftover versus new 08-09
I have a 1900 LE with a 200hp DFI right now. Do I really need 200hp? I dont need a speed boat, but on the other hand dont want a motor that will bog down crossing waves running 3/4 throttle.
Maybe, what dealer is best to trade my motor with that wont insult me by saying my motor is worth nothing.
I already have looked at Mercury's site as far as performance, of course, they're trying to sell motors. I'd like to deal with day to day REAL situations.

[teamlund]

I have had a 60 hp merc 2 stk(carb). I had a 60 hp merc 4 stk(fuel injected) I had a merc 6 hp kicker. I am now running a 2008 mercury verado and a 9.9 hp kicker. I had the 60 4stk efi blow up on me and Merc had a new engine on my boat in a day and a half. Other than that no real problems and performance has been outstanding. All outboard manufactureres make awesome engines BUT I think that you cant go wrong with a merc. I dont have any performance numbers but when I went from the 60 hp 2 stk to a 60 hp 4 stk it seemed like my run time almost doubled. It was great!!! The verado is simply amazing and has totally blew me away. I havnt ever owned a opti but the new optis sound pretty sweet. They are relaible, quiet (not as quiet as a verado), fast, and great on gas and oil.

[TJL]

I just repowered with a 2008 225 E-Tec. It replaced a 225 opti. I too was looking at the Merc 225 pro xs. Was referred to look at the E-tec... And I love it. the E-Tec seems better on low and midrange power, definitely a better hole shot. down about 2 mph on top end vs the opti. The opti had better response in upper rpm range but overall just a slight difference. gas consumption about the same, opti may have been slightly better, but e-tec using way less oil. No hard shifting from forward to reverse (cluuuuuggg). The noise is 60% quieter with the e-tec, plus winterize it yourself in 7 minnutes and use it year round when the itch occurs what a benefit. Deal I got was $300. more for the E-Tec w /new prop over the 225 pro xs and that was with rigging and tax.

[SlingBlade]

OK, getting back to Mercury.

I'm on my second Opti. This one is a 250 ProXS. With all due respect to the Etec post, I've never been in front of an outboard that has as much low and mid range horsepower delivery as this ProXS. My previous Opti was a standard 200. A great motor, but day and night from the proxs. The proxs has a larger lower end gear case too. Excellent fuel efficiency and oil efficiency. If you are committed to going with a Merc, you should look closely at the Proxs. I don't have any experience with the Verados. They too are nice motors. I had teh choice when I bought mine, and I just feel that the low end torque and hole shot of a 2 stroke, along with less weight, was the deciding factor for me.

[KP]

Why do you want to replace your current motor? Seems like an odd thing to do considering how much it's going to cost you. You're currently powered correctly for your boat which is a good thing in terms of power and fuel efficiency. You list a whole bunch of questions that may never be answered in a way that will really help you make a decision.

The simple question is what are you really hoping to gain from a new motor?

[staylor]

No problems at all in 6 years. Total maintenance was replaced plugs a few times, put in a new water pump impeller and stats at 4 years. Top end on a light Starcraft 176 SC is 60 mph plus, fuel usage at 40 mph cruise speed is 5 gph. Trolls well at Musky speeds with no plug fouling or overheating. I would definitely buy another one- but the one I have now may just last forever.
Doug

[peter8]

I ran a 18' Warrior w/ a 150 Yamaha 4 stroke for 4 years. It was an excellent combo, performance was great throughout the range and w/ w.o.t. about 50mph. I now have a 19' Warrior w/ a 225 opti. In the 1 1/2 years I've run it it also has been flawless w/ w.o.t. again about 50 mph. Both boats had kickers and carried a full load. The interesting thing is the opti gets about 20% better fuel mileage. If the regular opti would not have already been hung on the boat I probably would have pulled the trigger on a pro xs. I have a few friends w/ them and they are pretty impressive!! So after running both a 4 stroke and the opti w/ no problems I will chose pro xs next time. Although by that time there probably will be something new to confuse me.

[I_Just_Fish]

Why do you want to replace your current motor? Seems like an odd thing to do considering how much it's going to cost you. You're currently powered correctly for your boat which is a good thing in terms of power and fuel efficiency. You list a whole bunch of questions that may never be answered in a way that will really help you make a decision.


KP the reason behind all this is simple....I don't really trust my engine. Here's why:
I took it to a local mercury dealer back in May, I wanted him to fix an oil leak (which he didn't), also I wanted him to pull the numbers off of the ecm and basically check the motor over before we took off for a Mn fishing trip. When I go to pick it up he's telling me how GREAT of an engine I have. Well, thats good to know. In fact he wanted me to trade it in on a new motor so I guess he could buy it from the dealership, I'm thinking. So I'm thinking if it runs that great why not keep it. Well, I take the motor out for a test run and it's still leaking oil. I take it back to him, of course he's mad cause he has to do it for free now. He calls me up and says it's leaking oil in a different place and it will take a 50.00 dollar gasket and about 3 hours labor to fix it. Then on top of all that, all of a sudden my motor is NOT a good motor, and I better dump it ASAP. Well, whats the deal here, first it's good and now it's not? So, you're probably thinking find a different mechanic. In Mo. there is not a Merc mechanic at every corner like Mn. So, I thought well maybe I should just trade it and get something newer. Hence, the post.

[KHedquist]

I currently own a 200 OPTI and I would have to say I am very satisfied with it, the power is awsome, and mileage like anthing if you stay out of it is quite good, I find myself running 1/2 throttle most of the time and the mileage is great for a big motor.

I had a 115 Yamaha 4 stoke and on that boat the power was good.

When I got a bigger boat which required a larger HP engine, I decided to go DI 2 stroke for the overall powerband, I talked to people who had the bigger hp 4 strokes and the low end power was lacking.

[yarcraft91]

I don't follow the logic. It sounds like the problem with your current Mercury is the mechanic and , as you say, Merc mechanics are few and far between where you live. Your question about ProXS vs. Opti implies you would buy another Mercury. Why would you want to sell one Mercury outboard and buy another one? Taking your story at face value, it's not the current outboard you should distrust- it's the mechanic and he's still going to be your mechanic if you buy another Mercury.

[I_Just_Fish]

Ok yarcraft91, legitamate point. Let me give you a little more info. I bought my boat in Mn, the problem is trying to find a mechanic that will treat me honestly when I didnt buy the boat/motor from them is a hassle. Thats why I am where I'm at. It's not that I don't LIKE my Merc. its that I don't want to be ripped off. If my engine blew up tomorrow and I was forced to buy another it would be a Merc. no question about it. I have a 25 hp johnson on my 14' aluminum boat that runs perfect. So, I'm not saying anything is wrong with the other brands I just like Mercury.

And my main question was not which engine performs better, but what are other guys running on their 1900 pro-v le's. What HP are they running and the performance of their boat, etc.

Maybe I should have started out by saying "I'm thinking about buying a new Mercury".

I'm sure you're right that it is mechanics and maybe someone will enlighten me on an honest Mercury Certified mechanic in the Ozarks.

[KP]

Have you tried contacting Merc to find a list of mechanics? Considering one of the largest Merc Dealers in the country is Bass Pro Shops Tracker Marine in Springfield, Mo. I did a search on Mercs Website and found 23 service dealers within 45 miles of Ozark, Mo. or area code 65721. Click on below link.

http://direct.where2getit.com/cwc/apps/w2gi.php?client=mercurymarine&template=locator&PRODUCTFCT=OR&address=&city=Ozark&state=Mo&postalcode=&radius=50&product%5B%5D=Service_MercuryOutboard&x=45&y=10

I'm assuming you have a two stroke Merc when you said you had Direct Injection. Where was the oil leak, oil reservior or crank case?

[teamlund]

VERADO!!!
VERADO!!!
VERADO!!!
VERADO!!!
VERADO!!!
It is awesome. a bit more expensive than an opti but weel worth it in my eyes. My 1800 prov jumps out of the hole, great top end, smooth and quiet. AND chicks love guys with verados! LOL