Planning on ordering new Ranger 1860 this winter and want to stick with max HP. Merc Verado 175 has 2.08:1 gear ratio & Suzuki 175 has 2.50:1 gear ratio...can a person actually draw any conclusion about performance?

The only conclusion you can draw from gear ratio data is that the optimum props for these two motor will have very different pitches, around 20% different. Gear ratios should be the least of your concerns.

Planning on ordering new Ranger 1860 this winter and want to stick with max HP. Merc Verado 175 has 2.08:1 gear ratio & Suzuki 175 has 2.50:1 gear ratio...can a person actually draw any conclusion about performance?

I'm running the 175 suzuki on my 2008 1860. VERY happy with its overall performance. Feel free to drop me a line with any questions you may have: jason@jasonhalfenoutdoors.com

Planning on ordering new Ranger 1860 this winter and want to stick with max HP. Merc Verado 175 has 2.08:1 gear ratio & Suzuki 175 has 2.50:1 gear ratio...can a person actually draw any conclusion about performance?

No...but the fact that the Verado is super-charged should give some indication as to performance .:)

No...but the fact that the Verado is super-charged should give some indication as to performance .:)

I see your point but isn't 175 hp a 175hp? super-charged or not? The only thing i can see is the verado should be way less displacement to make the 175hp, which in turn should be lighter?

The Verado is about 30 pounds heavier than the Suzuki.

I've own 2 stroke Mercs before this engine. The Verado has a reputation as a fast outboard but 4 factors influenced my decision.

1 - Sukuki's reputation on reliability (brand)
2 - Questions on Verado's fuel efficiency (sounds like they are improving since 2006)
3 - Fewer moving parts for long term reliability (design)
4 - Ok this will open a can worms but I not a fan of limiting choice as Merc is doing so I voted with my dollars.

Hate to have a counter comment to the TMac as he is well respected and an important site contributor but to his comment “No...But the fact that the Verado is super-charged should give some indication as to performance” one could state

No ... but the fact that the Sukuzi has 70% more displacement should give some indication as to performance

I’d be suprised if there not with 1 MPH top end properly set up.

I'm not disappointed with my hole shot or top end

Have you considered a Opti Pro XS 175? They truly are an awesome motor, if you haven't ran one yet, I would drive one then make your decision. the only factor that some guys don't like is the noise.

The Verado will outperform any other 4 stroke every day of the week. Drive one and you'll buy it.

You'll have many different opinions based on whatever, but as an expert in 4-stroke irrigation engines (not outboards of course, however some of my customers run as many as 85 engines 1,000+ hours per year each) I would consider the dealer first. If you have both equally available, I'd go with the one that has fewer moving parts...thus the non-supercharged one. One of the most disappointing facts I have to deal with is the fact that GM is discontinuing their 8.1Liter big-block industrial engine. They are going to replace it with a 6.0 liter supercharged powerplant, which in my and my customer's opinions will create more problems and certainly less longvity of the powerlant.

If, however, you are considering replacing the boat+motor on a regular basis (under warranty), then I wouldn't worry about it. Both should do a perfectly fine job of satisfying your needs.

hathead

Eye4aneye is right...drive the Verado...you'll buy it.

Planning on ordering new Ranger 1860 this winter and want to stick with max HP. Merc Verado 175 has 2.08:1 gear ratio & Suzuki 175 has 2.50:1 gear ratio...can a person actually draw any conclusion about performance?

The verado are just a superior motor.The super charger gives it the performance u need to compare with two strokes.Drive one before u buy it would be a wise descision.Tony S

I see your point but isn't 175 hp a 175hp? super-charged or not? The only thing i can see is the verado should be way less displacement to make the 175hp, which in turn should be lighter?

Two things:
1. there is a horsepower range where motors can be considered '175 horsepower'. Some motors exceed their ratings.

2. a horsepower rating is a motor's PEAK output. Two motors may have the same peak hp, but one engine might have a flatter curve throughout the rpm range, thus giving it overall better performance.

I see your point but isn't 175 hp a 175hp? super-charged or not? The only thing i can see is the verado should be way less displacement to make the 175hp, which in turn should be lighter?

Sure....but.....

Hole shot and acceleration (throughout the operating range) is noticably better with the supercharged Verado over a competitor 4 stroke of same hp.

The man was asking about "performance."

"Performance" is usually used by most guys as another word for "acceleration" ;)

Sure....but.....

Hole shot and acceleration (throughout the operating range) is noticably better with the supercharged Verado over a competitor 4 stroke of same hp.

The man was asking about "performance."

"Performance" is usually used by most guys as another word for "acceleration" ;)

I have not been in a boat with a 175 Suzuki but have been in a 200 zook, 150 and bigger Yamaha's . . . they are all slugs out of the hole. Some will run fairly well on top end, the 150 Yamaha comes closest to the two strokes on top end. The over 200 crowd . . . fairly pokey all around; top end, hole shot . . . pooch. One thing they all have in common is they can't touch a Verado. Like I said, take a ride in one, it ain't brain surgery.

Some guys don't care about holeshot but all around low RPM performance and torque means more than holeshot. Keeping the boat on plane in rough water and extreme wind, stuff like that, two strokes and Verado's are superior to 4's.

You'll have many different opinions based on whatever, but as an expert in 4-stroke irrigation engines (not outboards of course, however some of my customers run as many as 85 engines 1,000+ hours per year each) I would consider the dealer first. If you have both equally available, I'd go with the one that has fewer moving parts...thus the non-supercharged one. One of the most disappointing facts I have to deal with is the fact that GM is discontinuing their 8.1Liter big-block industrial engine. They are going to replace it with a 6.0 liter supercharged powerplant, which in my and my customer's opinions will create more problems and certainly less longvity of the powerlant.

If, however, you are considering replacing the boat+motor on a regular basis (under warranty), then I wouldn't worry about it. Both should do a perfectly fine job of satisfying your needs.

hathead


On the other side of the coin you can get on Verado Owners Group forum and find people with 3,000 hours on their Verado and just replaced it or them with a new Verado or Verados. My son has a supercharged Grand Prix with 110,000 miles on it and hasn't even replaced the belt on his supercharger. He has had no problems at all and he does drive it fairly hard. I don't have a ton of hours on my Verado, but it has been great so far. You may be surprised at how well a supercharged 6.0 may work for you.

I can't believe I am jumping in on the 4 stroke debate, but one of my reasons for not putting a 4 stroke on my boat was the poor hole shot and extra weight. The difference the supercharger on the Verado makes is in hole shot and acceleration. They may be close on top end between these two motors, but the Verado should run away out of the hole and accelerating. I drove a 150, although it was on a tin boat, and couldn't believe how well it came out of the hole and the midrange it had.

T-mac: Just came into some $ and dealing on a 1860 angler with a 21 pitch prop (tempest) you know I live lower than CF What do you think for a good prop? mike combs

T-mac: Just came into some $ and dealing on a 1860 angler with a 21 pitch prop (tempest) you know I live lower than CF What do you think for a good prop? mike combs

what motor?

it's a 175 verado, I live over here in northern Montana elavation around 2500 feet

T-mac: Just came into some $ and dealing on a 1860 angler with a 21 pitch prop (tempest) you know I live lower than CF What do you think for a good prop? mike combs


I have an 1860 with an F150 and have a 21 inch prop. I don't think it's too bad up to two or so people. I switch to a 19" Vengence or Tempest or Yamaha Reliance when I have 3 or more people with full live well.

4 strokes are surly our future in boat motors, however right now, the biggest negatives with a 4 stroke are, #1 weight, #2 loss of low end power #3 cost, #4. more maintance

Verado has the right idea i will say 5 years in the boat world and 4 stoke will be standard.

Go with a vrod! I have a 175 on my pro-v and I love it. Awesome engine on any hull!

The idea of 4-strokes taking over in the boating world is rediculous. Other than being quiter than 2-strokes there is not one single advantage for a 4-stroke over the new high pressure injected 2-strokes. If anything as the newer 2-stroke technology evolves it will take over from 4-strokes.