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Ok, time to repower due to blown power head. Had been running at 4200 rpm about an hour and 45 minutes when it went to sounding like someone was shaking a box of rocks and seized in 3-seconds. It does turn over now that it has cooled off. Anyone need parts? Two week prior to this I purchased 10-gallons of Premium Plus oil because it was on sale, a week later it was on sale for $4 less than I paid; now I don’t even need it. Anyone need Quicksilver oil? Anyone need a set of new BU9H sparkplugs? And bring your gas cans, I have 28 gallons of premix in the tank with Stabil!
Original motor and performance:
1998 Mercury 200XL Offshore (carbureted)
17” Vengance or 18” Enertia, both ran about same performance wise
Hole shot – good
WOT 50 mph at 5700 rpm running light
Economy – 3.5 mpg between 3800 and 4400 rpm, averaged 2.7 mpg last 70 hours, mpg drops off significantly outside of stated rpm range
Engine weight – 400 lbs
Boat is 1996 Outrage 21, rated for 300 hp, published weight is 2500 lbs., fully loaded weight is about 5000 lbs (115 gal fuel, 15 gal water, 35 gal livewell, persons and gear).
I would like to maintain the same performance with a new engine. Basically the new 2-strokes are about 100-125 lbs heavier and the 4-strokes are 200-250 lbs heavier than the original motor.
For the same weight as the 225 (524lbs) Etec you can also get the 250hp (524lbs) and 300hp (528lbs).
Yamaha would be another DFI 2 Stroke choice. They have the 200 HPDI which weighs in at light 475lbs. They also have the V-Max 200, 225, 250, and 300 that are 539lbs.
The Mercury Optimax is the other other choice for a DFI two stroke. The 225 and 250 are 505lbs. Since your boat is already rigged with mercury controls the Optimax would be the easiest swap.
In the four strokes you have the Verados. The 200, 225, 250, 275, and 300 all weigh in at 635lbs. These motors all have a 5 year factory warranty. Even though you already have Mercury controls you will need to upgrade them all for a Verado.
Honda has a 200 and 225 both at 599lbs.
Suzuki has the 200, 225, and 250 that are 580lbs. They also have the 300 which is 603lbs.
Yamaha has 200 and 225 that are 583lbs while the 300 is 604lbs.
They "weigh" I look at repowering is once you settle on a motor brand as well as size (typically displacement or at times # of cylinderes) go for the highest HP you can get that is the same weight. Of course there is always the money factor but, if that is not a concern buy bigger. For example, if you where set on a V6 ETec lets say, since your 21 Outrage is rated for 300hp I would not even consider the 225 and probably not even the 250 when you could get the 300 essentially the same weight (what is 4lbs between friends). In the end the more power means less stress on the motor (which in theory means a longer life) as well as increased fuel economy. Plus you have the power on tap when you need it. Finally selling a boat that is or, seems to be underpowered can be a tough one to overcome with a buyer.
Edited by Jeff on 07/26/08 - 9:26 PM
1993 23' Walkaround Whaler Drive
The responders have misseed a few things regarding Merc offerings. First, the Verado L4 200 is the lightest 200 Hp 4 stroke on the market at 525#, by a considerable margin.
If you want to stay with a 431# 2.5 liter V-6, consider the 175XS Optimax, a real 200HP in disguise and a fuel economy champ.
A big Verado (225-300 HP) weighs no more than a pair of old 2 stroke 115's. Boat can easily handle the weight, as your rig was often powered with twin Merc v-6 150's weighing a total of 850#.
My rec - the 200 L4 Verado. Fast and light, and the best fuel economy you can buy.
In my 20+ years of boating I've owned a few merc's and each one of them has been nothing but a headache. I'm sure there are plenty of people here that love Mercs and I'm sure they have come a long way. I have developed a bad taste for mercs and tend to stay away from them. The best engines I've owned have all been Johnson/Evinrude. I can say neither have let me down.
