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last Oct i blew one of my pistons (as in a hole in it) on my port 200, 2001, Yamaha. Since i had another 200 Yamaha to not only cruise, but to be able to get on plane, i've used it, with no loss time on the water. However, as stated in one of my "Christmas posts" i asked for new motors. Low and behold, sure enough, i apparently was a very good boy this year, and got a new set of the new 2013 Mercury 4 Strokes, 150 hp. That said, they are on back order, and due to arrive mid Feb. My 25 Whaler, with Whaler drive is already at Victoria Marine in Tx, to have the Yamaha's removed, and hopefully sold, along with all the rigging, binicale etc. So, following what i considered, sound advice, i have not selected a set of props and am ready to toss this post out and start dialing into a set of props so i have them when the boat is rigged and ready to go.

I'm also going with the Smart Craft Gauges, and the HDS-8 Lorance GPS fishfinder. Should be SWEET when its ready to be picked up!

I will be traveling a lot in the coming weeks, until mid March, so if you post something and i don't respond, its because i'm not home. But, on my return, one of the first things i will do is check recommendations!



Duf

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Great duf.

Did you get the regular Mercury 150 4 stroke or the Verado?

http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...ticle_id=6

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Duf ordered a pair of the new FourStroke 150s, not the Verado 150s.

With its 1.92:1 gear ratio and a 5800 RPM redline the 15-1/2" x 17" Mercury MIRAGEplus would be my first choice but the 14-1/2" x 17" Enertia would be worth trying as well.

Mercury does not make the 18" Enertia in counter rotation, so it's not an option.

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Tom is correct Joe, i got a set of the new Mercury FourStroke 150. Looking forward to getting them dialed in, and testing the new combo on the water.

Tom, my next trip is supposed to be next Sunday, to Ft Lewis near Tacoma. If your nearby, perhaps we can chat!

Duf

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Mercury is showing the gear ratio on the new 150HP FourStroke EFI at 1.92

http://www.mercurymarine.com/engines/...0/?model=0

I'm thinking maybe 19" Enertia, if the engines are as powerful as indicated. The boat should run close to 50 MPH for 19's to be the choice, and if the Enertias prove to be the 2 MPH faster than Mirage Plus. If not, then 17 Enertias will probably be the choice.

I think on a Whaler Drive 25 the engines have to be mounted up all the way, in the 5th set of holes.

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Yes, the gear ratio is 1.92:1 which means 17" pitch props.

A Whaler Drive equipped 25 with 300 HP should be good for 44-45 MPH. No way in hell it will be able to turn 19" pitch props.

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My 25 ran right at 50 with the 2 200 2 strokes, so i'm not to condident it will run at 50 with the 2, 150's. No matter, if i get 45 plus will be happy with the improved milage. My 200 also had 19 inch props.

Duf

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If the boat ran 50 MPH with 200s, ceteris paribus, it will run 43.3 with 150s.

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And again, i'm ok with that. My normal speed running is about 35/40 when i kick it in the butt, and offshore, if i'm doing 30, i'm estatic. With the normal 3 to 5 swells, you are doing well to exceed the 20 MPH mark. "Thats all other things being equal or held constant."


Duf

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Here's the latest update. Motors are arrving tomorrow, and my plan is to hang the same props 19 pitch that i had on the 200's , on the 150 Mercs and see what they do. Tom is suggesting it will be to much pitch, and i don't disagree, but it will be a good starting point. I have a place here locally that can re-pitch my props, and if I dial it into 17's like he suggests, once dialed in, will look at obtaining a new set of props.

Duf

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Duf -- It will be good to get that data point. It will make it easier to figure out what you really need.

But do not rework your existing props if you are going to replace them. That will make it much harder to sell them; nobody wants to buy used AND modified props. Try them out, get the data and then sell them.

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Congratulations on the repower Duf, although I was kinda hoping you would go with the Yamaha F150s because I have been looking for a 25' Outrage WD for an upgrade myself. Based on the performance of the F150 on my 22' Outrage, I thought twins on a 25' would be a sweet match. However, technology as it is now days. the Mercs ought to do real well. Looking forward to hearing about your performance results once every thing is rigged and dialed in. Good luck!

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Much thanks, and you might want to touch base with Texas Whaler who has fairly new twin 150 Yams on his 25 Whaler (pictures on Whaler Central) for some insight. John seems real pleased with them so far, but am sure he could give you some additional information. He does not however, have a Whaler Drive.

Tom, received and copy. Not sure i can find a set of 17 pitch props to play with, but noted your selling point.


Duf

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Duf, you probably know this, but if it turns out you are indeed very operpropped, so you can't get up into the recommended WOT range, drop back immediately and dawdle back to the dock.

Tim

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Duf - I also would recommend against altering the Yamaha props, unless you plan to keep them for spares. It will kill resale value.

I think you are going to end up with a pair of 17" Mercury Enertias, which could give as much as 48 MPH top end. I have heard those engines will be putting out more than 160HP each.

17 is definitely looking like your pitch range. It's just a matter of which design you want to spend you money on!

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There is a very real possibility that you will not be able to follow the break–in procedure properly with 19 pitch props....

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I forget exactly what model of propellers Duf had on his Yamaha 200 HPDIs but regardless, 19" pitch props on his new Mercury FourStroke 150s will probably not be optimal but they will be fine for testing.

The recommended WOT operating range of the Mercury FourStroke 150 is 5000-5800 RPM. The 19" pitch props will put those motors well within that range. Depending on the model of propeller ultimately chosen, 18"or 17" will probably be better in the long run, but what Duf has now is going to work for the time being and also be a very helpful data point.

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Ok, just back from another trip (God i'm looking forward to retirement) and am catching up. All good info, sounds like a. Tom's good with the 19's for testing, but i should note if i'm not up a minimum of 5000 RPM's for break in, that may be an issue, will have to read the break in instructions. and b. numerous of you have recommending not changing the pitch on the 19's to 17, or 18 for value loss. Just so happens, just read a PM that another Whaler Central member forwarded to me with someone with a set of 17's, are looking for 19's.


Latest is, i should pick my boat up no later than next Sat, maybe sooner, so should have the initial post of speed/RPM's in accordance with break in, available shortly.

Tom, if there is any additional info you need to help me dial in the props, let me know, other then approximate weight, passengers, fuel, conditions, etc.

Duf

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Well, finally got my boat back. Rule of thumb, figure out a schedule, and add a month or so. Here's a link to some photo's of the new motors.

Going to take a week to compound and wax the hull, then some other odds and ends, but would like to mention Victoria Marine, for doing a jam up job on the installation, and Jaco's Marine for a great deal on my motors!

http://s261.photobucket.com/user/dufr...c.jpg.html

Duf

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Can't wait to hear about the first sea trials.

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Welcome to the "dark side" duf, love the new Mercs!

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Thanks! I have to admitt, all new motors look good, but these Merc's are a fine looking engine. Looks great slung on the back of my Whaler Drive.

Have a 10 hour break-in to do, probably won't start it for a week or so, as my first mate Trish is working this weekend, and i'm compounding and waxing the hulls this week before i drop her in.

Tom, will supply some rpm/speed info as soon as i get going on the break-in. I'm dying to know what she'll do too!!

Duf

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Wow! Those are awesome & mean looking motors hanging on your 25 Outrage, Duf. Can't wait to hear what they will do! Very envious of your Whaler & the set up. Good luck during break-in!

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Appreciate it jlh49 and from your personnel page, looks like you and your son Jason had quite a project yourself! Nice Job! I swear looking at your final project photos, that your boat looks like a 25 outrage, as i've had 2 22's and on the trailer (of course) looks huge.

More to come as i get through the break-in and dial in the props.

Love this site!

Duf

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Hi Duf,boat looks fantastic with the new power plants on the stern!!I know you're itchen to take her out and try the new motors.Now comes the fun part and finding the right props~

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Again thanks! Yeah, they look sharp, and the Gods are against me at the moment, as we had a front blow in, so its drizzeling. Supposed to rain (drizzel) most of the rest of the week, so will probably not get a whole lot of compounding done.

I have my 19 pitch props that were on my 200 2 stroke Yamaha's for the moment, going to run with those for starters, but based on input, will more then likely end up with 17's.

I'll geter in the water soon!

Duf

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Ok, here you go. Took the 25 out on its maiden voyage today with the new motors, and i have to say everything worked flawlessly, even though i kept the truck and trailer at the ramp in case i had some issues. The Merc twins 150's were quiet and i kid you not, purred like kittens. Break in period calls for 10 hours total for break in, and incrementaly 10 mins at 4500 RPMs, to full blast for a min (yeah, i enjoyed that!!) So spent over an hour running up and down the intercostal, had some lively moments, playing with the trim.

So, here is first initial data

4500 RPM's just shy of 37 MPH

Unblieveably, WOT got me a shade past 5500 RPM's, and on GPS 47.4 MPH.

That run was taken headed into the wind, about 15 knots, and i was like a rookie with figuring out the best trim, did some porposing, rolled it one time dropping the trim to fast, but believe on a flat day, no wind, i should be up another knot or two. Unbeliveable speed with the props i had on there, which were the props off my 200 HPDI's 2 strokes. I have no doubt with a nice set of stainless can do a little better, and Tom i hope you have a recommendation based on my current data, whether it can handle 19 pitch or not. I believe in my reading, dropping from a 19 to a 17 should gain me 200 RPM's, which will put me right on my 5800 limit!!

Duf

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'That is REALLY IMPRESSIVE, Duf. As one of the people recommending those engines to you, I'm happy to see those 4-stroke Mercs are going to perform better than your expectations. I guess the 3.0 liter displacement pays off. Considering your boat has the Whaler Drive and Tee top (a speed killer), the engines are strong for 150's. There is no doubt that Mercury will be coming out with higher HP versions on the same platform.

Way back in the begining of this discussion I suggested 19" Enertias and got trashed for it. It looks like they are what you are going to want afterall, and since they can add 2 mph to top end over conventional props, they should also give you the additional RPM. You may very well get close to 50 out of those engines. Combined with the highly competitive purchase price, I'll bet you are one happy camper!

Congrats for a re-power well done and money well spent. Considering your boat was designed to handle the old OMC 3.0 liter 225 V-6's, and since these 4-strokes are the same wieght, I assume the boat handles them well?

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This is a perfect example of why we test with available propellers before going out and buying new ones, especially on a new boat/motor combination where there is not already a body of data in place. You really do not know how a boat will perform until you go out on the water and experiment.

I agree, that is impressive. The Yamaha Painted Stainless Steel model of propeller is an under-appreciated prop and good in some applications. That may be one of those applications here the semi-cleaver design and smaller diameter come together to produce excellent results.

However, dropping to 17" pitch in this model will send your WOT engine speed up by 500 to 600 RPM, too much. There is no 18" pitch offered.

I had expected you would make good use of set of 17" MIRAGEplus's, but now I'm thinking the 18" would be better.

Yes, it is possible the 19" Enertia would work too. Mercury does offer an 18" Enertia, but only in right hand rotation so they are not an option in this application.

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Congrats duf!!!

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The boat handled them very well, other then my dropping the tilt to quickly while going to fast and the boat didn't like that at all as it rolled right.

I plan on taking her out again this coming weekend for more break in time, and will have a friend of mine come along for some video work. Same guy who shot the photo's of the 200 Yamaha run.

In the meantime will look for a loaner set of props Tom recomended to try a little further down the road.

Duf

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Well, finally got a chance to take the boat out again. Closing in on reaching my 10 hours of break in. Been windy as all get out down here, so its not comfortable with WOT runs. So far, so good and frankly, the boat is plenty fast enough. Trimed her briefly to 48 MPH, and just shy of 5600 RPM's. I think with a new set of stainless, i might be very close to my limit, 5800 RPM's. I did answer the question about a single engine and and getting on plane, did it no problem at all, and reached a respectable 33 MPH! Those are very strong motors, as conditions were very windy (20 plus MPH) and fairly rough.

Duf

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Duf -- Those props might be fine the way they are. You could have them trued at a good prop shop too. If you have the chance to try something else, by all means, do so. That is the best way to know.

Remember, it is as much about how the bat handles as it is about how fast ti goes. The fastest props are not necessarily the best prop for a given boat.

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Tom, i'm assuming "trued" is making sure i don't have any bent portins, or sections? Can do, and honestly, the boat is so fast (may be part of me getting old) at almost 50 MPH, don't care to go any faster. As Joe stated some time back, "how fast do you want to go" think i'm there. Believe me, when i'm at WOT, i have my lanyard on.

As far as the new Mercs, as someone else said "wecome to the dark side", enjoying the heck out of the new motors. I was amazed how fast i jumped on plane, was very close to what i did with my 200 4 Strokes. Close enough i couldn't call which was better.

I had my bud out with his camera, but he was having tech issues with it. Will try again later with some footage of the boat with both motors running, getting on plane with one, and height settings.

Duf

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Yes, a good prop shop will check and make sure the propellers are to original specification, and refinish them, if you desire.

Not all prop shops are the same. There are several local to where I live, and there is ONE that I use. Propellers are typically retuned in like-new or better than new condition.

It is not uncommon for brand new propellers from the factory to be not quite to spec. and some particular models are more susceptible than others to variation.

A good prop shop can also adjust pitch to gain or loose a little bit of RPM.