---

I'm looking at a new 190 Outrage. I'm confused by BW's performance figures between the 150 Verado, regular 150 and the 200 Verado. Time to plane is 4.4 sec. to 4.5 for all three motors. Idle to 30 mph is 6.7 sec for the 150 Verado, 8.5 for the 150 EFI, and 9.4 for the 200 Verado. Why isn't the 200 faster? And the 200 only has a top speed 1 mph faster than the 150 EFI. The fuel consumption figures do make sense. I would expect to see a significant performance difference for the exra hp of the 200. There must be something I don't understand. And with all that said, any opinions about best choice of the three?

---

Let's let everybody see what you are talking about:

http://www.bostonwhaler.com/boat_grap...nePerf.pdf

Look at the fine print. Different test dates, different test conditions/weights and different propellers.

For example, The Verado 200 was tested with a full tank of gas and more people weight than the FourStroke 150. It was also using a MIRAGE propeller while the other two test were conducted with an Enertia.

That said, it does not account for all the difference. What you are seeing is the fact that the Mercury Verado, for all its hype, is not necessarily a power way to build an outboard.

The introduction of the Mercury FourStroke 150 is an acknowledgment by Mercury that their Verado line leaves much to be desired. By offering a simpler motor with large displacement, they offer a powerful motor. I think it is clear the FourStroke 150 is more than 150 HP and the Verados perhaps less than their decals indicate.

I think the engine choice for the Outrage 190 is obvious: get the FourStroke 150.

---

I was thinking eTec 200 or 200HO myself. Oh wait, Whaler forces you to buy Mercury motors. Sorry Whaler, no sale.

Tim