Mercury Outboards

C

Carl

Junior Member
Any experience here with Mercury outboards? The current engine is blown and I am going to repower with a new engine. The mercury controls are still good so I am planning on staying with a Mercury. I've noticed that Mercury has a saltwater series of enignes - basically the same as the regualr engines just with "corrosion inhibiting" components. My question is are these really all they say they are, or can a regular 150 EFI engine - non saltwater rated" engine perform just as well? It doesn't seem like the warrenties are any different.

Thanks

Carl
 
Well My 72 Johnson wasn't saltwater series and it was still going 2 years ago! My 1989 Yamaha doesn't say saltwater series and it is just fine!!
 
Nothing specific to Mercury, but when I was searching for a new engine, the price quoted always included new controls. How old are your current controls? Might be a good time to get all new -- just my $0.02 worth.
 
I promise you my 20 year old Sea Drive ain't technologically advanced and that old dog won't quit! If the warranties are the same, spend less. Specific to Mercury motors, I lost a 20' Sea Ox walkaround :o with a 1999 135 Merc, non Optimax. Once the boat was salvaged we immediately pulled the plugs and treated the motor. The motor recovered nicely and I was told by my mechanic that an Optimax would have been toast given its electronics. Long story short, sometimes the simpler the better.
 
I have a 94 Mariner 175EFI two stroke. She starts quick and has been reliable. Kinda freaked me out when the water did'nt come out of the back right away though. But seems easy to maintenance. Plugs,thermostats,and water pump. So far. No biggie.
 
Thanks folks,

I kinda thought the same thing. I did call a Mercury dealer and he said it was more in the marketing than anything else. He said a flushing connection may be in a different spot, but all mercury engines are designed to be run in saltwater with no adverse effects. I am going to stop by the marina and ask the mechanic there this weekend. Thanks for the input.
 
look at http://1outboard.coor a cheaper than new way to go m/Over150.html They have rebuilt Mercury 175 EFI for $5900. and a 150 XR6 for $5300. if you are looking for a cheaper than new way to go.
 
I don't know if this is fact or not but...I was looking into new a motor a year ago and checked out Yamaha. I ask what the difference between the salt water series and the other Yami's was. The sales guy said that it was the same with a 25" shaft. Most saltwater boats needing 25" shaft motors.
 
I have a 135 HP Marina on my V-20 that is an efi, Opti Max and it does a great job. Six gallons an hour at 27 MPH. Starts fast and has been flawless for three seasons. My first experince with the Mercury line and I am perfectly satisfied.
 
Thanks for the input. I am looking at new and used motors right now. Mostly 150's and 175's, but it's good to know that the 135 works too.
 
First time Post.

Carl think about a merc optimax. I run a pair of them on a 27 footer and they have been flawless. I charter and run them hard . Some of the early ones took a bad rap but was mostly do to not using the correct oil. They require a optimax oil diet. The oil is abit expensive about 14/16 bucka a gallon which I buy bulk from a merc dealer.

I also have a 76 v20 which I have had for over 15 year. Had a stright six -290 cu in it- the IO just gave up the ghost and am in the process of converting to outboard. The hull is gutted engines drive wiring ect removed. I have a 200 opti wgich is going to get hung. The engine is a storm damaged salvage engine paid $4000 it runs fine and has 307 hours on it.

I have had the boat 30/40 miles offshore lots of times. Installed 40 gallon aux fuel. Boat used about 8 gallons an hour at around 14 kts. Expect the opti to do much better. Going to move fuel aft and probably can get about 80 gallons on board
 
Throwback...you gonna go w/a bracket like Macojoe's or have you got another trick up your sleeve...?...I was thinkin' about the extra weight of bracket and bigger motor and 40 gals fuel(assuming you put it in the former engine well)...starting to sound a little stern heavy...

When you're done, I think that 200 Opti is gonna run that V20 like a scalded DAWG...l ;D

A buddy's got 2-200 Optis on a 28' Pro Cat...tops 50 mph(on GPS)...cruises 26 kts at 3,000 rpms and SIPS fuel along the way...
 
If he got the same bracket as mine it will weight 140 pounds and that motor has got to be all of 400 thats 540 off the back. I have the 175 Yamaha and it 390 pounds so we are close.
I am not stern heavy at all!! The i/o is all of that weight, just moved out of the center. But it doesn't seem to make all that difference.
I was riding a little high but whe you trim the motor down it is perfect!

Here are a few pic's of it in the water! O the last pic is of BS, CB they took the pic's from BS wellcraft!!

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The Boss!!
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Macojoe...I was thinkin' more "at rest" than runnin'...but considering OB+bracket+40 gals where I/O used to be, plus he's dealin' w/a full transom, you are right...he gonna be FINE 8)

Pictures, Carl...PICTURES...we gotta SEE 'em... ;D...

Did I mention pictures...?... :)...
 
Hey RAP. Throwback
I have the 175efi on a bracket like MJs and she sits fine actually the water line is about an inch up the side when we are anchored. But I think the placement of the fuel tank makes a difference. Phatdaddy's boat has a 150 Merc and has a 60 gallon tank in the stern, he says he gets water in the scuppers when they are bottom fishin. My 84 has the tank forward. It does get the bracket and the bottom of the cowling wet when slow trolling. But I can plane out quick.
 
Thanks, Vic...that's kinda what I was gettin' at...older hulls w/ saddles that add bracket and outboard and floor tank in former motor-well, might wanna consider pulling saddles and doin' twin tanks forward under seat boxes like mine to counter-balance things a bit...justa thought... :), but of course, no scuppers in oldies..."Git that dang bilge-pump workin', Lukey...!" ::)
 
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