The new 150 4stroke looks pretty cool. Its not like the Verados, its a new motor. Lighter than older 4 strokes better performance. Following the Yamaha Shos lead.
My buddy has one, heavy and slow to get going but quiet and very reliable. I havent seen his not start yet. even in 30 degree weather and 33 degree water it started up on the first turn of the key. His water pump is shot, rarely even spits water and yet he has put hundreds of hours on it with no problems.
I was just curious if anybody had heard how they compared to other 4 strokes in terms of performance and reliability. Thanks for the info. guys, good stuff. I’m interested in getting a 4 stroke, and was thinking Yamaha or Evinrude, but wanted to hear what folks thought of the new Mercs. I’ve run a couple older (2001 vintage) 2 stroke Mercury 50hp motors and wasn’t happy with how cold starting they were. I’ve run a few Yamaha 4 stroke motors in the same size class and love how quiet and reliable they were. I don’t do any running and gunning, so speed and hole shots aren’t that important to me.
I’m actually in the market for a new boat, and am leaning toward an 18 ft. Triton (still undecided on the model). Most of the 18 footers are rated at anywhere from 90 to around 175 hp at the high end. It looks like most most of them come with a 2 stroke Merc, but I really want to put a 4 stroke on it.
Mercury has a new 150 that is a four stroke that is supposed to have the low end of a 2 stroke but is quite like a four and good gas mliage. The old reliable optimax is a good motor and they have a pro xs in a 150 now I believe. That has the best of both worlds, good 2 stroke performance but the gas mileage of a 4. You will burn oil in it though because it is a 2 stroke. The four strokes are really getting much better in terms of performance.
Thanks stick um, good to know about the newer Mercs. I wouldn’t mind going with a 4 stroke Merc if it sounds like their performance is good. I anticipate swapping out motors with the boat dealer, so we’ll see how that goes. Here’s another question….should I think about a jack plate? I’ve never used one, but keep hearing/reading about them. Is their main function to improve speed/performance at top speeds?
A jackplate will help all around performance. I put one on my Stratos and my top end went from 53 to 61, holeshot improved, mileage still sucks but I have a 2 stroke carbbed Yamaha 150 so thats to be expected. I do need a bigger prop but that will come in time. Get a hydrollic plate right away though, I have a manuel and its a pain to get dialed in right all the time. With temp changes and water conditions it would be nice to be able to adjust it on the fly. And hydro steering get that. I would also suggest a hot foot throttle so you can keep both hands on the wheel. The blinker style trim levers would be great also. These are things I didnt get but now wish I did.
Thanks for all the tips, I’m building a list of things to put on the rig and these are things that were already on or I was thinking about. I have to admit, I haven’t heard of the “blinker style” trim levers (versus the toggle switches you normally see?)...what’s the scoop with these?
The new Optimax are fantastic! Quite and don’t burn much oil. If I could get a new boat I would go with the Optimax! It is a 2 stroke, but the 2 stroke still has plenty of advantages.
Thanks for all the tips, I’m building a list of things to put on the rig and these are things that were already on or I was thinking about. I have to admit, I haven’t heard of the “blinker style” trim levers (versus the toggle switches you normally see?)...what’s the scoop with these?
they mount next to the steering wheel, like the blinker lever in your car, you can have 1 for you jackplate and 1 for your trim. when your running down the lake you can adjust without taking your hands off the wheel
Thanks for all the tips, I’m building a list of things to put on the rig and these are things that were already on or I was thinking about. I have to admit, I haven’t heard of the “blinker style” trim levers (versus the toggle switches you normally see?)...what’s the scoop with these?
they mount next to the steering wheel, like the blinker lever in your car, you can have 1 for you jackplate and 1 for your trim. when your running down the lake you can adjust without taking your hands off the wheel
The other nicety with the blinker style is if you are standing up watching for rocks when idling in shallow water, the blinker trim switch is easy to get to if mounted on the left hand side of the steering column. It’s a very nice addition.
