New 175hp 4 stroke outboards?

Hi everybody - With particular reference to those on the West Coast (Closer to Australia!!??) is there anybody there who can tell me the best prices and place to pick up a new 175HP 4 stroke outboard: Am interested in Mercury Verado, Mariner, Honda, Evinrude, - Whatever - so long as it is a good model. I would like to be able to get back over to L.A., San Diego, San Francisco etc to pick one up (And do some more snow skiing at Mammoth and Lake Tahoe while there!!??)
I have checked on line and come up with Marine Max who have the Mercury Verado at about US$13,800 - Any thoughts? Anybody know any equal or better deals without restricting to on-line deals?
Cheers,

Grahame C

Re: New 175hp 4 stroke outboards?

In my opinion too many moving parts in a 4 stroke.Too many complicated service intervals.
Evinrude is a direct injected 2 stroke no service required for 3 years or 300 hours.
No breakin in period.Fewer and less complicated service intervals.Meet or exceed all CARB requirements.Evinrude is the motor for official boats on lake Tahoe.

Re: New 175hp 4 stroke outboards?

Ok - For the 2 stroke we have to go back up to 200HP. What Evinrude do you recommend? Any ideas on best deals etc for full outfit items (I would be shipping it back to Australia and do fitout at home.)
Cheers

Re: New 175hp 4 stroke outboards?

Why do you feel you need to go up to 200 HP just becaue Evinrude happens to be a two-stroke DFI engine.

Re: New 175hp 4 stroke outboards?

EDIT

I hope you have dealerships "down under" that can work on modern outboards. With direct fuel injection, high level electronics (CAN/BUS) and electronic modules all over them--shade tree independent boat mechanics simply don't have the scanners and factory service training required to maintain modern outboards. Good luck!

Re: New 175hp 4 stroke outboards?

Hi Bamaman,
Thank you for the info.At the prices even the Verado 4 is a good price - I have a low slung 24' sports cruiser (More like a large speedboat with low slung cabin) that currently has a 200HP 2 stroke so would still be rated for the 200 4 stroke (I think.) Do you know if the price includes the remote controls etc? I am sure one of our Sydney outboard specialists will be able to do the install but will check first.
What are the current models of the 200 ELPTO PRO XS like re carbs and fuel?

Re: New 175hp 4 stroke outboards?

What are the current models of the 200 ELPTO PRO XS like re carbs and fuel?

Click to expand...

The Pro XS's are Optimax 2 stroke direct fuel injection motors. The 4 stroke weight disadvantage is dissappearing slowly as new technologies evolve. I think the new Yamaha 4's are the lightest in their class. You probably wouldn't have any problems with the weight. I'm not sold on the Verado's dependability but I heard talk of them being a much better motor in 2012. You got the word about the install, it's going to be hard to find a dealer that will sell you the motor without doing the install. It's not the dealers choice it's the manufacturers who demand it. You might be able to work something out between a dealer in the states and one where you are but I'd make sure before you lay down any cash.

Be very careful about prices that are really low. There are a lot of factory warranty replacement motors (motors that were replaced with new motors under warranty then bought by independents, fixed and resold). These can be bought but have no factory warranty and are sold as-is. They do not require factory installation which is why you can buy them online and have them shipped direct to you. Pretty much if it's over 25hp and you can buy it online and get it shipped to you without being a dealer or certified installer then it's suspect.

If you like to ski at Tahoe, they're making snow daily. EDIT Good luck in your quest.

As a side note, we did the math on the Etec's.. They aren't any cheaper as far as maintenance goes but they do develop that beloved two stroke torque that you won't get with a 4 stroke. And contrary to popular believe a well tuned Pro XS will kick their butts all day long.

Re: New 175hp 4 stroke outboards?

Hi - Firstly to Silvertip - Only going back up to 200HP 2 stroke because that is the HP currently on the boat - I only went down to the 175 because I was momentarily led by others in Aus that there was no 200HP 4 stroke and that the boat might not be rated for a 225. Now I know better. I am also now thinking my 24' sports cruiser (Really a 24' speedboat with low slung fwd cabin) could go even bigger on the 2 stroke. How are the E-Tec and the Pro XS's for noise compared to the 4 strokes?

Hi also to Steve - Thanks heaps for the input - It is great to be made more aware of the possible traps. From what you are saying the Pro XS is a good option in the 2 strokes - Is this your preferred choice or is there a better one? Are the 2 strokes free from compulsory dealer installation?

Cheers,

Grahame C

Re: New 175hp 4 stroke outboards?

Yamaha has a page on their web site called "Performance Tests". go there. You can then select any engine type (two/four stroke), the HP range, then the boat type, and they display test reports that provide time to plane, speed at rpm, fuel consumption and in most cases noise levels. What is rather interesting is that in more recent tests noise is not listed. Probably because at wide open throttle, four strokes are not that much quieter (if at all) than many current two strokes. Yes -- the may appear quieter but four strokes make a different noise - not necessarily louder or quieter than that made by a two stroke. So perhaps they lost that bargaining chip and chose to no longer list it. You can then compare those noise levels with those from any other manufacturer wherever you find it. But on the Yamaha site you can compare two stroke and four stroke yamahas of the same HP. And for your info -- if you start looking at fuel consumption, do not compare fuel economy at the same engine rpm because that is misleading. Two strokes almost always push a boat faster than a four stroke at any given rpm. Compare fuel economy numbers at the same "boat speed"

Re: New 175hp 4 stroke outboards?

Gentlemen. iboats is a retailer of new and preowned outboards and we have a rule against promoting competitors. This is on the line only because iboats doesn't have a suitable outboard listed at this time.

Please cease linking to competitors and listing their prices. It does violate the spirit of the rule.

Re: New 175hp 4 stroke outboards?

Hi, Silvertip - Thank you (And all others) who provided me with such great information and insight. However, from the note submitted by JB it appears I may have inadvertantly brought the 'wrath' upon you. It is the second time I have inadvertantly erred in my short time hee and my thoughts are that JB could have approached things in a much more congenial manner than was the case in the first error of my ways. Now we have a situation where they do not have a suitable motor to offer but we should not discuss it in the meanwhile. Sorry fellas - I wish you all the best, not only in your boating and fishing, but in your lives in general. For me - I'm outta here.

Re: New 175hp 4 stroke outboards?

Hi Steve, I will contact those people near Tahoe you told me about re the motors. Your mail box is full so could not swend private message. Perhaps link up in a few days by email?

Re: New 175hp 4 stroke outboards?

I don't run into many members who like it when they don't read, then break our rules and get moderated for it. You have been allowed much more latitude than most, Yamahahaha.

Thank you for your future cooperation.

Re: New 175hp 4 stroke outboards?

Ive heard and seen more problematic E-TEC's, don't know if BRP has fixed all those mid 2000 issues, but there seems to be many
200+hr motors with bad pistons, so do your research but E-Tec is not cheap if you can afford it I'd Go with yamaha...proven reliability when maintained

Re: New 175hp 4 stroke outboards?

If repowering my pontoon boat, I'd be going with the brand new model of Mercury 150 hp--that uses regular Merc controls and hookups. The price is very reasonable. The supercharged Verados appears great, but a $1350 throttle control (fly by wire) plus $600 setup breaks the camel's back.

If I was looking at larger motors, I'd be going with the Yamaha SHO series 200-225-250 hp. Right now, the problem is that they're only 20" motors--with longer drives in the future. I saw them this Summer at the Bassmaster Elite bass tournaments, and they're absolutely gorgeous. And, they're very, very light, and are very strong performers.

Re: New 175hp 4 stroke outboards?

Hi, Yes, I am beginning to lean back towards the Yamaha but still tossing whether 4 or 2 stroke - My local Yam dealer I have used for parts says the 200HP 4 is way out in front of the 2 strokes when it comes to open water fishing - Have you heard anything more on these over there?

Re: New 175hp 4 stroke outboards?

Hi Bamaman1, Fueled with all the good info from you guys and some more discussion with my local dealer where I get parts for the old 1986 200HP Yam 2 stroke I am now weighing up a Yamaha 200HP 4 stroke and the 200/225 2 strokes. The boat is used a lot for open water fishing, cruising Sydney Harbour and some salt water ski-ing etc. The dealer tells me the 4 stroke is way out in front - even though he can probably get more money by selling me a 225 2 stroke. Only problem for the 4stroke is they have only 25" and my transom is just 20" so I would need to build it up.