1993 Evinrude 200 mods

I have a 20' Stratos with an Evinrude 200 on it. Boat and motor are a 1993 model. The motor was rebuilt with a 225 powerhead. It has a 14.25x25 4-blade stainless prop. Hole shot is pretty good and WOT gets me about 55 mph. I have not measured the fuel consumption, but I know I can empty my 30 gallon tank in a couple of hours pulling a tube. I was just wondering if there were any mods I could do to this motor to either increase fuel efficiency without losing any top end or increase my top speed without losing any fuel efficiency? It would be great if I could gain some speed and top end, but I'm not expecting any miracles. I have considered trying to sale the motor and purchase a smaller 4-stroke (like a 150) but the fuel savings would take a while to justify the initial spend. Anybody got any suggestions?

Re: 1993 Evinrude 200 mods

Sure, run it at a slower speed. it will save lots of fuel if you run at less than 3/4 throttle.

Re: 1993 Evinrude 200 mods

You can change the running characteristics with different props but the main thing you can do is just to get familiar with the motor and find your most efficient RPM ranges. Looking at fuel consumption in gallons per hour you just need to figure out whether you go longer distances at let's say 25mph 3500rpm or 45mph 5000rpm.

These motors are really set up to do one thing one way. Making up your value for 'couple of hours', 30 gallons / 4 hours = 7.5gph. If you got 7.5 pulling a tube that would be pretty good.

Start logging your approximate fuel usage and figure out what works for your setup.

Re: 1993 Evinrude 200 mods

Like everyone said, otyher than changing the prop and speed charateristics, you stuck. Have the same problem with my 87 225. They love to drink fuel like a marine on shore leave after a cruse across the pacific! They can not get enough!

Basically it's shut up spend the money on the gas or the motor. If your motor is paid for, run it till it dies! It's my plan! Then I'll look into a smaller motor or a 4 stroke.

Re: 1993 Evinrude 200 mods

if you were running any where close to WOT and got a couple of hours out of 30 gallons I wannna know your secret....LOL....I really don't think a 4stroke will do you much better, like others have stated monitor your fuel consumption @ different throttle pos. but really 2-3 hours of solid running on 30 gallons is pretty good. you can also purchase an in line fuel flow gage/sensor, they start @ around $150, they can be a great tool in helping you understand your engines thirst @ diff RPM and loads!

Re: 1993 Evinrude 200 mods

Put some 1986 -87 2.7 200 heads on it better gas mileage and better performance cant bat that they are pretty hard to find but well worth it of course you will need to rejet your mains up 2 sizes

Re: 1993 Evinrude 200 mods

Took the boat out this weekend and at WOT and trimmed out, the best I could do was 55 mph and the highest speed I could turn the motor was about 5300 rpm. So I guess that means I am over-propped right? What size prop should I be looking for being that right now I have a 14.25 x 25?

Re: 1993 Evinrude 200 mods

work your way down slowly id try like a 24 pitch raker, should be about 5800 rpms

Re: 1993 Evinrude 200 mods

Put some 1986 -87 2.7 200 heads on it better gas mileage and better performance cant bat that they are pretty hard to find but well worth it of course you will need to rejet your mains up 2 sizes

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With todays gas these heads can cause problems especially at part throttle. If the reman head is a closed deck you have to modify the cooling passage to make cool correctly.

Re: 1993 Evinrude 200 mods

That kind of speed with that boat/motor combo is very good. A little surprizing, but very good.