merc 150 or 175 hp

Hi All,
I am buying a new crownline 19 xs and have the option of going maximum hp with merc 175 pro xs or a 150 4 stroke. The 4 stroke is a 3 litre in line 4, the 2 stroke a 2.5 litre v6. My understanding is they are equal environmentally, and the fuel consumption isnt going to differ that much. In fact any difference isnt going to bother me. I like the 3 litres of displacement on the 4 stroke and I like the v6 of the 175 hp. My question, is there going to be a big enough difference in performance to justify the 175 hp. I am into water sports and am not as light or fit as I once was so I like to minimize the time being dragged through the water. I will also keep this boat for the long haul. Any thoughts are welcome. Thanks.

Re: merc 150 or 175 hp

The 175 will run laps around the 4 stroke 150. Even if the 175 were a 4 stroke and the 150 were a 2 stroke 2.5 liter the 2 stroke would still run laps around the 4 stroke. All of the people that I have known that have gone from a 2 stroke ( especially the 2.5 merc aka the KING of outboards) to a similar or higher HP 4 stroke were extremely disappointed. The only thing the 4 stroke does that the 2 stroke doesnt is idle quietly. HUGE Difference between the two as far as performance.

Re: merc 150 or 175 hp

I am into water sports and am not as light or fit as I once was so I like to minimize the time being dragged through the water. I will also keep this boat for the long haul.

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Being you are a skier and the Crownline in a deep "v" hull the 175XS would be the better choice as it has a little better grunt on low end. Get a S/S prop for weekend cruising and riding and a aluminum a couple pitches smaller but bigger in diameter for skiing.

All of the people that I have known that have gone from a 2 stroke ( especially the 2.5 merc aka the KING of outboards) to a similar or higher HP 4 stroke were extremely disappointed. The only thing the 4 stroke does that the 2 stroke doesnt is idle quietly. HUGE Difference between the two as far as performance.

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All my fishing buddys that have went to 4 stroke are tickled pink with them I have several in club that have the Skeeter 20i's with the 250SHO and they smoke the guys that have Triton and Basscats with 250XS on top end. Have one fellow with a Blazer and 250SS Suzuki that runs dang near 80mph loaded!! If I buy a new motor for fishing it will be a 4 stroke....

Re: merc 150 or 175 hp

The 4 stroke will run smoother but the 2 stroke will always have more torque, especially being a v-6

Re: merc 150 or 175 hp

I work with a guy that traded in his '98 150HP 2.5 merc last year for his fishing boat. You can't hear it idle. Impressed the hell out of me on the dock. Older displacement hull fishing boat. With the old 2 stroke 150 he was hitting about 51 MPH with the current. He gets her up to 45 mph now and it has no where near the acceleration it did before. It is quiet though. Damn quiet.

My 2.0 liter fat block 150HP has no problem with 70 mph but thats apples and oranges against his. My money would be on the 175.

Faztbullet said:

Being you are a skier and the Crownline in a deep "v" hull the 175XS would be the better choice as it has a little better grunt on low end. Get a S/S prop for weekend cruising and riding and a aluminum a couple pitches smaller but bigger in diameter for skiing.

All my fishing buddys that have went to 4 stroke are tickled pink with them I have several in club that have the Skeeter 20i's with the 250SHO and they smoke the guys that have Triton and Basscats with 250XS on top end. Have one fellow with a Blazer and 250SS Suzuki that runs dang near 80mph loaded!! If I buy a new motor for fishing it will be a 4 stroke....

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Re: merc 150 or 175 hp

If you run often at a very fast cruise, the 175 hp Pro XS would be tempting. It's very understated on horsepower, and is actually like 190-192 hp.

The 4 stroke is very quiet and smooth at an idle up to 3/4 throttle. The 2 stroke is not so smooth, and louder. There should be relatively little difference in the cost of operation. Both engines are loud at full throttle.

The 4 stroke will last longer. But most people never wear out their 2 stroke motors. It's all up to your use with the motor.

Re: merc 150 or 175 hp

Thanks for the input. It's not an easy choice. It seems you can find any answer you want. I have to admit I am either suspicious or don't understand how a 150, 175 and 200 hp 2 stroke merc have identical displacement, bore, stroke gear ratio etc. what makes the higher hp other than the sticker on the shroud and the price. Is it really worth the money to buy the higher end of an identical platform. Maybe I am missing something. As always bring on the feedback. Dan

Re: merc 150 or 175 hp

don't understand how a 150, 175 and 200 hp 2 stroke merc have identical displacement, bore, stroke gear ratio etc.

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Differences are in the ECM's, port timing/height in cylinder, air/fuel injectors and sometimes pump pressure.

Re: merc 150 or 175 hp

The same basic platform goes up to 280 HP with the same displacement. Quite a motor.