19 to 23 - Mercury 150hp engine trouble?

[Pklo]

I'm in the market for a used boat - 2019 to 2023 (maybe)

Both boat models (tracker targa 18/19v and ranger vx1788/1888) mostly seem to come with Mercury 150hp engines. I'm targeting engines with less than 200 hours on them.

I'm reading that some are having trouble with the powerheads "blowing". A costly fix!

Should I be concerned with this engine?

If so, should I consider searching for a 175hp Merc instead? I read that the powerheads are different. (re: v6 engine)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[Chris1956]

Gee, the Mercury 60* V6 motors are a proven design. That doesn't mean that someone cannot cause them to become damaged, but they have a real good track record. The first 2 cycle 60* V6 was made in 1978 in 150/175 HP. They were manufactured for 30 some years with changes to the ignition, charging system, cowl and other minor updates. The newer 4 cycle Mercs are obviously a different design.

If you are picking 2 cycle OBs, they are one of the best choices.

 

[Pklo]

Thanks, Chris. That's helpful.

My concern is specifically with the 2019–2023 Mercury 150 hp FourStroke (3.0L inline-four) versus the 175 hp FourStroke V6 (3.4L).

Have you seen any evidence that the newer 150 hp FourStroke has more powerhead failures than the 175 hp V6? If you were buying a used Tracker or Ranger with fewer than 200 hours, would you have any concerns about either engine?

I'm primarily concerned with long-term reliability and avoiding a costly powerhead replacement.

 

[jimmbo]

I'm primarily concerned with long-term reliability and avoiding a costly powerhead replacement.

If that is what you are looking for, Forget the 4 Strokes, and get one of the older 2 Stroke V6s

 

[Scott Danforth]

Properly maintained motors will go 2000 hours or more

Not sure the focus on below 200 hours has merit

 

[Texasmark]

Been a long time ago I read something about a British race car driver designed or Mercury worked with him, or Mercury just copied his 60* rather than OMC's 90* powerhead configuration. More vague remembering was that one reason OMC used a 90* V was to give them room to put necessities for engine operation in the space it provided. Don't know which is better or what....dropping that 30 degrees helped decrease the size of the powerhead.....looking at the size of OMCs V6 and V8s vs Mercury's.