Re: Merc or Yamaha???
I have run both brands of engine you speak of, and wouldn't even consider going with Mercury over Yamaha. <br /><br />My 24' center console was powered with twin Mercury 135HP outboards. These engines were the most troublesome outboards imaginable. I had them for three months and went through stators, powerpacks, and alarm modules on both engines. Finally, the port engine toasted the bottom cylinder and when it came time to rebuild or repower, I repowered. The replacement engine, OX66 injected 250HP Yamaha, is absolutely fantastic. Instant starts, smooth, efficient, quiet, and low smoke are all that I have dealt with on this motor. I have had her since late October and put 130 hours on her over the fall. I can't say enough about it. From a performance stand point, she is pushing a 4500lb. deep-V boat that usually is carrying 2-3 passengers plus myself. She holds 120 gallons of fuel. My cruise speed at 4000RPM's with the 250HP Yamaha is around 26 knots, and she tops out at 5500RPM's clipping along at 38 knots. Pretty impressive for a heavy boat. From a fuel economy stand point, she is burning about 10 gallons per hour at cruise speed, doing 26 knots. I used to run a 20' Mako with a 1998 Evinrude 150HP. Obviously, the Mako couldn't maintain a speed in a sea like the Sea Ray can, so it would take me longer to get places. With the 250HP Yamaha, I am burning the same fuel on the Sea Ray as I did on the Mako.<br /><br />I had carbed Mercs, and they were gas hogs. I averaged one mile per gallon with those motors.<br /><br />Hope this helps.<br /><br />Tight lines,<br />Adam
