New boat question

[zippy83]

HI.. I'm looking to get a brand new boat.. Looking to get a Tracker v19 Targa Combo. Standard boat comes with a 150 Mecr 4 stroke but the dealer is insisting to upgrade to a 200 for additional 6k. The boat has a gallon gas tank and weights about 2250LB. Is the upgrade worth the $$? as for speed what would I bee looking at between the two outboards?

Thanks
Zipp

 

[JimS123]

My SeaRay loaded is 2750 and I run a 150 4-stroke. With a prop upgrade I get 50 mph with an 8% prop slip. When I'm running at cruise speed and I kick it, we are literally pushed back in the seat.

The 150 is a 3 liter motor and it gets its power by displacement. The 200 has a tiny 1.7 block and makes its power with a turbo. When I fill up the gas tank after a day's outing I can't believe how little we used.

In my mind, it's not even worth discussing. Naturally, the extra 50 hp will enable you to go faster, if you have the ***** to hang on, and of course if you have an extra 6 grand to give to the dealer. (Don't forget, he probably works on commission.)

 

[zippy83]

My SeaRay loaded is 2750 and I run a 150 4-stroke. With a prop upgrade I get 50 mph with an 8% prop slip. When I'm running at cruise speed and I kick it, we are literally pushed back in the seat.

The 150 is a 3 liter motor and it gets its power by displacement. The 200 has a tiny 1.7 block and makes its power with a turbo. When I fill up the gas tank after a day's outing I can't believe how little we used.

In my mind, it's not even worth discussing. Naturally, the extra 50 hp will enable you to go faster, if you have the ***** to hang on, and of course if you have an extra 6 grand to give to the dealer. (Don't forget, he probably works on commission.)

Thanks for the reply... The dealer states that the 150 MERC will push this boat fully loaded anywhere from 41-43 mp/h... He is not giving me an estimate speed with the 200 as an option. If I'm going to gain 4-5mp/h with the 200 I'm not sure if that is worth the 6K. And yes the sales guy is on commission.. Is 5 mph worth 6K?

Which Engine is a better engine?

150 XL FourStroke
or
200 XL Pro XS® FourStroke w/DTS controls

Thanks Zipp

 

[dingbat]

From performance reports the difference is close to 10 miles per hour plus you get the DTS controls

Boat weighted #4,600 as tested and rated to 225 hp.

The 150 Hp is the “price point” model

 

[zippy83]

From performance reports the difference is close to 10 miles per hour plus you get the DTS controls

Boat weighted #4,600 as tested and rated to 225 hp.

The 150 Hp is the “price point” model

I am not familiar with what the DTS controls but if I can get anywhere from 7-10 mp/h I think it would be worth going with it..

 

[gm280]

That's not a new boat question. We are asked that same questions on here all the time. Oh....wait....ah.....never mind...

I can tell you going 50 MPH in a boat isn't like going 50 MPH in a vehicle. It gives you the feeling of going twice as fast in a boat. And while that is fun, it isn't how you would drive the boat 99% of the time. So yes, the extra speed is fun, but not worth the money in my opinion.

I has a Bass Boat that would do well over 60 MPH. And rarely would I ever get to drive it that fast for multiple reasons being other boats on the water, rough water, wind, and so many other issues. And there for I cruses sensibly between 40 to 45 MPH most of the time or even slower... JMHO

But it is your money and your option to buy whatever you want... Just remember, speed costs in gas money!

 

[dingbat]

I am not familiar with what the DTS controls

Fly by wire shift and throttle control
no shift and throttle cables

 

[JimS123]

Thanks for the reply... The dealer states that the 150 MERC will push this boat fully loaded anywhere from 41-43 mp/h... He is not giving me an estimate speed with the 200 as an option. If I'm going to gain 4-5mp/h with the 200 I'm not sure if that is worth the 6K. And yes the sales guy is on commission.. Is 5 mph worth 6K?

Which Engine is a better engine?

150 XL FourStroke
or
200 XL Pro XS® FourStroke w/DTS controls

Thanks Zipp

41-43 to me sounds low, considering that mine as delivered gave me 47, with similar weight. Could my hull be that much better? My 50 was achieved after upgrading to an Enertia (most awesome prop I ever used).

In the waters I ply, waves are often an issue. I typically run at ~30 mph, so having the extra 20 is of no concern to me. Based on my performance curves, 30 is the optimum cruise throttle anyway (best mpg) so for me it works out well. Do you want to be able to blow everybody's doors off, or go out to have family fun?

Which is better? I dunno. In one case tried and true cables and rods and a big block. In the other, servos and all the extra parts associated with a turbo. Tried and true vs. modern tech. You be the judge.

We once had a 'ski with an SC and it turned out to be more extra maintenance that I liked. So, we switched back to an NA. Much better fuel economy, no maintenance and it has been bulletproof for 6 seasons now.

 

[Alumarine]

According to the merc site the 200 is 3.4 liter normally aspirated.

 

[ahicks]

That's not a new boat question. We are asked that same questions on here all the time. Oh....wait....ah.....never mind...

I can tell you going 50 MPH in a boat isn't like going 50 MPH in a vehicle. It gives you the feeling of going twice as fast in a boat. And while that is fun, it isn't how you would drive the boat 99% of the time. So yes, the extra speed is fun, but not worth the money in my opinion.

I has a Bass Boat that would do well over 60 MPH. And rarely would I ever get to drive it that fast for multiple reasons being other boats on the water, rough water, wind, and so many other issues. And there for I cruses sensibly between 40 to 45 MPH most of the time or even slower... JMHO

But it is your money and your option to buy whatever you want... Just remember, speed costs in gas money!

I agree. For me the decision would involve tubers and water skiers. That would be the only way I could justify spending the extra money (to buy, or to feed!).

 

[zippy83]

41-43 to me sounds low, considering that mine as delivered gave me 47, with similar weight. Could my hull be that much better? My 50 was achieved after upgrading to an Enertia (most awesome prop I ever used).

In the waters I ply, waves are often an issue. I typically run at ~30 mph, so having the extra 20 is of no concern to me. Based on my performance curves, 30 is the optimum cruise throttle anyway (best mpg) so for me it works out well. Do you want to be able to blow everybody's doors off, or go out to have family fun?

Which is better? I dunno. In one case tried and true cables and rods and a big block. In the other, servos and all the extra parts associated with a turbo. Tried and true vs. modern tech. You be the judge.

We once had a 'ski with an SC and it turned out to be more extra maintenance that I liked. So, we switched back to an NA. Much better fuel economy, no maintenance and it has been bulletproof for 6 seasons now.

Obviously this boat is a combo boat deep V hull. Aside from fishing I would like to take the family out for some tubing and fun on the water. I have no idea what the optimal speed is for a tube on the water or skies. My current fishing boat can get up to 30 mp/h with an 1973 Merc 50HP. I was hoping that a 150 could push it closer to 50 but you are right.. You dont want to cruise on max RPM for various reasons. Some of the youtube videos I looked at it don't seem that a 200 outboard can push it past 55. I'm still considering it because I could run at 30/mph with less stress on the motor.

Marc C is correct. the Merc 200 is a naturally aspirated engine V8 4.6L where the 150 is a V6 3.4L Engine.

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

Five years from now you won’t miss the $6000 one bit but for sure won’t be able to ad fifty hp for $6000 then.

given the costs of new boats I’d beg borrow or steal $6000 if that’s all it is going to add.

my 2017 with twin 150 Yamahas was going to be $25k to increase the hp on the pair I’m still thinking about it to this day.

 

[zippy83]

Five years from now you won’t miss the $6000 one bit but for sure won’t be able to ad fifty hp for $6000 then.

given the costs of new boats I’d beg borrow or steal $6000 if that’s all it is going to add.

my 2017 with twin 150 Yamahas was going to be $25k to increase the hp on the pair I’m still thinking about it to this day.

You are right about the future... I think I have my mind made up..

 

[BWR1953]

To quote my dad:

If some is good.

More is better.

And too much is JUST RIGHT! :lol:

When I bought my new Bass Tracker in 1985, I got the "price point" motor. And regretted it shortly after the purchase and onward until the day I sold it some 8 years later. Retrofitting a larger motor simply didn't make sense because the expense was too high. :blue:

Go for it. :thumb:

 

[MRS]

Never heard anyone say I wish I less power. But I have heard people say I wish I had more power!

 

[JASinIL2006]

Obviously this boat is a combo boat deep V hull. Aside from fishing I would like to take the family out for some tubing and fun on the water. I have no idea what the optimal speed is for a tube on the water or skies. My current fishing boat can get up to 30 mp/h with an 1973 Merc 50HP. I was hoping that a 150 could push it closer to 50 but you are right.. You dont want to cruise on max RPM for various reasons. Some of the youtube videos I looked at it don't seem that a 200 outboard can push it past 55. I'm still considering it because I could run at 30/mph with less stress on the motor.

Marc C is correct. the Merc 200 is a naturally aspirated engine V8 4.6L where the 150 is a V6 3.4L Engine.

For tubing, 20-25 mph is plenty, maybe a bit slower for small kids. Skiing on two skies, you probably want to shoot for 24-28 mph, while slalom skiing requires about 30 mph or higher. The biggest advantage of more power is less about top end speed and much more about low end torque. Especially for skiing, you want to be able to pop the skier out of the water quickly. Having extra power for the holeshot is key.

 

[dingbat]

41-43 to me sounds low, considering that mine as delivered gave me 47, with similar weight. Could my hull be that much better?

His dry hull weight is similar to your loaded weight.

The “as tested “weight in the performance bulletin was #4,600

 

[ahicks]

for tubing, 20-25 mph is plenty, maybe a bit slower for small kids. Skiing on two skies, you probably want to shoot for 24-28 mph, while slalom skiing requires about 30 mph or higher. The biggest advantage of more power is less about top end speed and much more about low end torque. Especially for skiing, you want to be able to pop the skier out of the water quickly. having extra power for the holeshot is key.

yes!

 

[zippy83]

Thanks everyone... Another question is if I go with the 200 would it be recommended to get a Kicker at some point for trolling?

 

[Alumarine]

The Merc 200 is a naturally aspirated engine V8 4.6L where the 150 is a V6 3.4L Engine.

Actually I think the 200 is a V6 3.4L and the 150 is 3.0L inline 4.