Which Motor for new Nitro Sport 188

[Looking4Lakes]

I'm plan to purchase a new Nitro Sport 188 (Fish and Ski) this season. The Motor options are as follows, with their associated prices<br /><br />Mercury 115 ELPTO $18,395.00 +$0.00 (Base)<br />Mercury 125 ELPTO $18,975.00 +$580.00 <br />Mercury 115 EFI4-STR $20,235.00 +$1,840.00 <br />Mercury 150 XR6 $20,900.00 +$2,505.00 <br />Mercury 150 EFI $23,420.00 +$5,025.00 <br />Mercury 135 OptiMax $24,060.00 +$5,665.00 <br />Mercury 150 OptiMax $26,130.00 +$7,735.00 <br /><br />I'm looking for some advice and/or recommendations of these motor options. Their web site has stats and motor technology speak which goes a bit over my head. <br /><br />Any advise from those of you who are experienced with motors would be appreciated. Would YOU spend the extra money for these motor upgrades?<br /><br />Thanks in advance

 

[corm]

Re: Which Motor for new Nitro Sport 188

Hi LFL,<br />This is proably to late, but here is my take<br />on it.<br />Mercury 115 ELPTO $18,395.00 +$0.00 (Base)to small of motor for sking.<br />Mercury 125 ELPTO $18,975.00 +$580.00 same cubic inch,not much improvment.<br />Mercury 115 EFI4-STR $20,235.00 +$1,840.00nice,but no <br />Mercury 150 XR6 $20,900.00 +$2,505.00 fastest<br />Mercury 150 EFI $23,420.00 +$5,025.00nice and fast too. <br />Mercury 135 OptiMax $24,060.00 +$5,665.00best all around deal,good power & speed. meets EPA reg for 2006.<br />Mercury 150 OptiMax $26,130.00 +$7,735.00probably the best but only if your going to keep it for a long time, most speed for the motors listed that meets the EPA regs. Unless you got a lot of money to spend.<br /><br />...have fun...corm

 

[Looking4Lakes]

Re: Which Motor for new Nitro Sport 188

Thanks Corm. No it's not too late, I haven't ordered the boat yet. I was at the Boston Boat show yesterday and I'm now thinking that the next size up Sport 288 @ 20' with the 150XR6 is the best boat for my needs, and the cost is only $500 more than the Sport 188 with the 150XR6. This should give me more versatility to bring more people, use the extra cargo space when boat camping, have the more powerful engine for tubing/skiing, and give the boat more stability in rougher waters. Thanks for your comments.

 

[corm]

Re: Which Motor for new Nitro Sport 188

Hi L4L,<br />Sounds like a good value upgrade.<br />Enjoy it.<br /><br />...have fun...corm