The case for tuned 4 cylinder 4 strokes

[WavetoWave]

Is there a market for 450 pound 200+ HP outboards? Four strokes would have to be based on the popular 4 cylinder platforms. They are inexpensive, reliable and capable of making the power.

Take a look at the article. What do you think?

https://www.wavetowave.com/home/2018...the-4-cylinder

[home made tunnel]

I'll slap a turbo on my 115 pro xs and let you know . . . But I'm all for it! Upgraded cam shafts, more power, only 360lbs..

[David]

Based on the market for the 200XS, I'd say no. Used 200XS engines don't fly off the shelves, or the SnF buy and sell forum. Admittedly the 200XS was stupid expensive new - more than a 300XS

Sub 20' performance boats are getting pretty rare. Too rare for the OEMs don't support and I'm not optimistic about the aftermarket. That's why I wound up with 2 new engines this year. Bass boats keep getting bigger. I used to joke with my wife that the fish got faster every year as bass boats got faster. Now the fish get bigger every year.

I hope I'm wrong.

[Radiant]

Mercury could’ve slapped on a new DOHC Head on that 3.0 and probably gotten to 200hp. Yamaha makes 200 from 4 cylinders and it is known as one of the weakest 200s on the market. Mercury was smart to move to a lightweight V6 platform.

But i do know on a lot of these light boats, Weight is key. Personally I would love to see the V6 merc in a 250r version. High revving, lighter than an old 250 optimax, but you’d probably sacrifice a little torque.

The problem is theres just not a huge market for this. Now, if a company came out with some parts for the 4 cylinder or v6 to make some serious power, I would be interested

[powerabout]

brp 60 degree 2.7 needs to be a 200hp, stops at 175 for some reason?

[WavetoWave]

brp 60 degree 2.7 needs to be a 200hp, stops at 175 for some reason?

The G2 2.7 comes as a 200, and without the Integrated steering is about 495 Lbs. Not a bad engine.

[WavetoWave]

Based on the market for the 200XS, I'd say no. Used 200XS engines don't fly off the shelves, or the SnF buy and sell forum. Admittedly the 200XS was stupid expensive new - more than a 300XS

Sub 20' performance boats are getting pretty rare. Too rare for the OEMs don't support and I'm not optimistic about the aftermarket. That's why I wound up with 2 new engines this year. Bass boats keep getting bigger. I used to joke with my wife that the fish got faster every year as bass boats got faster. Now the fish get bigger every year.

I hope I'm wrong.

I definitely see your point Dave. I think the affordability of the 4 cylinders is appealing, and although they will never be monsters, 200 or 225 on most light boats is adequate. There seems to be demand, but nothing available.

[powerabout]

The G2 2.7 comes as a 200, and without the Integrated steering is about 495 Lbs. Not a bad engine.

I mean the eagle based engines now at 150hp 2.6 ltr 419lbs

[WavetoWave]

Mercury could’ve slapped on a new DOHC Head on that 3.0 and probably gotten to 200hp. Yamaha makes 200 from 4 cylinders and it is known as one of the weakest 200s on the market. Mercury was smart to move to a lightweight V6 platform.

But i do know on a lot of these light boats, Weight is key. Personally I would love to see the V6 merc in a 250r version. High revving, lighter than an old 250 optimax, but you’d probably sacrifice a little torque.

The problem is theres just not a huge market for this. Now, if a company came out with some parts for the 4 cylinder or v6 to make some serious power, I would be interested

Totally agree with you on the 225, that was a missed opportunity, appeals to a wide range of boats. The V8 is just too heavy for most.

Stay tuned, we have a couple projects looking at this!

[WavetoWave]

I mean the eagle based engines now at 150hp 2.6 ltr 419lbs

Oh right, ya they used to make a 200 version. Phasing those 2.6s out. If that G2 was just 30 Lbs lighter, it would be no contest in that HP range.

[nitro_rat]

The problem for us poor folks is that it just costs too much money for a boat manufacturer to build a small/affordable boat. It doesn't cost much more in material and labor to build a 24' (+) monster than it does to build a 17' rig. The big one sells for a whole lot more so the profit margins are better. As long as there are guys standing in line to buy the big boats (and banks willing to finance them) we don't stand a chance!

[powerabout]

The problem for us poor folks is that it just costs too much money for a boat manufacturer to build a small/affordable boat. It doesn't cost much more in material and labor to build a 24' (+) monster than it does to build a 17' rig. The big one sells for a whole lot more so the profit margins are better. As long as there are guys standing in line to buy the big boats (and banks willing to finance them) we don't stand a chance!

All the small boats should be built in china and shipped ovrr

[WavetoWave]

The problem for us poor folks is that it just costs too much money for a boat manufacturer to build a small/affordable boat. It doesn't cost much more in material and labor to build a 24' (+) monster than it does to build a 17' rig. The big one sells for a whole lot more so the profit margins are better. As long as there are guys standing in line to buy the big boats (and banks willing to finance them) we don't stand a chance!

In general it is true, but the repower market is huge, and these 4 cyl 4 strokes are relatively affordable new, plus there are tons on the used market. You're right about the really small boats, but 18-22 is a really nice size range, that can be reasonably priced.

[XstreamVking]

All the small boats should be built in china and shipped ovrr

Bad idea! If you thought the Hydrostreams were built shoddy, wait until you see what the chimeese would ship over. PURE JUNK.....

[WavetoWave]

Bad idea! If you thought the Hydrostreams were built shoddy, wait until you see what the chimeese would ship over. PURE JUNK.....

I think he was joking. Or I hope he was!