new merc 4 stroke rumors?

**mercrazy** · 02-03-2018, 02:33 PM

is merc introducing a new 4 stroke in 200 to 250hp for bass boats?
if so, will it be a v6 naturally aspirated?
do they realize verados will never be competitive on bass boats?

**Noah Burns** · 02-03-2018, 02:39 PM

I know nothing about Verados, why will they not be competitive on bass boats? to heavy I would assume.

**mercrazy** · 02-03-2018, 02:47 PM

right, too heavy.
if they would make a simple v6 with no blowers, no electric steering, etc. they would dominate bass boats completely.
G2s are technical nightmares and SHOs are almost as ugly and replacement part costs are ridiculous.

**XstreamVking** · 02-03-2018, 02:47 PM

There's been rumors of a 175 and a 200 from the existing 3.0l 4 cyl platform. I think it will be hard to get 200 hp from it though. 175 probably not too hard.

**BUZZIN' DOZEN** · 02-03-2018, 03:40 PM

I see no reason, after what they've accomplished on the big V-rod, that it's "little" brother can't be upped to 250-300 hp

**Capt.Insane-o** · 02-03-2018, 03:48 PM

There is upcoming emission hoops of fire, that's why.

**XstreamVking** · 02-03-2018, 04:02 PM

200 verado's are 510 lbs for a light 20''er. Add for power steering etc. And superchargers are expensive as heck to replace. I will stick with the opti and it's compressor. It's a better motor overall. the verado's have a 2.08 gear where the opti's only need a 1.75. Merc needs a non supercharged efi motor in the 200hp range coming in at about 450#s for it to be worth it to switch from the opti's.

**Markus** · 02-03-2018, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by mercrazy

SHOs are almost as ugly and replacement part costs are ridiculous.

Are the bass boaters not happy with the SHOs?

**Radiant** · 02-03-2018, 04:31 PM

I don't think Mercury will do a V6. I am thinking an I6 loosely based on the Verado platform with no supercharger. You can lighten it up some by not needing components built to handle boost. Aim for the weight to be in the range of the Yamaha Sho and it should be a winner. The problem with the Verado block is it is a 2.6l I6 with absolutely no room to increase cylinder bores. I like the I6 design though, zero-maintenance valve train makes it so you really never have to take it to the dealer

**mercrazy** · 02-03-2018, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by Markus

Are the bass boaters not happy with the SHOs?

most are after they worked through the bearing failures.
but they haven't had to pay for replacements parts yet.
most of the guys that bought em trade before warranty expires.
merc is just missing the boat in my opinion.
a big v6 built like a suzuki with timing chain would sell like hotcakes.

**Noah Burns** · 02-03-2018, 05:00 PM

Originally Posted by mercrazy

most are after they worked through the bearing failures.
but they haven't had to pay for replacements parts yet.
most of the guys that bought em trade before warranty expires.
merc is just missing the boat in my opinion.
a big v6 built like a suzuki with timing chain would sell like hotcakes.

hit the nail on the head! when the SHO came out we were replacing powerheads left and right at the dealership I was with at the time. They fixed a few issues and it seemed to get better. Most of the guys buying them get rid of them in time to not have to worry about paying for parts, not to mention, a creative service manager can usually get an out of warranty engine fixed as long as it's not tooooo old.

**99fxst99** · 02-03-2018, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by XstreamVking

There's been rumors of a 175 and a 200 from the existing 3.0l 4 cyl platform. I think it will be hard to get 200 hp from it though. 175 probably not too hard.

I have had some time with the 150 4cyl and it's an awesome engine. Reminded me of the old 135 V6. Very conservatively rated and very reliable. I think 200 hp is achievable.

**mercrazy** · 02-03-2018, 06:02 PM

Originally Posted by 99fxst99

I have had some time with the 150 4cyl and it's an awesome engine. Reminded me of the old 135 V6. Very conservatively rated and very reliable. I think 200 hp is achievable.

yes it is a good engine but it has 1 design problem.
water collects in the fuel pump housing since it's the lowest point. motor runs fine at lower rpms but at higher speed it picks up the water and delivers it to bottom cylinder causing an intermittent miss. the first one i worked on did this and almost drove me crazy.
another stupid design is the lower cowl. it takes longer to remove the cowl than fix the engine.
and you're wasting time on an engine that can't deliver 250hp on a bass boat.

**mercrazy** · 02-04-2018, 09:37 AM

just heard there will be an announcement in 10 days.

**CircleHook** · 02-05-2018, 10:58 AM

You can buy the merc 150 4S new with warranty fo $9999.00 out the door - no tax (out of state) no shipping- I did and I rigged it.
Very pleased- Boat runs same speeds and it did with 2 stroke 2.5 150hp. Nearly twice the milage. I will admit another 25- 50 hp would be nice but not worth 3-4K.