Thoughts on the new 200 apx?

**JBS** · 10-06-2021, 10:23 AM

I just saw on our cover page for scream n fly the introduction to the new Mercury 200 apx motor. From what I just read it sounds like it's going to be a real winner. What do you think guys?

**Noah Burns** · 10-06-2021, 03:17 PM

it will play no part in north american tunnel racing for some time to come.

**WaterZebra** · 10-09-2021, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by Noah Burns

it will play no part in north american tunnel racing for some time to come.

Agreed............they will never appear in enough numbers to say that they have officially replaced their 2 stroke ancestors. Why they are dragging one out there to to Lake Havasu next weekend makes no sense other than to tempt somebody with something they can't get anyway? If you look at OPC racing since it began in the 60's the engines and boats were intended to be used by the factories and a very select group of dealers in racing for bragging rights to stimulate consumer sales. Beyond that, few people with deep pockets had access to purchasing this stuff. Money is not the problem these days when you have a few boaters who can afford to hang four 450Rs on an offshore hull versus a lightweight rare-to-get OPC tunnel with a 200 APX. I'm not sure that anybody in the USA even builds these boats anymore?

**Zonkercraft** · 10-10-2021, 05:26 AM

Originally Posted by WaterZebra

Money is not the problem these days when you have a few boaters who can afford to hang four 450Rs on an offshore hull versus a lightweight rare-to-get OPC tunnel with a 200 APX. I'm not sure that anybody in the USA even builds these boats anymore?

Rick Hoffman, RJ West, David McMurray, and Gary Pugh might take exception to that statement. Any form of racing/sport can potentially become expensive, if you commit yourself to achieving the top level of your chosen activity. It all depends on the person who chooses to participate.

**WaterZebra** · 10-11-2021, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by Zonkercraft

Rick Hoffman, RJ West, David McMurray, and Gary Pugh might take exception to that statement. Any form of racing/sport can potentially become expensive, if you commit yourself to achieving the top level of your chosen activity. It all depends on the person who chooses to participate.

We'll see who is committed to OPC racing and who still builds the boats in four days.

**tdogcarter** · 10-11-2021, 07:50 AM

I am just waiting for the thread dumpers to see this thread and post
They will add to the conversation and first hand accounts with these new motors

**Capt.Insane-o** · 10-17-2021, 09:45 PM

****ing sell the thing already.

**Mike Nass** · 10-18-2021, 04:02 PM

Thought the same thing when they brought out the 4 stroke MX bikes (450R's, etc.)... now they dominate... there is the argument that over the long haul these will be cheaper to run... most guys show up with 3-4 engines for a NGK race, Merc claims one engine should last a couple seasons with basic maintenance... BTW, Mercury delivered a new 200APX to one of the F1 teams this weekend in Havasu... they are coming... My bet is (Perhaps just a hope) you will see a 15" shiftable version of both the 200 and 360APX in the next year or so...

**JPEROG** · 10-18-2021, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by Mike Nass

Thought the same thing when they brought out the 4 stroke MX bikes (450R's, etc.)... now they dominate... there is the argument that over the long haul these will be cheaper to run... most guys show up with 3-4 engines for a NGK race, Merc claims one engine should last a couple seasons with basic maintenance... BTW, Mercury delivered a new 200APX to one of the F1 teams this weekend in Havasu... they are coming... My bet is (Perhaps just a hope) you will see a 15" shiftable version of both the 200 and 360APX in the next year or so...

I was all jazzed up for the same thing Mike. I was visualizing a mod-vp with a 360 on it. I chased it up the ladder and was told that there was no EPA rating on it and that it would remain a race product for the foreseen future.

Joe