Merc. Verado Engines

[pelkins]

Does anyone have any experience with the new Merc Verado engines. I have a merc (200hp Black Max)that is 11 years old and runs like a champ, but I also know its days are numbered. This engine has been so good to me that I want to give merc another shot. However, I am weary of the Verado as it is a completely new design for them. Any feedback is much appreciated.

[Slamdance]

I have operated a vessel with a 225 Verado on it. It is a great engine as far as I could tell. The proof will be in the longevity factor, as some are worried about pumping out that much HP from a relatively small block and the use of superchargers in the marine environment. Unlike some manufacurers in the past, Merc has a reputation for doing a lot of field testing before putting a product on the market.

[nattybo]

they also have a reputation of not doing so well, I have had bad luck with
a 2000 250 sucked up water through the lower unit like a bilge pump.
but I have also had a 25 hp merc for almost 20 years seems the smaller ones
do better .

[Slamdance]

they also have a reputation of not doing so well, I have had bad luck with
a 2000 250 sucked up water through the lower unit like a bilge pump.
but I have also had a 25 hp merc for almost 20 years seems the smaller ones
do better .

The Verado has only been available since 2004. Not sure how you could have a 2000 model year Verado.

[pelkins]

Thanks for the feedback. I guess time will tell. I read somewhere that merc spent something like 200mil designing the engine. Hopefully my engine will last long enough so the verado will have more of a track record when it dies.

[soundownsam]

I am sure that the 2000 model 250 was an EFI as there were no Verados at the time. I am also pretty sure that there was no 250 XS for the 2000 model year.

Sam

[Capt.ChrisLembo]

Big money difference. You will pay over $21,000 for a Verado and a 225 Opti will be less than $14,000. With the Verado you must also purchase the DTS Throttle package and it is almost $3,000 with installation at my marina.

The Verados that the other guides have been using at my marina have performed very well. There has been one pair that is over a year and a half old (guide was a test user for merc) with a few minor overheating problems that were fixed.

But....both complain of very high gas consumption compared to what they expected. They both swapped over from 225 opti's to 250 Verados. They thought that even though they went up in HP they would come out the same but they did not. only diff has been oil expense.

[pelkins]

Thanks for the info. I was aware that they were more $ but I didnt realize the stering system was purchased seperately. If I were to get one it would probably be the 175 4 cylinder. My boat is only 20ft. I wonder how the 4 cylinder engines will do with gas?

The Price of the two strokes is a strong point you make. The newer ones are significantly quieter than older models. I have heard from other two stroke owners(Evinrude) that gas consumption is comparable to four strokes.

[Codfisher]

I put a Suzuki 250 4 stroke on my new boat. It is absolutely silent at idle, no smoke, no oil fills to deal with, and extremely economical to run. I looked at the Verados but couldnt justify the difference in cost.

[Ken Catch]

I've got a 225 hp Four Stroke Yamaha with 420hrs on it. It pushes a 24' Privateer w/wheelhouse at 26 kts cruise at 4300rpm. She'll top out at 35 knots WOT. I replaced a 150 FICHT with this motor. I got a 20% increase in fuel economy and a 75 hp boost. When I drive away from the dock people say wow was "that thing running this whole time". Another commercial operator I know has over 2500hrs on his. All he's ever done is recall work, filters, plugs, and oil. I'm hoping to get the same as my Evinrude died at 450 hrs.
The Lesson
BUY A YAMAHA --127-3-

[Capt.ChrisLembo]

I am partial as I am on the Honda program. I have a pair of 225's on my Palmetto Custom 29. The boat weighs in over 9,500 fully loaded and the Hondas with Powertech 4 blade 15x 17 props will cruise 34 mph at 4300 RPM burning 19 GPH and 44 mph WOT.

The Hondas have been extremely reliable and maintenance is a breeze. Change oil at 100 hrs (DIY cost $84) change LU oil at 100 hrs (diy cost $15), change thermostats and impellers annually (diy cost $150) change fuel filters at 400 hrs (diy cost $80) cost is for 2 motors. It takes me 1 1/2 hrs to change oil, 1 hr for LU oil, thermostats 1/2 hr, impellers 3 hrs, fuel filters 1/2 hr. no impact on warranty as long as documented use of Honda Marine products.

I ran a pair of 225's for 1 1/2 years to 825 hrs with no issues and traded them in for a new pair in February and now have 200 hours on them mwith no issues.

It is not economical to repower with Verados for a recreational user. Brunswick has recently purchased, Albemarle, Palmetto, Sea Pro, Sea Boss and is working on other boat mfg'rs so they can put the Verados on new boats so it will be less expensive for the initial purchase as well as when you repower.