Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Does anyone have a link for a clear description of the differences in the styles, i.e. Verado, Fourstroke, Optimax, ProXS, Seapro and Jet?

I haven't been able to find anything that make is clear and easy.

Thanks.

[quote="ksks"]Does anyone have a link for a clear description of the differences in the styles, i.e. Verado, Fourstroke, Optimax, ProXS, Seapro and Jet?

I haven't been able to find anything that make is clear and easy.

Thanks.[/quote]

Basics are optimax and pro xs are 2 strokes, four stroke are up to 150hp, verado are the 175 hp and everything above it, don't know about the others.

Verados are all digital throttle and shift and also use smaller blocks with superchargers to achieve the hp

This shows all the families here: . https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/engines/outboard/

(As told by my sales guy) the Verado produces more torque for quicker hole shot (pulling a skier), the swap off being it may lose a little top end speed to the non-supercharged engines. (The type of propeller makes a big difference here too.)

Digital controls are sweet. Bump the key, it cranks itself.

I'm kinda guessing here, but SeaPro may have more stainless parts for a salt environment. Also, compare the gear ratios on these engines. That may give you a clue as to differences.

The Jet is fairly obvious. No propeller. Jets are primarily used in rocky, shallow rivers.

The Verado engines are supercharged and come with fully electronic controls. They were designed for linking multiple engines like you'd see in offshore fishing boats. They're strong engines, but very complicated to install--almost requiring an electrical engineer to spec out the wiring harnesses, etc. Some dealers don't even want to sell one unless the boat's factory wired. And the engines are also very heavy. I wouldn't want to have to replace a supercharger--$5K cost for the part. Their Smartcraft electronic gauges are absolutely incredible.

The Merc. Optimax and Pro XS 2 strokes are very popular with bass fishermen. They have an internal compressor and high tech emissions equipment that makes them very efficient on fuel. But they're not as long lasting as old generation 2 strokes. Get a fouled fuel injection and the engine can destroy itsself. Annual maintenance is also very expensive and special oils are also not cheap.

The latest "new" engine has now been out for awhile--150 hp FourStroke. It's great on a pontoon boat, and is a large displacement naturally aspirated engine. Some have said it's a much larger hp motor that's been de-tuned for reliability. I'm surprised that higher horsepower FourStrokes have not come out of this engine, but they'd be in competition with their Verado motors.

Mercury engines are popular with those repowering because Mercury sells them to their dealers much cheaper than Yamaha motors of the same horsepower. Yamaha's really have to come through boat manufacturers (fleet pricing) to be price competitive. They're not as complicated, and many people prefer to stay away from ultra expensive superchargers and other expensive parts.

i never realized that merc made that many usage detailed motors, but then i never bought a new one, but having owned several their good very dependable motors

My 150 has bump start as well and is non verado. I also have cable shift and throttle but the pig tails for smart craft or vessel view are there as well. The 3.0 litre on this motor is a 15% bigger block than the 300 verado pro (high performance) but is lacking the supercharger. Very quick hole shot and good fuel economy even around 4000 rpm which is where I like to cruise. It was so expensive to go to the 200 because of the digital stuff and power steering we didn't do it...if we could have gone to a 225 or 250 on the boat we have it may have been a consideration but the jump from 150 four stroke to 200 verado was minimal performance wise and didn't make financial sense. For now if I want to go fast I jump in the bow rider until it sells.

Thanks for you help guys.

The 150 really looks like the good option for my needs.

ksks

The new Mercury 115 ProXS is not a 2 stroke. Excellent motor receiving super high reviews from the pontoon world. I guess it's more like a 130hp displacement with some advanced timing making it only a couple mph slower than the 150 and I've heard it has a smoother idle than the non verado 150.

They make a command thrust 115 which allows you to turn a much bigger prop than the regular 115. Its not much more than the reg 115 and well worth it.