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Shap from La.
Which engine would you put on a 2011 PIV? (Your vote has been cast.)Total votes: 22 Mercury 200 ProXS 10(45%) Yamaha 200 SHO 12(55%)You may select 1 optionOrdering a new PIV soon and cant decide on powerplant
Id run a 200 HO Etec on there, I know its not a choice of yours but Im a Evinrude guy and LOVE that the P4 Runs best with a Evinrude or a Yamahammer!!!!! Rick and Ivan stated to me its simply the Lower unit design molding with the P4s hull design, they just run hotter and better on the back….that S.H.O. will Kick Ass on the back, I.M. Flyswatter on what he thought, hes Owned a 150 HO Etec on a Sabre 2008, Yamahammer Series 2 on a 2009 P4 and then re-powered for a couple hours with a 200 SHO on that P4, funny couple hours ha Tom!!!! Id ask him his thoughts, even though we all know his answer since hes the Official Yamaha SHO ambassador of Alabama!!!!! Tom im moving closer to you than ever soon, were lookin at South Carolina, Columbia area……Brannon
There are a few Pantera IV models out there with 200 SHO engines on them. Tom had one long enough to figure out how it ran for the most part. They always give Flyswatter a hard time on his brief ownership of the Pantera IV and 200 SHO, he sold a 200 HPDI S2 and repowered his new Pantera IV. The reason he sold his Pantera IV models is he was told that he was a candidate for a new Eyra with a 200 ShO on it for a pre production boat with a 200 SHO. Thus his dealer spok to him and sold Flyswatters new Pantera IV and newer SHO, after a long wait for the engine on his Pantera IV, he had a longer wait on the production of his Eyra. He was very patient, more like he was very understanding.Obviously there are not a lot of Pantera IV models and 200 SHO engines. The engine is relatively new, and there are several more 2010 with new 200 Pro XS engine on them. The decision is yours and either way you cant go wrong on the engine. The real choice is yours and which engine do you really want to run? Go with your heart on this one and you will be more happy. At this time Flyswatter has the only retail Eyra with any engine out of BCB. It is an as production unit with very few hand made parts. It looks and is as production from all appearances. The internal unseen parts are somewhat custom. We do appreciate Flyswatter being a little of a guinea pig, though he really has a nice combination and at this time the only one like it in captivity. Thanks Fly! BCB
There is nothing as argumentative as a motor preference question on a bassboat website.In my opinion a motor decision has to do more with 1) your ability to get it fixed – ie what your dealer likes to work on(experience) and who they have a good relationship with? Partic do the boys work on 4 strokes historically? Mercury? Heaven forbid even BRP(the one I happily own and have before). Finally is your dealership stable in this economy? Lotsa guys with merc experience/oil/parts if you have to go elsewhere.2) rate the following for you- speed?fuel efficiency? cost of ownership- sched maintenance, oil costs, oil change costs.Make a call and score #2 for you. #1 weighs a lot more than #2. C.O.D. Jr. III
Personally, I would go for the SHO since I already did. The Pro XS guys really seem to be all about the top end. So far there hasnt been much SHO info on that. Flyswatter has managed some phenomenal speeds with his Eyra and a 200 SHO but Im not sure that says more about the motor, the boat, or Flyswatter.Reliability, well, that will take some time. I figure I got 3 years to break it where it wont cost me anything. If it lasts that long then Im probably ok for the next 3, or 4. To me, its all about the maintenance and how you treat your motor. I had a Fiat when I was younger, it only failed one time in the 7 years we owned it. Of course I was out in the garage every couple of weeks making sure it stayed in adjustment.
Ward has it nailed in my opinion. Just be sure its in a BassCat. Basscat, I couldnt be happier guinea pigging around in my Eyra. Im running hot and makin bacon at these ridiculous speeds with the Eyras very fast hull. Last edited by Flyswatter on July 19th, 2010, 12:21 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Ive had two P4s , and both had Mercury Optimax engines. I would have another in a heartbeat. Never an issue with any of my 200 Mercury power plants, and the Pantera IV is one great platform.Ward has experience with “oddball” engines,,,,,so that is really THE issue which would determine which to own.
Ive always been a Merc fan, even when I had other brands of motors growing up I really wanted the black beauty on the back. But, I have to say that this new SHO has really got my attention. It really does appear to be all they said it was. I think I would have to try one of those big block bad boys out on my new rig no matter what I bought.Chris CoupelPaulina, La.Chris CoupelPaulina, La.
Im like Shap, except that Ive always had Mercs. My first one was an 85hp on a Twin Lakes 15 “high performance hull” bassboat. (At least thats the way it was advertised. ) I bet thats a brand of bassboat no one has ever heard of. Ive had a 115, a 150 Black Max, a 200EFI, a 225 Optimax, and two 250 ProXS engines. But if I ever did get another boat…I think Id have to give the SHO a shot. I think it is what its touted to be.
Here is how my motor history works out so its pretty diverse except Ive never owned a Yamaha. But I think in the event I made a new purchase I would change that with the SHO.50 horse merc on a 16 cajun special aluminum9.9 horse mariner on a 14 ft alumacraft flat150 horse mariner mag II++ on a 17 V venture 175 mariner on a 18 V venture70 Johnson on a 17 foot alumacraft bandit120 Johnson on a 16 foot dyna craft115 johnson fastrike on a 16 foot sprint200 2.5 liter merc efi on my basscat3.0 liter merc efi on my basscat9.8 merc on the shelf waiting for a cheap, cheap, cheap flat to show upNow the reason I had so many at a fairly young age is because my Dad was a Boat salesman for a large part of my child hood so in my early Teens I was blessed with running just about anything I wanted. I love my basscat and it is obviously my favorite boat so far, thats why Ive kept it almost 10 years now. But I have some very fond memories in all of those rigs, especially that 16 foot cajun special with the 50 merc. Then I learned how to drive a pad bottom boat with that 17 venture and Mag II mariner. That thing was a handfull but I loved every minute of it. I could care less about fishing back then, but I loved running the snot out of that thing along I-55 and passing up cars. That was the funnest thing as a kid. Long story short I havent had a bad motor out of the bunch and truth be told the toughest one was the 115 Johnson Fastrike. I put that thing through way, way more than any motor should have gone through and it just kept on going. So, I would try the SHO out because it seems to be the real deal and I dont think any manufacturer makes a bad motor today. Just as I dont think any manufacturer makes a BAD car or truck today. If I was looking at a used rig I certainly wouldnt let the motor on the back sway me from a good deal. Let me stop rambling this is getting away from the original question. Im sure you will be happy with whatever motor you go with. They are both great motors and the Mercury Optimax is certainly a proven and tested performer.Chris CoupelPaulia, La.Chris CoupelPaulina, La.
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