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gcopple2000.
i am in the process of buying a new motor for my basscat pantera classic. the power head is toast on my 2000 merc 200hp so instead of just getting a new one i was going to buy a whole new motor. i am looking at the mercury optimax but was curious if you guys knew what the performance difference would be in a 200 and 175. i can get a great deal on a 175 but no such luck on the 200. is it worth saving 3-4 gs and get a little smaller motor? i figure a brand new 175 opti is going to be an upgrade over a 2000, 200hp carberated that i am used to. let me know what you guys think. i am thinking almost the same performance and better gas mileage. george
Any money you can save on a repowed and remain happy with your rig will leave a better taste later as there is little resale benefit. You do what pleases you, and the difference on performance will be substantial.
which way will i have a substantial boost in performance? with the old school 200 or the brand new 175 opti?
175 opti is still going to be less than a 200 carb. 175 would be more fuel efficient at lower/mid RPMs, smoother starting and idling but that is about all you would gain everything else slants toward the 200 carb. Now a 200 Opti would really liven the boat up. It is a bigger block and has a ton more low end torque than your 200 carb. Only you can decide if it is worth it because as BCB mentioned you never get your cash back on a repower. You might even be better off to buy a used 200, but that is a gamble. Good luck and I feel sorry for your troubles…that is a crappy place to be. Judd Lasiter
Sir definitely shop around and price out 200hp outboards, I would shop all brands of motors, everyone makes a great motor, doesnt matter if its Yamaha, Evinrude, or Mercury, right now the big 3 brands are all going after the fastest and most efficient brand out, it depends on who you talk to and what brand they are loyal too. Obviously if you go to Yammie or Etec you will have new controls and such, but you might want to look at controls anyways. If I were you call mercury with your serial and model #, on some of those 200s back then their was an issue with a soft crank shaft, a buddy of mine just got a complete new dressed powerhead for 100% free, plus install, if you have any questions on that please email or call me, I will help as much as possible…….work-920-787-5873 cell-920-295-2069 [url=mailto:email-worner_brannon@yahoo.com]email-worner_brannon@yahoo.com[/url] Hope this helps you, BrannonYour Signature …
A new motor on an older boat in my opinion is not a good investment. The pay back is not good. A good rebuild makes more sense to me. Just get a good mechanic, unless it is not rebuild-able. MHO Skipjack
The only way I would consider a new motor is — if I am the original owner of the Classic (2000 year model)and the engine just cant be rebuilt adequately. That means I have had the boat 8 years. Some people will decide to update motor, still planning on keeping the boat. This is a BassCat which will probably last for many more years and if you dont mind no resale value increase because of the total age of the outfit. People will go by the age of the boat as the deciding factor on price, so a new 2008 engine is devalued by at least 50-60% as soon as it is hanging on the transom. Thats the only way I would look at it, IMHO BUT, I did entertain the notion of a 175 Pro XS on my 96 EYRA….until speaking with BCB. No advantage to be gained on my 175 Magnum EFI at this point.Last edited by jignpig on May 15th, 2008, 6:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.96 Eyra/12 Mercury 175 Pro XS with 2015 single axle trailer2017 Victory Gunner
My situation was just the reverse. Put a new 2006 175 opti on an older boat, (type N) and toasted the boat. Wound up with a used Classic. 2005. I am total satisfied. No I cant keep up with the 200 optis, I can keep up with the 200efis on brands R and T. Mercury told me the 175 should be equal to the 200 efi. Thats Mercury, not me. The 175 has the same bore and stroke as the 150. The difference is in the power pack. I can tell you that at the end of the day you will be happy at the pump and with the oil refill. With the extra 4 or 5 mph you get with the 200 and additional fuel consumption its not worth the price. I did consider upgrading to a 200 briefly. I also paid for a 6 year warranty. Martin
The main thing in my situation is that it wasnt broke. The Mariner Magnum 175 runs fine. It is a used motor that came on the boat when I bought it. I was entertaining the possibility of moving to 175 Pro XS because I do keep my boats on average for 7-10 yrs. A stock 175 Opti would be like a 2.5 liter 200 efi. I dont think it would handle the 3.0 block 200 just from what I have read here, but I may be wrong. The 175 Pro XS has around 190 ponies (correct?). This is the first used motor I have ever owned, all other 6 Merc/Mariner engines on my other bass boats have been new. So I have had to gain confidence in “used”, even though I had this same size Magnum on my 89 Sabre. I know what it is capable of………..just things get worn. I need a new power trim motor for example. Will have to be aftermarket as they dont have OEM part, unless I go remanufactured. Just the price we pay for our toys.96 Eyra/12 Mercury 175 Pro XS with 2015 single axle trailer2017 Victory Gunner
my motor is beyond repair, it cannot be rebuilt. i have shopped around for different brands but i cant find anything yet that can even come close to the price of merc, not here in so cal at least. i am just curious because of how gas is now, i am a fisherman on a budget and less at the pump is better, especially for all of the tournaments that i fish. i want a 200 just because it is a 200, but i wouldnt be disapointed in a 175 at all. actually i really dont care which i get, but if there is a big enough difference in performance than i am going to get a 200. and as for resale value and that stuff, im not really worried about it. my cat is staying in the family. when i can get a new cat i am going to “hand me down” this one to a nephew or little cousin. shoot, my dad is begging me to get a new boat so he can have this one. it is my first “big boat” i have owned and would like to keep it in the family. thanks for the help so far guys.
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