Help in Selecting a Merc

[aim4gold]

New to this forum and was hoping all your experience could help me make a good decision. I am finally trading up from my 1987 Bayliner Trophy with 125 force to something new (retirement is coming soon and I want to spend more quality time with my grand kids)

I am purchasing a Tracker Targa 18 ? through there package deals ? Merc is the only engine option which comes standard with a 90 EXLPTO 2 stroke. I want to upgrade to more power. So using suggested retail numbers these are the cost and my questions.

115 XL OptiMax add $3,000
115 4 Stroke add $4,200
150 XL EFI add $3,000 (is this a typical hard to start Merc?)_
150 XL OptiMax add $5,000

Keeping my meager budget in mind
I think for the money will go with 115 OptiMax or 150 EFI
The dealer tells me the 115 OptiMax will push this boat 40 MPH and have decent hole shot. I?m not a speed demon or heavy water skier.

I am a little concerned about the fuel economy and the ease of starting of the 150 EFI. Any comments?

I don?t? fish in any California or EPA regulated lakes and noise is not a concern therefore the 4 stroke advantages are not needed.

Thanks in advance for your advice

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Help in Selecting a Merc

here's my take on this. the boat is rated for 175hp, the rule of thumb, for the least HP, is 60% of rated, which is 105hp. the minimum i would put on it would be the 115hp. with the 150 efi for the same price, you will be able to entertain the grand kids, with a great hole shot for skiing or tubeing. and when crusing never have to run wide open. but you have the power when needed, even though you don't use it. it will also help, when ever resale comes. the 115 will burn +_ 11.5 gals per hour at WOT, the 150 15 gals per hour at WOT, but with the 150, you will have approx same gas usage, because you are running WOT.

 

[aim4gold]

Re: Help in Selecting a Merc

Does the 150 EFI have any of the typical Merc hard starting problems?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Help in Selecting a Merc

i've heard all the hard to start problems with mercs, but when started correctly, they are not hard to start. i know of no problems with the EFI.

 

[aim4gold]

Re: Help in Selecting a Merc

i've heard all the hard to start problems with mercs, but when started correctly, they are not hard to start. i know of no problems with the EFI.

I appreciate the input and advice.

In trying to sell my wife on the new boat I took a jpg of the boat and then took a picture of her holding a nice fish from a year ago plus 2 grandkid pictures, used photoshop and resized ect. I emailed the photo and said ?Honey, you and the g-kids sure look nice in that boat!? ? I know, hit her where it hurts, play the grand kids card

It?s working, looks like in a couple of weeks I?ll be one lucky guy

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Help in Selecting a Merc

I think "hard starting problems" are with the owner, not the engine....assuming equipment in good running order.

Son ought a 10 year boat with a Merc 150 V6 awhile back. Owner said it was hard to start. We took it for a test drive (with him) before purchasing and it was obvious it was hard to start. The guy had no idea what he was doing, what his controls (including fuel enrichment) did, and what the engine required to be able to start.

We never had a problem with it.

Mark

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Help in Selecting a Merc

The hard starting problems were mainly contained to the earlier 90 HP carburetor models. The Opti, EFI and 4 stroke fire immediately with the turn of the key...

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Help in Selecting a Merc

I know the 3 cyl 90 at least dates back to the early '90's. I have a 3 carb '02 90 and it cold starts (after a couple of weeks sitting) well enough to satisfy me, and if fishing, it starts faster than I can get my finger off the key.

Mark