Mariner 125

[NigelSA]

I am about to buy my first boat which has a mariner 125hp motor.I have been told now not to take that motor but instead to get a 115 johnson the reason I am told is that when the motor goes onto 4 cylinders there is a surge which is unpleasant and also hard for first time skiers to combat and also that it is has a flatspot etc below 1800 rpm I am looking for some advice before I buy based on personal experience <br /><br />Thanks <br />Nigel(about to become 1st time boat owner)

 

[graddy]

Re: Mariner 125

The system is called 2+2. The bottom two carbs are only supplying enough gas and oil to lubercate the cylinder walls at idle and slightly off idle. From 1800 rpms to 2300 rpms the 2 bottom carbs kick in. There is some adjustment. You can feel the boat surg forward when the bottom carbs kick in. If the boat is a small light boat the surg will be greater. On a heavy boat it would not be a issue. If your trying to pull a skier out of the water and the boat is light it could cause a problem. If the skier is young kid compared to a heavy adult. Trying a different prop could solve the issue, But max rpm is 5250. The engines run great.<br /><br />So what kind of boat is this engine on?

 

[NigelSA]

Re: Mariner 125

It is a viking carrera it is 17 foot they are made here in south africa I dont think it is a very heavy boat

 

[graddy]

Re: Mariner 125

Any chance to lake test the boat befor you but it?

 

[NigelSA]

Re: Mariner 125

Not that one as its brand new on the showroom floor but good idea on the test as they are popular boats here so maaybe with some searching I can find one to demo. I went to another boat shop today they are a yamaha dealer they do the same boat with the yamaha 115 V4 it has digital dash etc and they really push that motor (as you would expect with them being the dealer)and say that the boat is very suited to that motor and that the performance would be the same even though its 10 hp less?They also say same as you that the mariner could cause problems with the kids trying to ski as the surge would pull them off ballance ....and I thought guns and bikes were complicated

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Mariner 125

I'd get the Johnson or Yammy if it were me. You probably won't miss the 10 HP. Check out a test drive on a model that has a 115 on it.