New 200 Merc Four Stroke 3.4L

[SnafuFishTeam]

My 23’ Seacraft is heading to the fiberglass shop over the next two weeks. Full restoration that will include an Armstrong bracket and fully enclosed transom. I will be repowering with twin 200s. I am a Yamaha man but cannot wait 48 weeks nor can I justify the price for Yamaha. I was sold on the 200 Zukes until I went to the boat show and saw these Mercs at 475lbs V6. Still getting used to the look but I would save about 120lbs of weigh vs the Zukes which is substantial. Throttle system with the Mercs also seems incredible. My father believes I need a mental evaluation for even considering Mercs after all the problems I had growing up with them on my boats.

Any of you folks run these motors or heard anything positive or negative? Any feedback would be appreciated.

[DonV]

You dead set on twins? Most everyone on the forum who has repowered with a single 300, or a 250 in my case are very happy. I would have jumped all over one of those new 300 Mercs if I had known they were coming out, mainly because the 3.0L 225 Merc I had treated me very, very well!!!

[SnafuFishTeam]

Hey Don, yes 100% set on twins just am hung up on which ones. Am I putting too much thought into saving 120lbs? Have you run the new four strokes yet by chance?

[DonV]

No, I went the "cheap bastard' way!! I could not pass up the almost $4000 savings on the Tohatsu/Honda 250 versus the 300 Zuke! So far at 3.8 to 4.0 mpg I'm quite happy. However that new 300 Merc would have been on my very short list when I bought over a year ago!

[SnafuFishTeam]

LOL!! I completely understand the cost saving perspective and believe me it’s still on my mind but my main concern is dependability & weight in my situation. Most guys I know love their Zukes. I have personally ran them and never had an issue. Really thought they ran similar to my Yamaha.

Another main concerned is about Suzuki certified mechanics and parts. I am fortunate to have a great local guy but if I am traveling with the boat, it could be a problem. I have heard this from a few friends of mine.

Great to hear some positive feedback on Merc.

Thanks again Don. This site has always been a great resource. Very appreciative of people’s feedback. Reading all the posts through out the years I know most think I am crazy for going with twins but it is something I have always wanted to do. And for the record, I have run a single 200 HPDI for about 10 years. LOL!!

[Bigshrimpin]

I can't wait to see how you make out with twin 3.4L 200's. A single 150 has been great on my 23. 31/32mph cruise @4600rpm. Twin 200's might be overkill.

[Bigshrimpin]

From what I hear 3.4L 225's push a 30 conch fully loaded 55mph.

https://www.conchboats.com/2017/12/27/conch-30/

[SnafuFishTeam]

Bigshrimpin, beautiful boat! I was amazed how well my boat performed with a single 200. Thought the previous owner was crazy when he initial told me the numbers.

We’ll see. Still catching hell about repowering with Mercs vs Suzuki. Weight is the same with 150s or 200s. Going 200s. Rather have more than less power.

That Conch is a beautiful boat! Base boat $140k.