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Author Topic:   Which Merc. 200 EFI?

gw204 posted 02-07-2003 03:13 PM ET (US)
If you all recall, I recently passed on a 135 Opti as I had a fear of being underpowered.
Now, I've run across the following two engines:
1. New in-the-box 1998 Merc. 200 EFI, saltwater model, 25" shaft (which I need), binnacle control, key switch w/ warning horn and wiring harness, control cables, oil tank, aluminum prop, rigged on my boat for $8880.
2. New in-the-box 2002 Merc. 200 EFI, non-saltwater model, 20" shaft w/ 5" extension and all accessories, rigged on my boat for the same price.
Are there any "real" differences in the saltwater vs. regular models? I suspect not since it would probably cost Merc. more in the long run. Merc's website lists the use of stainless steel in the steering arm, swivel pin, tilt tube and yoke on the saltwater model, but not on the regular. They also list ECM controlls on the saltwater and PCM on the regular. Is there a difference or is this just a typo.
Which you you guys buy for use strictly in a saltwater environment?
I guess the main question here is are there any real differences in the "Saltwater model" other than the availability of a 25" shaft without using an extension?
Thanks again for all of your help guys.

gw204 posted 02-07-2003 03:22 PM ET (US)
Of course all this depends if I can stretch the budget that high. If not, looks like a carb. 150.
newt posted 02-07-2003 04:43 PM ET (US)
gw204,
I asked the same questions this past summer when looking at 2002 & 2003 90 hp Mercs.
I ended up comparing the parts (yes it was time consuming) of each on Mercury's website.
http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/001025.html
lhg posted 02-07-2003 07:16 PM ET (US)
Forget the extended non-saltwater model. I don't where these are coming from, certainly not the factory. Dealers must be extending them because so many boats need 25" shafts.
The price on the 1998 is a bit steep, it seems. But the engine is basically the same as a 2003 model except for 40 amp alt instead of the new 60 amp. For about $10,500 you can get a brand new one.
I have a pair of the 1997 models, which look exactly like the 1998's, and they are superb engines. Very quiet running. You will like it. Warranty included?
homey posted 02-07-2003 11:14 PM ET (US)
gw204, I had a 1998 merc 200 efi and it was very loud. A friend of mine believes the efi's are louder than the carb models. I never had a problem mechanically...
gf posted 02-07-2003 11:21 PM ET (US)

I still think you should go with the Optimax 135.
Be forewarned that the Mercury EFI engines get worse fuel economy than the carbureted models. They do start up nice and quick though.
Keep looking for a leftover '01 or a true 25" '02.

captbone posted 02-08-2003 01:40 AM ET (US)
On one of the tow vsls I used to run, I had a 200hp carb Merc 1997 or 1998. I can sadly say that I did participate in outboard abuse more than just a few times. [The author uses a vulgar phrase to imply that his use of the motor was, like his metaphor, crude and rough.] It was cover under warrenty and we wanted a new powerhead, so we BEAT that motor. It just laughed at us. I am a Yama and omc fan but I must say that merc was amazing.
captbone posted 02-08-2003 01:41 AM ET (US)
P.S. still runs great!
lhg posted 02-08-2003 02:58 PM ET (US)
From 13 years of experience with twin Merc 200's, I must say that I think homey's and gf's remarks are incorrect, from my perspective.
For the first eight years, I ran carburated 200's. For the last 5, 200 EFI's. The boat, with both sets of engines, is pictured on this site.
The EFI's are MUCH quieter, and they get BETTER fuel economy, about 2 MPG on my 25 Outrage. Throttle response is incredible.
Nobody else's 200's are as quiet at speed, including the Mercury Optimax and Yamaha 4-strokes.
jimh posted 02-08-2003 03:27 PM ET (US)
What does "vsls" mean?
No fair going back and deducing the meaning from the context.
rsess1 posted 02-08-2003 03:30 PM ET (US)
I have a 175 Merc efi, 1994 on a skiray skiboat. It's unbelievably silent compared to my 115 Yamaha on the Nauset.
captbone posted 02-08-2003 05:02 PM ET (US)
vsl= vessel

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Author	Topic: Which Merc. 200 EFI?
gw204	posted 02-07-2003 03:13 PM ET (US) If you all recall, I recently passed on a 135 Opti as I had a fear of being underpowered. Now, I've run across the following two engines: 1. New in-the-box 1998 Merc. 200 EFI, saltwater model, 25" shaft (which I need), binnacle control, key switch w/ warning horn and wiring harness, control cables, oil tank, aluminum prop, rigged on my boat for $8880. 2. New in-the-box 2002 Merc. 200 EFI, non-saltwater model, 20" shaft w/ 5" extension and all accessories, rigged on my boat for the same price. Are there any "real" differences in the saltwater vs. regular models? I suspect not since it would probably cost Merc. more in the long run. Merc's website lists the use of stainless steel in the steering arm, swivel pin, tilt tube and yoke on the saltwater model, but not on the regular. They also list ECM controlls on the saltwater and PCM on the regular. Is there a difference or is this just a typo. Which you you guys buy for use strictly in a saltwater environment? I guess the main question here is are there any real differences in the "Saltwater model" other than the availability of a 25" shaft without using an extension? Thanks again for all of your help guys.
gw204	posted 02-07-2003 03:22 PM ET (US) Of course all this depends if I can stretch the budget that high. If not, looks like a carb. 150.
newt	posted 02-07-2003 04:43 PM ET (US) gw204, I asked the same questions this past summer when looking at 2002 & 2003 90 hp Mercs. I ended up comparing the parts (yes it was time consuming) of each on Mercury's website. http://continuouswave.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/001025.html
lhg	posted 02-07-2003 07:16 PM ET (US) Forget the extended non-saltwater model. I don't where these are coming from, certainly not the factory. Dealers must be extending them because so many boats need 25" shafts. The price on the 1998 is a bit steep, it seems. But the engine is basically the same as a 2003 model except for 40 amp alt instead of the new 60 amp. For about $10,500 you can get a brand new one. I have a pair of the 1997 models, which look exactly like the 1998's, and they are superb engines. Very quiet running. You will like it. Warranty included?
homey	posted 02-07-2003 11:14 PM ET (US) gw204, I had a 1998 merc 200 efi and it was very loud. A friend of mine believes the efi's are louder than the carb models. I never had a problem mechanically...
gf	posted 02-07-2003 11:21 PM ET (US) I still think you should go with the Optimax 135. Be forewarned that the Mercury EFI engines get *worse* fuel economy than the carbureted models. They do start up nice and quick though. Keep looking for a leftover '01 or a true 25" '02.
captbone	posted 02-08-2003 01:40 AM ET (US) On one of the tow vsls I used to run, I had a 200hp carb Merc 1997 or 1998. I can sadly say that I did participate in outboard abuse more than just a few times. [The author uses a vulgar phrase to imply that his use of the motor was, like his metaphor, crude and rough.] It was cover under warrenty and we wanted a new powerhead, so we BEAT that motor. It just laughed at us. I am a Yama and omc fan but I must say that merc was amazing.
captbone	posted 02-08-2003 01:41 AM ET (US) P.S. still runs great!
lhg	posted 02-08-2003 02:58 PM ET (US) From 13 years of experience with twin Merc 200's, I must say that I think homey's and gf's remarks are incorrect, from my perspective. For the first eight years, I ran carburated 200's. For the last 5, 200 EFI's. The boat, with both sets of engines, is pictured on this site. The EFI's are MUCH quieter, and they get BETTER fuel economy, about 2 MPG on my 25 Outrage. Throttle response is incredible. Nobody else's 200's are as quiet at speed, including the Mercury Optimax and Yamaha 4-strokes.
jimh	posted 02-08-2003 03:27 PM ET (US) What does "vsls" mean? No fair going back and deducing the meaning from the context.
rsess1	posted 02-08-2003 03:30 PM ET (US) I have a 175 Merc efi, 1994 on a skiray skiboat. It's unbelievably silent compared to my 115 Yamaha on the Nauset.
captbone	posted 02-08-2003 05:02 PM ET (US) vsl= vessel