Mercury Verado 150hp on 25

B

breausaw

New member
I’ve come to the conclusion the Mercury Verado 150 isn’t a good fit for a 25ft C-dory, this is why.

Honda, Gear Ratio 2.14: 1, for RPM 5000-6000
Suzuki, Gear Ratio 2.50: 1, for RPM 5000-6000
Yamaha, Gear Ratio 2.00: 1, for RPM 5000-6000
Mercury, Gear Ratio 2.08: 1, for RPM 5800-6400

Notice that the Mercury with a gear ratio not much different than the other 3 has to achieve a max RPM of 5800-6400. Put this same motor on a bass boat and there is no problem. Now I’m not saying the Mercury isn’t a good motor, it’s just engineered for a lighter boat than a 25ft C-dory. Also, all the other motors are 6 cylinders and can achieve max torque at lower RPM, whereas the Mercury has to turn more RPM to achieve the same.
I’m waiting on a 14.5in 14 pitch 4 blade stainless prop from Solas , they don’t stock it but make to order, you pay the cost. If I get 5700 with this prop I’ll be happy, this prop is at the bottom of the pitch curve. I’m sticking with 4 blade, performance and economy stand out over 3 blades I’ve tried.
If I re-powered or powered a new 25 C-dory with a 4 stroke, I would have to choose Yamaha based on it's gear Ratio. I didn’t include 2 strokes because it’s like comparing apples to oranges with respect to RPM and Gear Ratios.
If another C brat is running a 150hp Merc Verado I’d love to know what prop they are running and how they feel about this motor.
Generally I’m pleased with the Verado but don’t think I will ever maximize its performance; the 25ft C-dory is just too heavy.

. In the long run the motor will suffer; cylinder walls and bushing will ultimately wear at an accelerated rate regardless of how hard the boat is run.
 
My 2009 Yamaha 150 HP four stroke is an inline four cylinder. Given the hull you are putting the motor on I wonder how much 5000 to 6000 rpm running you will be really doing. Chack Chack a C-Brat did the Great Loop with a 25 with a 200hp Suzuki and it posted some fantastic numbers.
D.D.
 
You must also look at the size of these engines
honda 2.4 litre honda accord engine
Suzuki 2.9 litre marine engine
Yamaha 2.7 litre marine engine very similar to 1.7 f-115
merc verado 1.7 litre with supercharger more set up for bass boats or go fast boat

another option is the new merc 3.0 litre single overhead cam 150 hp .this is the merc you want on a c-dory,cape cruiser, rossborough etc.
 
Oops, I guess all the above mentioned outboards are 4 cylinders, I must have been thinking of the 200hp comparison where Mercury is the only 4 cylinder.
I looked into having a new boat built with a 200hp motor, but at around 110K outfitted my way 65k for a 5-6 year old boat with 200hrs was hard to beat.
 
The merc verado 200 hp comes in 2 flavours one four cylinder and one six cylinder both superchrged engines . I still think the Suzuki 150-175 family (2.9) or the new 150 merc non supercharged( 3litre) would be hard to beat .
 
There is a lot of information on the internet on Verado engines. You should find that the torque on these Verados are tremendous at lower RPMs than the other engines you mentioned.

I would personally use a 17" pitch, 3-blade prop instead of the 4-blade to take advantage of the torque of the Verado. This will easily get you in the 5800-6200rpm WOT range. Do not choose a prop pitch that cannot get you above the 5800 WOT rpm. To say your 25 foot cruiser is too heavy for the Verado does not make sense.

Check out Veradoclub.com and you will get a wealth of information. My only concern is that there are few Verado technicians in my area. It is an engine that is ahead of the market but mechanics are just not informed. The fuel mileage of the Verado 150hp outperforms the engines on your list.

PS Don't you just love the electronic shift?

George
 
breausaw":3p2pk3ke said:
I’ve come to the conclusion the Mercury Verado 150 isn’t a good fit for a 25ft C-dory, this is why.

Honda, Gear Ratio 2.14: 1, for RPM 5000-6000
Suzuki, Gear Ratio 2.50: 1, for RPM 5000-6000
Yamaha, Gear Ratio 2.00: 1, for RPM 5000-6000
Mercury, Gear Ratio 2.08: 1, for RPM 5800-6400

Notice that the Mercury with a gear ratio not much different than the other 3 has to achieve a max RPM of 5800-6400. Put this same motor on a bass boat and there is no problem. Now I’m not saying the Mercury isn’t a good motor, it’s just engineered for a lighter boat than a 25ft C-dory. Also, all the other motors are 6 cylinders and can achieve max torque at lower RPM, whereas the Mercury has to turn more RPM to achieve the same.
I’m waiting on a 14.5in 14 pitch 4 blade stainless prop from Solas , they don’t stock it but make to order, you pay the cost. If I get 5700 with this prop I’ll be happy, this prop is at the bottom of the pitch curve. I’m sticking with 4 blade, performance and economy stand out over 3 blades I’ve tried.
If I re-powered or powered a new 25 C-dory with a 4 stroke, I would have to choose Yamaha based on it's gear Ratio. I didn’t include 2 strokes because it’s like comparing apples to oranges with respect to RPM and Gear Ratios.
If another C brat is running a 150hp Merc Verado I’d love to know what prop they are running and how they feel about this motor.
Generally I’m pleased with the Verado but don’t think I will ever maximize its performance; the 25ft C-dory is just too heavy.

. In the long run the motor will suffer; cylinder walls and bushing will ultimately wear at an accelerated rate regardless of how hard the boat is run.
Click to expand...



I just recently went through a similar dilemma. The 130 Honda was WAY under powered for the 25, after looking at all the options I settled on the Suzuki 175 + 45hp @ 30lbs less weight.
I now have a whole different boat. Plenty of speed when desired, lots of low end and similar economy. I can reach 6000 rpm @ 29 kts with a 19 pitch prop. All is Good!!!
:thup :thup :lol:
 
I don't feel my boat is underpowered at all with the mercury 150. Fully loaded I can still hit 34 miles an hour, I just need to get the right prop. At 34 miles an hour I'm only at 5500 RPM. The fly by wire controls and smart gauges are awesome. I still think the motor would be better suited on a bass boat.
 
breausaw":1a2f1fhf said:
I’m sticking with 4 blade, performance and economy stand out over 3 blades I’ve tried.
Click to expand...

I've spent 40+ years in power transmission and drive systems since graduating from college in marine engineering. I deliberately stay out of drive discussions because almost everything is a compromise when it comes to propulsion. There are very few absolutes.

I hope bureausaw will forgive me quoting him to make a point. There is absolutely nothing personal intended. It should be remembered that a one blade prop is more efficient than two, a two more than three and certainly a three more than four. Now a four blade prop will generally be smoother than a three but any efficiency gain is not coming only from the extra blade. More likely the blade thickness, cupping, profile etc. will be the deciding factors. While we're at it, a single is more efficient than twins (and I run twin 60's).

Now have at me. :lol:
 
Finally found the prop, Enertia 14 Pitch (15-1/4x14) RH X7 SS 3 BL Mercury Propeller. Took the boat out today day in 1 foot chop, a little bumpy at WAT trimmed up but hit 6150 RPM. Against the tide about 30mph, with the tide 38 mph; so 34 mph.

Picked up the recommendation and prop from www.Propgods.com

I don’t normally take the boat out on Cook Inlet from Anchorage; 30 foot tides make for interesting conditions.

Ok, could not find a 4 blade that would work, tried 14, 15 and 17 pitch.

Regardless of what RPM you run at, if you are over propped you’re lugging your engine at what every RPM you run at. Excessive gas builds up in the combustion chamber (you make oil) and your oil fails to do its job, other stresses on the engine occur; premature engine failure looms on the horizon.
 
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