That 200 hp is thirsty, so make sure you're getting a good deal - sounds pretty good.
Also, those 200's were a bit prone to getting something in the cylinder sleeves hung up, and boom, blown engine. Check if the engine is factory original or rebuilt to any extent.
If you want to know what to look for specifically in a used 200hp Evinrude, I suggest you call a few dealers / repair shop and just ask this question to some experts.
Best of luck with it.

Well, I compression checked it. Ranged from 120 - 78psi. Had to walk away....too bad. The 120 number seems way high. I think they should be around 90. Thoughts?

power tune it(decarb treatment) and retest. If it comes back up, throw a low ball offer at him, then take the chance, If you need a power head, I got one for cheap

In the event Shane doesn't need it, do you know if your powerhead would replace a 1994 Evinrude Intruder 175? I believe the 150 and 175 were the same block, but would guess the 200 is bigger.

200 is different, bigger motor. Mine needs a lower unit and a fuel pump assembly, kinda ugly too $500

Huh? I've worked on ALOT of these 200/225 loopers, and I've never heard of them being prone to something hanging up in the cylinders. Like any 2 stroke they are prone to carbon build-up which will cause a ring to catch a cylinder port and that takes out the cylinder, but ANY 2 stroke is prone to this. As for what to look for, just ask and I'm sure either myself or Skools can help yeah(I don't have much faith left in dealers anymore knowing which end of a wrench to hang onto anymore).

120-125 is the norm for 93+ 200/225's with finger ports. The 78 is REALLY low though for that engine.

Your engine wouldn't fit his 97 without swapping lower units or at the minumum driveshafts. In 93 when they went to the finger port engines they changed the driveshaft lengths. So if it is a 93+ you have to stick to that gen, and 86-92 is the other.

thanks for the clarification on the year models Ferm, I was wondering which models it would interchange with

ALso keep in mind that 92-93 could be either or in some cases as OMC was just sort of throwing em together in those years with whatever came down the line. Sort of like finger port blocks with non finger port sleeves so you had icle reliefs, no finger ports, and small exhaust ports. Over on screamand fly it is ridiculous some of teh stuff they have found from 92-93 in production engines. IMHO 88-91(88-89 being the supreme ones) was the BEST of the 200/225 engines to be built for most any manufacturer. Not horrible on fuel, idled decent, and were RELIABLE like no other. The 86-87's were best on fuel, but the small bore aggressive ports caused many to burn up if teh airbox bolts came loose or ANY piece of trash went in the carbs. And the 93+ engines are as reliable as any, but the closed deck finger port blocks sufferred from corrosion at teh head gasket surface and the smaler exhaust ports choked em down up top even with the finger ports.

Firm - are you familiar with this mod that marfab is talking about . . .

http://www.mar-fab.com/MarFab_Tech_Bulletins_D9579.pdf

I have a buddy that is rebuilding a 96 225 and wondering if this is worth the effort?

That's an '88 Spare has for sale...falls right into the "supreme" category you mention...That power head will make somebody a good motor...:clap: