I just filled my tank today and my F115 Yamaha averaged 5.9 mpg (19.2 gal and 113 miles). My skiff (23') is light so I don't need alot of hp. It will still top out at 40-42 mph. To me, its a matter of economics, I get to fish alot more for the same cost as my V20 w/ a 150 HP Merc saltwater series on it. The 113 miles represents two fishing trips this week and I'm going again tomorrow. We also have an outstanding Yamaha dealer in our area with a good parts inventory and an excellent service dept.
One thing I don't think anybody mentioned, when repowering with a new motor, you might have spent double what your boat is worth. If you sell in a couple of years, you might take a bath on the sale. If I lived in the north with a short boating season, I don't know if I'd repower with new. That's a lotta money to be setting under a tarp part of the year. Maybe a good topic might be "How many hours did you boat this year". Is the number more or less than last year?
There's no doubt, Etec, Optis, Verados (supercharged) and four strokes are the way to go, if you're looking for modern technology and economy.

I am a north guy, I have bought my share of used motors, and you are right, it seems like a waste to cover the thing for 7 months of the year!! But I am tired of every year getting broke down right in the middle of the season!!

If it was me,I would be Yamaha, Etec, Suzy, Mercury is no were on my list!!

I've thought of those things as well...~$10k for a new motor and the amount of time I spend out in the water...if I ever sell the boat I would basically take a loss. I want reliability and economy and not have to worry about breaking down or running low on fuel. I went fishing recently and covered about 80 miles. Reading the posts, I'm suppose to have a 60gal tank. At the end of my trip my fuel gauge read about 1/4 tank. My gauge may not be accurate, but that would put me at about 1.7 miles to the gallon. :( 80 miles is not a lot of range based on the location of fishing spots here.

Other things I've thought about are:

o Do I just sell the boat and buy another that has a nice motor?

o I like my V20 CC. I got an aluminum trailer for it, put a T-top on it and made a
custom bait tank.

o If I buy another boat, then who knows about the condition of the motor. With a new
motor I basically know.

o I have some buddies that have a 24' cuddy with a new 250 e-tec. I do go fishing
a lot with them on their boat so they said I don't really need my boat(I would buy
in on their boat).

I don't know....:)

Time to beat feet around town...I gotta think there's a dealer in that size market who'll work w/you...even if you could buy from Ed's, you're still gonna have to take it somewhere for service eventually...they are obligated to work on 'em no matter where you got it, but you'll probably be put in the back of the line if you got it from somebody else...can't really blame 'em...

If the boat you have is in good shape and you like then keep it!!

You never know what you are going to get when you start looking And motors go thru a lot of stuff weather they are 20 years old or 1 year old!!

I have a 84 Sea Ox now, I am in love with it and believe it will be the last boat I will ever own!!
I don't have the cash right now so I have added used power to it, but I hope at some point I will add a brand new motor to it!!

Much better then buying new package, for a V20 all new I bet you looking at $30K at least!!

YAMAHA's are pretty proven, but they have NEVER impressed me with there power. There new 4 strokes are quiet though, everytime I go out with my buddy I keep telling him the engine has stalled. SUZUKI's are a good engine as well, but not the greatest dealer support network. BRP is REALLY pushing the ETEC as the greatest thing, but it is still the same basic technology that the FICHT was back in 98. If your after ULTIMATE milage in the 150-175HP range, then I would suggest the OPTIMAX as the #1 canidate. Tests have proven that the 150 OPTI is pretty much KING of economy on fuel and oil(excluding the ETEC set up for XD100). The YAMAHA 150 4 stroke would be a good match I would think as well as the 150 HONDA.

The MAIN question with buying new is warranty and a GOOD dealer. Remember that these new engines can be REALLY good and reliable, but on a direct injected engine a couple of injectors or an EMM will cost almost as much as the engine is worth. Look around and see how many OPTI's you find needing air pumps and injectors for sale because those parts cost more than they can buy a replcement for. Technology is great, but it is a killer as well. You can roll the dice and find a late model used HPDI YAMAHA, OPTIMAX or FICHT and hope for the best. Me personally if you don't use the boat ALOT, then just get a reliable old 2 stroke. For what you save on gas with a new engine, you will spend on the initial cost.

The V4 JOHNNY-RUDES are pretty D@MN reliable and powerful, as well as not being horrible on gas. The 2.0L and 2.4L MERCS can be had for decent money and are decent on fuel as well as a LARGE availability of interchangeable parts. The old tried and true 150 YAMAHA 2 stroke is tough to beat for reliability and durability, and is one of the better 2 strokes on fuel.

Decide what you want to spend, and go from there. All of the new engines are good, just make sure to get a GOOD warranty if you decide to go new. Your current figure of 1.7 MPG isn't that far off from some of the better numbers here as 2 MPG is regarded pretty good economy for a V-20 with a 2 stroke. You may even be able to improve your current set-up to 2 MPG by getting a better designed prop. You would be SHOCKED to see how much extra fuel one nick on your prop will make you use.

ON EDIT: I see you currently have a 150 MERC, so you should have a 2.0L. That is actually a pretty fuel miserly old school 2 stroke. A little time with boat set-up and propping may make a BIG difference in your economy and performance. I have a 150 MERC on a bass boat and it only used 4 GPH at cruise, even on a V-20 I would expect it to stay around 10 or so fopr fuel burn at cruise.

i bought my wife an acura, yes, i am a hipocrite. :( , but i have an american truck and outboard, that should make up for it a little bit.

Ford, Chevrolet, Yamaha F115. Two outa three. Let's face it, with NAFTA, free trade and all that other junk, who knows where the parts and pieces come from.

My older JEEPS were all CANADIAN parts, even assembled there. My newer ones were all pretty much MEXICO though, and I believe my DAKOTA was built there as well. My SUBURBAN was a MICHIGAN build though.

Anyone have an opinion about the Suzuki 175? Overkill for a V20 CC? It's ~60lbs heavier than the DF 140 and I don't know how much more fuel it would use. There's a '07 Suzuki DF 175 local that can probably be bought for $8k with props and controls. I don't think they are a suzuki dealer and that's why they mentioned 3yr warranty. Regarding the current 6yr warrant being offered, they said it can be 6yrs depending on condition. I assuming that would be if a suzuki dealership would install it.