[THEFERMANATOR]

The 225 JOHNSON would probably be the best of the 3 on fuel for most all intensive purposes. I had a 2.5L 150 MERC before and that sucker drank as much fuel at an easy cruise on my flats boat as my 225 EVINRUDE did on the 20 foot HYDRA-SPORTS cruisng the same speed. The 150 OCEANRUNNER is a great engine, but will have a thirst almost equal to the 2.5L MERC. The older 2.4L MERC's seemed to be a bit better on fuel as well as the 2.0L MERC's. For all around useage I would go with a small V-6 YAMAHA in all honesty. They are a good reliable engine that isn't that bad on fuel, but parts are pricey and hard to find sometimes. I'm a big fan of the 200/225 OMC loopers, espescially the 88-91 generation. The earlier small bore engines were actually better on fuel and pulled harder up top, but had quite a few problems with reliability due to the aggressive porting. Later ones are good as well, but tend to be a bit thirstier than the earlier models because of the small exhaust ports.