[willy]

RB I had a 96 150 black max carb merc. Potent engine, very strong when it ran, but like I posted before, even though it had very low hours when I got it. Less than a hundred it constantly had one issue after another and most related to electronics. Changed power boxes, changed coils and two items under the fly wheel, stator etc. and it would run good for awhile and then another problem would pop up.
I think they are tough to beat when running good but I have had two and both had similar type problems, they remind me of the older (60's) Ford engines. Run great but your mechanical and diagnostic skills better be good or they will nickle and dime you to death.
That being said my best friend has had three on his Grady, all three were 200 hp carbed engines and the first two gave him similar problems but this third one he has, has been a real good engine with no problems for two seasons. Can't explain it I'm not a mechanic, just know that other friends with Suzuki's, Yamaha's and even the Johnson Evinrudes (non ficht) have had years of basically trouble free boating with them.
I am of course speaking of my own experience around boats, there are others who have had real good reliabilty with them and would expect them to have diffrent perspective.