OK, new question....

[Destroyer]

(Talk about building a boat by committee)...So, here's the new situation.. I have 3 boats.. one of them HAS to go... I decided that boat will be my 1973 21' Cruisers, Inc. It will be scrapped unless someone wants it (free to a good home..nothing wrong with it..send me a PM) It has a perfect running 200hp, 1991 Mercury outboard on it. I was thinking about putting that engine on my new V21, however, after reflecting on the need for speed as opposed to the need for economy, I decided to buy that 150 Johnson Oceanrunner that I spoke of in other posts.. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Johnson-Ocea...item5d30fb5496 So that one will go back onto the V21 that it came off from that you see in the pics which is now mine. Now, I also have my 78 V20 with the 1991, 225 Johnson. Both the Johnson and the Mercury are 20" shafts. Both are strong runners. The Johnson is a looper. Which engine do I put onto the V20 and do I sell or store the remaining engine? Opinions and reasons for your opinion are welcomed.

[phatdaddy]

it has taken me years to learn this, but if your not using it, sell it.

[THEFERMANATOR]

If you are after economy, avoid the 150 OCEANRUNNER. They are great engines for reiability, but they do drink ALOT of fuel for there size. I would look for a 200/225 OMC or MERCURY for an old school 2 stroke that isn't that bad on fuel. Or better yet a 2.4L MERCURY.

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by THEFERMANATOR

If you are after economy, avoid the 150 OCEANRUNNER. They are great engines for reiability, but they do drink ALOT of fuel for there size. I would look for a 200/225 OMC or MERCURY for an old school 2 stroke that isn't that bad on fuel. Or better yet a 2.4L MERCURY.

Hmmm....well, My Merc is a 2.5L, 200hp, 1991, 60* engine...but it's a short (20") shaft so it would need to be stretched to 25". My Johnson is a 1991, 225hp, (3 screw butterfly) Looper, 90* engine. And like the Merc, it's a 20" shaft and would need to be stretched. So my question is, which engine would you use, and why?

[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.

[reelapeelin]

Stretch the Merc IMO...it ain't gonna use any more gas than the 150 yer thinkin' about buyin'...unless ya run around WOT w/it all the time...but that DOES sound fun!!...