let my old friend down today

[booch]

Sorry for ur loss. But why four stroke? Mine an 86 was a Merc 150 600 hours. Now 175 E-tec so far a great fit for me, I just can't give up 2 stroke.

[phatdaddy]

thanks booch

mainly the dealer support for the merc is the best in my area. have a friend who repowered with the merc 4s on a 20 dusky (hull very similar to v20) and loves it. claims to get 4-4.5 mpg. while i got 2.5. i average 85 hours a year @ 12 gph =1020 gallons a year. if i could cut that in half, save 500 gallons @ $4.00, that's 2 grand a year saved on fuel.

also, i like to diy all i can on my stuff and the merc is the simplest system out there.

[bradford]

Sorry to hear Phat.

[RidgeRunner]

I feel for your loss. I have similar Merc pains this morning.. I got home but it was rough running for the last few feet and on the trailer... I had just made a 15 minute long blast at redline. Up the river to the East Pass and back to the West pass. Only a few mullet and a couple houseboats. Sunrise on the Suwannee 58 MPH for miles and miles, it did my soul some good. Took it off plane to put it on the trailer and rattle rattle.. No energy to look further at this time. Best case, the lower is gone because it has a really smooh idle. Worst case? Do I really want to know?

Sorry for your loss. That does sound like a good one. I like the 4-stroke Mercs. They are getting better.

[phatdaddy]

priced one locally @ $11,760.00 out the door w/ smart gauge, control box, cables, prop, & J-box kit.
internet "super stores" had cheaper engine prices, but when you add the goodies, got it within $400 of local guy.

decisions, decisions

[bradford]

Go with the local guy, $400 aint nuthin when it comes to having a local contact that knows you've spent serious dough with him.

[smokeonthewater]

Yep, and then have the local guy price match the internet price....