1981 merc 200 performance

[bigshrimpin]

1981 V200 will be a vertical reed non fingerported 2.4L

It's a decent engine . . . performance is similar to the mid 80's 175. The mid 80's vertical reed 2.4L fingerport 175 will turn about 200 - 300rpm faster than the non fingerported v200. I ran both setups on the same boat and that was my experience.
You can gain power from swapping the front 1/2 to a horizontal 2.4L reed, but you'll lose some of the kickass fuel economy. I run a 1987 2.4L vertical reed 175 powerhead (on top of a 2001 200 midsection) pushing my 23 seacraft (which is a much heavier hull). Get the boat setup right (engine height . . . cavitation plate about 1.5" above the bottom of the boat . . . then play with different props). Setup right . . . you should see some improvement in fuel economy and speed from where you are now.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg7cdw1vE