Ultimate outboards for V21

[bgreene]

Estimates based on research:

Merc Opti 200 hp ....
Best features - likely best fuel economy, range 200 miles +, over 50 mph WOT.
Drawback - well over 500 lbs, maybe heavy for V

Evinrude 200 hp
Best features - likely very good fuel economy, range 200 +, high 40's WOT,
Weight is reasonable 415 lbs.
Drawback - not quite as powerful.

Evinrude 200 HO
Similar to Opti, maybe not quite as fuel efficient at cruising speeds.

[spareparts]

you missed the best, merc 175 Opti, much lighter than the 200 Opti or any of the others you mentioned, better on fuel, makes a lot more than 175 hp. Second consideration, Yamaha 150 4 stroke, a little heavy, but one of the best motors on the market, and then Ridges first choice, merc 300XS, why? because why not(I agree)

[bgreene]

Opti 175 ......nice option

Yami 150 4 stroke............too heavy, not any faster than my 150 Evinrude

Merc 300 ........way over hp rating, tough to insure.
Probably push the V to 60 mph +

The fastest V would be a worked inboard - like the one guy who showed one about 6 months ago. Claimed 75 mph or such......fast.

[cterrebonne]

I think a 200 HPDI would be a really good choice. 475lbs and I would think should run upper 40's

As for the big block E-tec I think it would weigh too much. My V-20 had a 225 Ficht and it was too much weight on a bracket for my liking.

[THEFERMANATOR]

i'm with SPare here, a 175 OPTI is a good match or eben a 150 OPTI. And the 150 YAMAHA 4 stroke is a powerful 150 with many dynoing closer to 175(hence why YAMAHA doesn't make an engine between the 150 and 200 4 strokes). 175 or 200 small block ETEC, and the 175 SUZUKI would both also be good choices. But for the ultimate match I would say the 175 OPTI or 200 small block ETEC.

[bgreene]

Originally Posted by THEFERMANATOR

i'm with SPare here, a 175 OPTI is a good match or eben a 150 OPTI. And the 150 YAMAHA 4 stroke is a powerful 150 with many dynoing closer to 175(hence why YAMAHA doesn't make an engine between the 150 and 200 4 strokes). 175 or 200 small block ETEC, and the 175 SUZUKI would both also be good choices. But for the ultimate match I would say the 175 OPTI or 200 small block ETEC.

175 hp Optimax.......... weight 431 lbs......or approx 56 lbs more than 150 Rude carb'd.
Advantages
Likely much better fuel economy.....weight a fair compromise........WOT on V21........likely 44-47 mph.

200 etec...................weight 425 lbs.........50 lbs more than 150 Rude carb'd.
Very good fuel economy, WOT on the V21 likely the same as the Opti, maybe slightly more.

Lots of sevice options for either...and likely the " best all around outboard choices for V's"

[Pipe_Dream]

Originally Posted by cterrebonne

I think a 200 HPDI would be a really good choice.

Darn tootin.

Originally Posted by barnegatV20

how often can you run WOT anyway?

Exactly. Although I will admit that mine does not top out as fast as it did new, but then that was 8 years ago. It's still faster than I need to go.

[Blue_Runner]

Originally Posted by barnegatV20

44 with my '12 yam 150 4 stroke

we're hoping for 47-48 when i correct the mounting height and dial in with the correct prop. excellent fuel economy/ doesn't reall seem much heavier than my '87 2 stroke. sits a tad lower at the dock, but no big deal

how often can you run WOT anyway?

Hardly ever. Uses too much fuel!