New Mercury 200 XS Consumer Outboard

[Bobalouie]

The only obstacle is the 200 ros is built in Mercury racing and 175 proxs mids are in wherever their normal production facility is. That stock transfer is what the problem is. Companies hate transferring parts from one facility to another

Merc doesnt care about that. I am pretty sure the Torquemaster lower unit was cast in Stillwater, OK at the old Mercruiser facility. All the wiring harnesses for all the engines are Hecho in Mexico at the plant down there. There were all kinds of parts cast in Mercruiser Die Casting for the Outboard stuff that got transfered to Fon Du Lac.

 

[Allyfishing]

Really great reading in this post!! A few years ago at the rally Darris spoke about this very thing that's being talked about here. He said he tried to get Mercury to listen and they did not even want to talk to him. He told us he tried to explain to them that there was still a market for lighter weight powerful motors that there was still a market for the lighter boats available new but they disagreed with him. The old regime was gone that he carried a lot of clout with and the new blood had no interest in even speaking to him.

Ben Biller tried to get this very same thing going that you are trying DAve but with no success. No one was interested....i hope you succeed!!

 

[Dave Hensley]

Mercury is listening......I just think they have a different answer in mind. Kevin Skiba from Merc is saying they are working on a package that would meet the criteria. That could be anything. Not saying that is good or bad. But it might be very different.
When Darris and I were discussing it we thought that a 225 ProMax type motor using DI technology would be the ultimate answer. Darris also said he asked for them to just make the 225 Pro Max again.....then he said" but that would be just like someone asking me to build the old 13' race boat.....it isn't happening as I have moved on." that also makes perfect sense and puts reality into the discussion as to what is being asked for and what Mercury believes is the answer.

 

[Allyfishing]

Yup, I believe the 225 Promax would be the perfect motor brought back like an Opti!!

 

[scj]

I want a 280x or give me a 250 hp Mercury 4 stroke based off the 450 pound 3 liter 4T engine they use now.

 

[Dave Hensley]

The 100 hr rebuild on the 280 might be exaggerated. I have seen them with 250 hours that still have life left in the rings. RPMs and quality of fuel and oil is critical.

 

[Allyfishing]

Dave, I really wanted a 280 for my Pro when I replaced the 225 Promax but that was the only thing that stopped me from doing it. I am so pleased to get in my boat now and turn the key and away I go without worrying about anything other than changing the gearcase oil every ten hours.

 

[rmills280]

gearcase every 10 hrs. dang i'd spend more time and money doing that than riding

 

[GotMyAlly]

gearcase every 10 hrs. dang i'd spend more time and money doing that than riding

+1
I do that once or twice a season.

You've gotta be going through more gear oil than 2-stroke oil........

 

[Allyfishing]

lol!! I was told to change it that often. Not? Actually it comes out to about twice a season. Once right before the rally and then right before our 2 week trip to hartwell. that's the only times I ever get to run on a lake bigger than the block I live on!!

 

[GotMyAlly]

I think the factory service manual calls for once a year or every 100 hours, whichever occurs first.

 

[Lotus 50]

I can live with once a year or 100 hours. That's what I did with my XR gearcases, 3 of which blew up.

 

[silverbullet02]

I just did mine tonight, first time since last year. I checked it once or twice this summer, still looked good tonight when I drained it. Don't know how many hours I had on it though.

 

[ally2dextreme]

I can live with once a year or 100 hours. That's what I did with my XR gearcases, 3 of which blew up.

That's not nearly quick enough for the small gear cases

 

[biller31]

Any movement towards a solution in 2016?

 

[Dave Hensley]

Yep. CRT block, aftermarket internals, Mercury electrics, SVS intake, Merc 15" can and adapter, lightweight aftermarket can and clamp, 200 coned gearcase and a Wally Built cowl and pan. $35K on the low end. I might be able to help if someone wanted a good 280 or Drag powerhead. Might even have a cowl and gearcase laying around......;0)

 

[Jon]

Find me a boat to put it on and I might help you out.

 

[Dave Hensley]

Not into XR-2001's. Been there, done that. Now a vintage XR-2002 with string steering and 12" mid......that is worthy of a hot rod motor.

 

[GotMyAlly]

CRT block, aftermarket internals, Mercury electrics, SVS intake, Merc 15" can and adapter, lightweight aftermarket can and clamp, 200 coned gearcase and a Wally Built cowl and pan. $35K on the low end.

Could run twin 300XS's and still have money left over!

 

[Dave Hensley]

Could run twin 300XS's and still have money left over!

Neal anybody could do that....the cool factor just isn't there... Darris would love 1010 pounds bolted to the back of a 2016 XR 2002!!! Working right now on a 15" Mercury mid with 3.0 liter powerhead that should be in 445-450 pound range. Waiting on an adapter plate. I have the mid, gearcase and powerhead waiting. Saw and XR 2002 at the Jasper river run that had a big old JohnRude Venom on it.......