New 2018 Mercury 150hp Pro XS 4-stroke

[Wheelman]

Lots of upgrades to perform better on a performance bassboat like a Basscat, so this is the one you want to order for your Margay, Sabre or Classic and not wanting to spend the money for a SHO or 175hp 2-stroke as the 150hp 2-stroke has been discontinued.Hope that helps, Chris

[Bass Cat Boats]

They will be once this becomes available.

[Wheelman]

Bass Cat Boats wrote:They will be once this becomes available. Have yall done any testing on one by chance or know when theyll be churning the water?

[Jstew]

Im more curious about the new 3.4L 175 four stroke. V6 vs. I4 and 30 more cubic inches will make better torque without gearing down the lower unit. It only weighs 19lbs. more and with at least 25 more hp and Id think much beefier torque – the 175 has my interest for a repower. As the 3.4L goes up the family to 225hp, theres a lot more opportunity for re-flash gains.

[Wheelman]

jstew wrote:Im more curious about the new 3.4L 175 four stroke. V6 vs. I4 and 30 more cubic inches will make better torque without gearing down the lower unit. It only weighs 19lbs. more and with at least 25 more hp and Id think much beefier torque – the 175 has my interest for a repower. As the 3.4L goes up the family to 225hp, theres a lot more opportunity for re-flash gains.I saw that too and agree, but its a big jump in price and honestly not a fan of the looks even though I typically am in favor of function over form.

[Bass Cat Boats]

Wouldnt buy anything fresh out of the chute. Im not an early adopter and leave the “on the water” developmental headaches to other guinea pigs. Im sure the pricing will run in line of availability & demand and will adjust once they get out. Everythings “high” when its the new kid. Two years ago 4K TVs were $1500+ – now you can get for $600 or so…. Ive got a few years (knock on wood) before I have to repower and might just get an appetite for a new boat in the meantime.Looks – if it was up to me, every outboard would have the “alien” Pro Max cowling with the wicked air scoops on the sides. Unfortunately – designers tastes and mine dont always agree. I do like the looks of the new 4 stroke line better than the current rounded – but wouldnt refuse to buy either due to cowl styling.The idea of a flashed 3.4L on the back of a Sabre is a hot boaters version of an old Chevy Vega with a 427 stuffed between the shock towers. You could easily run out of boat capability or driver skill before you run out of motor…..

[Bass Cat Boats]

Mercury has spent an extensive amount of time and effort on the new platform V6 block. Just like the present platform 150 four stroke was successful right out of the box, this should be as well. They have more coming than is still in the R&D phase.

[Wheelman]

jstew wrote:Wouldnt buy anything fresh out of the chute. Im not an early adopter and leave the “on the water” developmental headaches to other guinea pigs. Im sure the pricing will run in line of availability & demand and will adjust once they get out. Everythings “high” when its the new kid. Two years ago 4K TVs were $1500+ – now you can get for $600 or so…. Ive got a few years (knock on wood) before I have to repower and might just get an appetite for a new boat in the meantime.Looks – if it was up to me, every outboard would have the “alien” Pro Max cowling with the wicked air scoops on the sides. Unfortunately – designers tastes and mine dont always agree. I do like the looks of the new 4 stroke line better than the current rounded – but wouldnt refuse to buy either due to cowl styling.The idea of a flashed 3.4L on the back of a Sabre is a hot boaters version of an old Chevy Vega with a 427 stuffed between the shock towers. You could easily run out of boat capability or driver skill before you run out of motor….. I can only imagine a reflashed 175hp V6 Sabre, reminds me of my thoughts of reflashing a 200 SHO on a P2. My first hotrod was actually a V8 Vega, but it only had 377ci. Since you seem to be a car guy too, I liken airing a boat out with soft motor mounts to trying to corner carve with drag radials on a car…its just not confident inspiring with the soft sidewalls. Maybe the looks of the cowling will grow on me once I see some results, Im still a fan of the alien cowling too:)

[Bass Cat Boats]

Bass Cat Boats wrote:Mercury has spent an extensive amount of time and effort on the new platform V6 block. Just like the present platform 150 four stroke was successful right out of the box, this should be as well. They have more coming than is still in the R&D phase. Im glad to see the 200 and 225 are lighter, thats a step in the right direction in my book.

[Bass Cat Boats]

Just wait…

[Author]

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