Pantera Classic decision

[Nelson2014]

If you get the 200 you will be happier for doing that. Especially in the bigger tournaments. Just because you have a 200 you don’t have to use the extra power and speed but it is nice to know you have it if you need it. Just my opinion. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Wheelman]

I think youd be much happier with performance of the 200hp vs 150hp if were talking the new 4-strokes as the 4.6L DOHC V8 is going to produce ~50% more torque than the 3.0L SOHC 4cylinder and sound better doing it. If the V8 4-stroke is out of the budget Id atleast consider the 175hp V6 Pro XS, this is coming from someone who has a Merc 150hp 4-stroke on a 300lb lighter Sabre FTD and have ridden in a new classic with the 150hp 2-stroke which makes more torque than mine. Especially if youre considering power pole and going to be running around with livewells full, hope that helps.

[Bass Cat Boats]

Zask21 wrote:Trying to decide between the 150 or 200 Merc. My concerns are with the 150, boat will be a tournament boat so heavy load and full livewells, hole shot, and my father and I are both 200lbs so another 400lbs. Is this engine enough? Tho where I am on the east coast our lakes are very small and can get from one side to the other in a17ft 60hp in 4mins. Tho I would fish some bigger water if I ended up purchasing this boat.If I can make it work I can use that extra 3k towards a power pole or talon. Just asking for opinions since I’ve never had a bigger boat then an ranger rt series.150 will do what you need it to do, 200 will do what you want it to do……. You will recover a bunch of that 3K at resale and if you add shallow anchors, heavy trolling motor etc. You will be glad you have the 200. 200 isnt going to work as hard so should help with motor life also.Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

[Bass Cat Boats]

Don’t overlook the new 175 Pro XS as this engine has a ton of torque and will improve the performance significantly on the Pantera Classic model. This seems to be a Greta engine and one that brings a new thought process to any boat purchase. The few grand in savings might swing the pendulum towards affordability for younger anglers with families. It also offers more parent comfort for those high school parents who’s youth are winging on their own now. They also build the V6 in a non Pro XS engine and 200 HP for a different and more affordable consideration. Though that price won’t be tremendously less. The 150 Pro XS, HO and SHO engines all offer a higher pony platform for bass anglers and work fine, though they won’t be demons on the Pantera Classic. They become daily drivers and get by fine if that’s what your after. We deal with all sorts of consumers across the country and the choices are each their own.

[Wheelman]

For those that have been around awhile and remember the 2.0L 150hp Merc 2-stroke, thats what Id compare the 150hp 3.0L 4-stroke to. The 175hp 4-stroke is like the 2.5L 2-stroke and the 200hp V8 4-stroke like the 3.0L 2-stroke in terms of torque comparison and holeshot, Basscat having more experience than me can correct me if Im wrong. The different gearing helps multiply the torque output to some extent, but theres no replacement for displacement (except forced induction, but it adds weight) when trying to move more weight which boats these days with all there extra accessories of course have gotten heavier. That being said I got from point A to point B and caught plenty of bass out of the panfish 16 with 25hp 4-stroke and stick steering that I used to rent from the base, so its not necessary to have the biggest motor of course.Last edited by Wheelman on August 1st, 2018, 4:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Zask21]

Wow really great information guys, really appreciate it! I’ve done a good amount of research on these engines but love to hear opinions. The 175 Pro XS with the right 4 blade prop would probably be a good fit for the rig? Opioins? Not sure how much testing with props has been done on the new line up of Pro XS’s

[BIGCATTER]

My opinion , which along with 2 bucks will get you a cup of coffee , is this . — If this is your ” forever ” boat , either of the smaller motors will serve you well , but if you go to sell it , the 200 will sell it faster . — Hoss

[oldtimer57]

I would go 200 and forget the power poles / Talons. Extra weight. Get in the way when fishing from the back. Extra drag when running at speed. Anchoring a bass boat in shallow water is not something I normally think of. I have seen LOTS of bass boats where the only use of the power poles I have seen is to anchor at the ramp. I have heard several say that has been their only usage as well. Seems like an expensive deal for that… IMHO it is better to run a 200 at 3/4 throttle, than to run a 150 WOT all the time, because you are running the 200 in an efficient part of its power band and getting incredibly good fuel economy. WOT is WOT, motors basically burn 1/10th of their HP in gallons per hour at WOT. With a 200 you can run 50 at 4000 RPM or so and stretch the gas out ridiculously compared to the older non-optimax 2 strokes.Last edited by oldtimer57 on August 7th, 2018, 2:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[cadmoving]

200

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