I'm thinking of repowering wondering how the new 150 pro Xs 4 stroke does. The 3.0 and 2.08 gear ratio will fix the hole shot it appears. But how is the top speed on a 18 ft boat?
I'm thinking of repowering wondering how the new 150 pro Xs 4 stroke does. The 3.0 and 2.08 gear ratio will fix the hole shot it appears. But how is the top speed on a 18 ft boat?
One hell of alot of variables there....
Betting it makes a massive difference exactly which 18’ boat.
Most will run between 56-60mph, depending on how the boat is set=up.
Thank you that let's me know I need a 175
I agree with Catch get the biggest you can afford. If you put any extra weight in the boat like Talon's or Poles you will need it.
I had both a 150 and a 175 on a Sabre FTD. There was only about 7 MPH difference on top speed. The big difference was cruising speed and top speed with a two people and a full tournament load vs one and a light load. The 175 carried the load A LOT better.
I think you'll find that universal. The 150 will do the job, but if you can put the 175 on it and can afford it then go for it.
Aaron Campbell
Barling, AR
2007 Bass Cat Sabre
2011 Merc 175 Pro XS
Ok I will be putting the motor on a 181 champion. It currently has a 200 efi that is getting tired. 150 is Max hp on the boat. I was asking about the 150 because I wanted to abide by the rating. But judging by the responses. I will probably go with the 175. Thank you for your responses all.
I owned a 181SX with a 150 PROV Yamaha for about 4 years and put maybe 500 on hours it before selling it to a friend who still has it. I bought a 187 with a 175 Johnson which I later repowered to a 175 HPDI. I traded that for the Sabre FTD. I’ve had a few 18’s LOL. I did an extensive write up here on the 183 Champ running a 150 along with the 188/200 back in the day. A good 150 will do fine on that hull. You should be able to run a solid 60, maybe 65 depending a few variables? That’s a fantastic hull if you’ve taken care of it, one of the few 18’s that will give a Sabre a run for its money on speed.
A new 175 DFI would light that hull up! I surpassed a few people running 68 with two of us and all our stuff with my little Sabre FTD DC. I was running a 175 PROXS turning a 24 Fury. You had to drive it as much as most 20’ers at 80 mph.
I have the Mercury 4 stroke 150 on my z18 and have been up to 62 GPS.
I went from a 175 opti to a 150 four stroke. I love it but lost too much MPH in my opinion. Wish I would have been able to wait to get the 175 four stroke
Not enough to go on. What kind of boat?
BassCat Sabre FTD
Mercury 150 Optimax
"It's just fishing"
If your going with a 150 get a G2 150 HO. It’s much more powerful than 150, plus you get a 10 yr warranty. If not skip the 175 and go to the new ProXS 200hp 4 stroke V8. Also the 200 HO G2 is hard to beat with the 10 yr warranty.
If the boat has a 150 rating and you have been running a 200 and now you are thinking of repowering, why stop at 175 Just go with another 200, or a 225. Prices are all very similar.
Bruce
2019 20 TRX Patriot
Mercury 250 ProXS Fourstroke
HDS 12 Live - Console
HDS 9 Live - Bow
Am I the only one that thinks it’s not wise to exceed the the HP rating from a insurance perspective in case something were to happen? I wouldn’t even think you could get it insured unless you lied about the motor.
Just can't leave well enough alone!!
98 Stratos 273 w/ 150 Faststrike