I am going to get a new boat in a few months. Stopped by David Fritts the other day and fell in love with the Phoenix 618. I've always had a Mercury, but they are not a Merc dealer. Also I live about 2 1/2 hours away from there. What can you tell me about the 618? How about the Yamaha and Evinrude 150 HP motors? How about buying from a dealer that far from home? Thanks for your help.......
I know if I were spending my money, I would want to get what I want. I would though factor in the availibility of service after the sale. If there are no Merc dealers within a reasonable driving distance of where you live, it might be worth considering another brand engine.
That being said, there is nothing wrong with the Evinrude or Yamaha. Each has its pro's and cons. Between those 2 I would opt for the Evinrude ETEC since its still a 2 stroke and they are GREAT running engines with very little issues. You can still get an Yamaha Vmax HPDI 150-175 which is still a 2 stroke as well. I just dont know how much longer Yamaha will continue to build those engines.
Oh and WELCOME to BBC!! It is a great bunch of people here and we all are more than willing to help you out!!
Anything specific you want to know? Overall, other than being shorter and rated for less horsepower so it's naturally slower than the 721. Otherwise, there's no different.
Hey Coke if you want to go to Mare of Aquia in Fredericksburg they are a Phoenix dealer an also a Mercury dealer too. Thats were I got my 618 and love it. Give Richard Addy a call and I'm sure he call hook you up. 540-657-1136.For my money theres no one better. Just Saying. If you have any questions shot me a IM and will help you out in anyway I can. Tom
Modified by Redtom at 6:35 PM 11/22/2010
I purchased my Phoenix from a dealer here in Texas, (Shipp's Marine), 3.5 hours away because of their customer service.
Many folks have this situation of the dealer being far away. But for the most part you can work things out. Get the boat/motor combo that you want and will be happy with.
Either way you will really like the 618. There are several folks here who own them and are happy.
Josh at David Fritts is great! He will take good care of you and will find a way of making you happy!
Good Luck!
We are a Phoenix dealer and have mercury yamaha and evinrude to choose from. The 618 is an incredible riding boat as I have never rode in a 18 foot boat that even comes close in ride quality. Let me know if I can help in any way tks Junior
"Luminous beings are we not this crude matter." Yoda
I bought my 721 from a dealer three hours away. Wish they were closer, but so far no issues to deal with. Get what you like and want if you can live with the lttle extra distance.
Call me in the morning. I have a 618 at the dealership with a 150 optimax. Same color as the one listed on our website (or the one you looked at when you were there) with the ETEC. It has a few demo hours on it and can save you a little $$
Here is a picture of it, I fished from it Sunday for a few hours.
I have the 618 w/ the 150 opti. Awesome combo! Jumps on plane, will run a very slow plane and turn flat. Heavy boat traffic wakes are cake. Loaded, gear, fuel & driver only, 62.5 gps. Boat requires minimal trim yet has good bow lift w/ a 23 tempest plus. Will chine walk w/ too much trim, too fast. Awesome riding/fishing machine. Tons of room/storage. Acts larger than an 18ftr. My dealer is 2.5 hrs away and have only went back once for the 20hr check. Had a bad gauge and was sent one from the factory within the week. Any questions, feel free to ask for specifics! Good luck and have fun picking your new rig!
Get Outside! w/ Henry
http://www.youtube.com/user/fishon421?feature=mhee
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Coke »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote"> How about the Yamaha and Evinrude 150 HP motors? How about buying from a dealer that far from home? Thanks for your help.......
I'vd not owned a 150HPDI but the 150 HO Etec I have and it's one of the if not the strongest 150 HP motor out there. I ran close to the same as 175's that are out there. The HO has maxed out 10% rule so the motor is really 162-165 hp motor. Also reports can't confirm but study showed the 150HO Etec when reving up to 5900 rpms an extra 10 ponies kick in. Read that report from Brannon Worner. Search his name out. He's got that report. On a legitimate tournament load on an 18' foot boat I whould hit 68 plus easily on the GPS and hit all time best 70 mph (with legitimate tournament load) in the cold fall/winter days (40° temps). I won't go into boat specifics because of different boat but I will be happy to share more on the motor and the 150 HO Etec is very very strong motor in it's class.
As for the HPDI I think for extra $700 dollars you can upgrade to 175. Something to consider. I have friends that have them and really like the motor. Also, Yamaha's 4 stroke 150 actually is competitive in all measures with other two stroke 150 class motors. Something to think about too. Good luck hope this helps.
175 Vmax HPDI and don't owrry about anything else...
Flyswatter... What prop are you running on your 150HO? and what rpms? I just bought a 618 pro with a ETEC 150 HO with a Raker II 22p. Trying out a 24p Monday to see how it does.
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Darth VMAX »</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">175 Vmax HPDI and don't owrry about anything else...
Dang it!!! I thought I had you converted!!!!!
he will come out of the closet sooner of later Marty
"Luminous beings are we not this crude matter." Yoda
This post is over a year old! Coke has purchased a beautiful bird since he first asked us about it. http://www.bbcboards.net/zerothread?id=684569
It's confusing because it was last commented on exactly a year ago!
Nice to see you guys keeping up with everything.....Yeah I got my ride and I love it.....thanks to everyone again for all the info, it really helped in making my decision easy....
What had me more confused than the date was the original poster said Fritts was not a Merc dealer but then Josh posted he was fishing from the boat and it had a Merc on it ????
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