New Merc 300HP-V8 (4.6L)
 

Does anybody have any experience with this motor? Especially on a 23’.

Why mess around?? This would look real nice back there!!

Agreed..........except for the warranty.

Strike that.....looks like a 3 year. I checked on the 400R a few years ago and seems like it was 1 year then. I say go for it!

The performance curves on the “R” motors are centered on the top end. My choice would be the V6 300.

If you look at how much HP the R motors put out at cruising rpm vs. fuel consumption, any time you're not running balls-to-the-wall, the 300 is a much smarter choice.

Spoke to my cousin at Bass Outdoor and quoted the 300 at just under $23k with digital

Does that include tax? A Df300 is running $19.5k out the door with digital controls and prop.

Not sure

Installation included?

When I had it done it was like $350 for install and in service.

Last summer Intl Marine was real close to that number - just below 19.5K installed w/ prop and gauge installed and water tested before tax on a deal I set up for a friend.

Yep, It's hard to beat Mike's prices. The big issue now is availability. IMS doesn't stock engines so it's based on distributor availability. They can definitely get them but wait times are fluid and folks in a hurry or on a tight schedule need to understand that fact.

Well I pulled the trigger and have put a deposit on a new Mercury 300hp-V8 (4.6L)! Motor should arrive in 3-4 weeks.

This weekend I plan to demo the transom in prep for an ARJAY poured transom.

Congrats on the purchase looking forward to seeing it on your boat. I also did my transom with Arjay and it was easy and is solid as a rock.

I currently have a double secret project that I'm thinking of and keeping it from the Admiral for now. I'm looking at a 23 project and am pulling numbers together to see if I can get away with it and not get thrown out of the house.

Well my jealousy meter is pegged!!!! :) Congratulations!

X2 on that jealousy meter.....The SeaCraft gods are pleased. Beast of a motor!!

Congrats!! So in 4 weeks and 2 days we expect a full report with stats and pictures.

You should consider a Honda 250. Plenty of power with 2:1 gear ratio and absolutely incredible fuel efficiency. 5 year non-declining warranty.

I dropped the SeaCraft off at the Merc dealer today at lunch to get the new 300-V8 installed! It should be ready in about a week. Motor in crate and ready to be released. Exciting times!

Like a kid at Christmas! Congrats!

What prop are you considering?

Jim’s Hardtop
 

Hey Jim-

Congrats again. I like your hardtop and would like to not deal with the putting up and taking down of the bimini for the 45 mile highway speed home. Also to have a firm grasp for Vezo’s “monkey walk”. However just last week took my Seafari (top down) under a low bridge with 12-15” clearance to the windshield to the sweet, calm water upstream for great slalom and wakeboard. Have thought about something sturdy but hingeable which gets back to attaching canvas to it. Any good designs or suggestions from the CSCers?

Prop selection is yet to be determined. The Merc dealer (BAR Marine Group) that is doing my install is a Hi-Performance re-power specialist. The Owner is Ben Robertson Jr, who was/is Reggie Fountain's right hand man and one of his lead drivers for his race boats. If you Google him, there are some good reads. Ben and his crew are setting up my engine and plan to run several props and give me feedback on how each performs. Then I get to choose which one best meets my needs and style of boating. Ben was also the former GM of Fountain power boats, I can't think of a better guy to "dial in" my boat. They have also repowered many SeaCrafts in the past, so I feel very confident I will be happy with the performance. I'll post whatever prop we end up with.

Thanks Terry! We love our Hard top. It really transformed our boat when my dad had it custom built back in 1991.

Congrats on the repower. You must be elated.

Major progress is happening! Motor should be fully installed and dialed in on Monday/Tuesday of next week

Any updates Jim?

Michael

Picked up the boat today. Motor is beautiful!

The third pic reminds me of the first pictures new parents take with their new baby fresh brought home from the Hospital. Congrats! Im a little jealous. She is going to be a lot more fun now.

Can't wait to see the numbers!

Oh My God! They let you run Circle K fuel through that infant? Haha

Best of Luck, Jim. Congratulations!!!

Vezo

Congrats! I see a rev4 on the Merc. I can't wait to hear how she runs.

Congrats. Boat and engine look great

Jim tells me with a full tank, two men 5880 rpm = 51.5 mph, with the 18 pitch 4 blade SST prop. Will be curious to see what his 30 mph rpm numbers are!

Yep. That’s correct. Those numbers were given to me by the Merc dealer guys that installed my engine. They tried 3 props and that one was the best. The other ones were a 4 Blade 21” that was too much prop, only 5275 rpm max at WOT. They also tried a 3 blade 18” but same top end mph but not as strong of a hole shot. So the 4 Blade 18” was the best of the 3 props.

I’m going out to the lake today to run the boat for myself. I’ll report back my findings

Looking good Jimbo! I'd like to reserve my seat for Bahama 2021.

Had a great first day with the new motor today at the lake. Perfect weather day, sunny and around 70 degrees. The motor is all I was hoping for. Quiet, smooth, powerful, and fuel efficient. It starts just like a car. Turn the key and it’s on, even when cold. I’m definitely not used to that! The prop I’ve got is a Mercury Marine Rev4. 4 blade, 18” pitch. First run numbers are: This was with 2 people and 80 gallons of fuel

3500 RPMs/28 mph/7.5 GPH/3.73 mpg
3620/29/8.3/3.49
3700/30/8.6/3.45
3800/31/9.0/3.44
4000/33/10.1/3.26
4600/40/13.3/3.00
4740/41/13.7/2.99
5940/52.3/24.7/2.11 (WOT)

I can only imagine how exciting that must be. Keep us posted.

Very impressive fuel numbers Jim.

Thanks Ken. When I repowered with a new fuel efficient 4-stroke 300 HP motor my goal was 3.2 mpg cruise. My old 2-stroke Yamaha 225 was around 2.6. So I'm VERY happy with the ~ 3.4 mpg I'm seeing now at 30 mph cruise. That's a 30% improvement in fuel mileage vs. 2 stroke. Does that sound about right?