I looked into this pretty closely, for the 150 the wot range is 4750-5250 according the the service manual, the HP rating is at 5000. The 175 (same block) is in the 5250-5750 range with the HP rating at 5500. Everthing is the same but they must tweek it somehow to get the extra rpm, Probably with the computer somehow. I wonder if I can hack it?
Given the condtion of the bottom and the junk I have on board, I think the top end is in line with where it is suppose to be.
My disappointment with 140's vs the 150's stems from a test on the same boat.
While not anything like a seacraft there is some meaningful info in thise comparison...
http://twinveeboats.com/engine_results.htm
http://twinveeboats.com/DockSide_26CC.html
WOT difference is 52.5 vs 45.1 [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]
At 30 mph, 2.3mpg for the evinrude 150s and about 3mpg for the 140's. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Some quick calc's based on 200 hours of use each season would save me about 1300 bucks per year in fuel (@2.25/gal) give or take. Not bad, over 5 years the savings is about 6500. (by then the life of the engine is questionable IMO)
some other #'s :
http://twinveeboats.com/engine_results.htm