If anyone on Cape Cod wants a run on a 23 with bracket and a Gen 1 250HP Verado let me know (post April 15 when Cod season opens). The motor is dialed in now after working some items out in 09 (batt ground cable had a crack out of sight causing some weirdness, and new impeller, other minor stuff).
Plenty of torque
. With a Rev4 17P blade prop it jumps out of the hole! With a Mirage Plus 3 blade 17P it does not jump out of the hole as fast, but has a better top end speed. It is an amazing motor. Heavy though prob ~50lbs more than other 4S. Hydraulic pumps/reservoir is under the console so that helps.
Came with boat, do like the engine, and since all rigged with Digital throttle, new N2K gauge that networks into MFD, analog digital gauges clip into each other, and hydraulic steering pump/reservoir under the helm sort of committed to Merc moving forward
. However I'd be tempted to go Suzuki new for the price. Local Merc dealer while pricey is very good. Thats the other factor besides torque/hp/MPG...whose your dealer and how close and good?
Since with a 4S, forget wrenching more than a few things yourself(oils changed,plugs,etc). Its a modern car engine and needs a laptop to diagnose.