Lighter is definitely better, and 400 lbs seems to be about the upper limit; a lot of guys are running the older V-6 Mercs that weigh about that. If I was making a 10 hr run to the Abaco's, I'd prefer the old 300 lb V-4 I used to have! The carb'd 60 degree 150/175 V-6 OMC's weigh about 375 and provide plenty of power. The 115/130 V-4 E-TEC's also weigh about 375. You can offset some of the weight effect by moving batteries and the console forward and by running a 4B stern lifting prop and a Doelfin or equivalent on the motor, but that will reduce WOT speed.
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