2003 mercury 150

[Blue_Heron]

Blue Heron, you are correct on your description, except, all of the engines do not produce 23-25 # pressure. My 2.4L Merc 89 200 HP produces 12 PSI at full throttle as per the OEM Manual. I think it depends on which engine you have. If it does not have a water pressure guage installed you should do one right away. Then you know for sure water is circulating.

I looked at my earlier post and I probably could have been more clear about what I was trying to say. What I meant was; The water pump produces about 25-30psi and the poppet valve regulates that to the 10-12psi you see on your water pressure gauge. When my poppet was stuck, pressure would go from 5psi at idle up to 25+psi at WOT. Now that it's working, it tops out at 10-12psi. I definitely agree about having a water pressure gauge.

I Didn't intend to hijack the thread. In regards to the original question, I have two Merc V6 engines, a '91 150XR4 and a '96 200. They've been very reliable. As long as you maintain the fuel delivery system (because it also delivers the lubricant), and the cooling system, it should provide many years of reliable service.

[askipper3]

All good replies thats what I want, people talk *&^* About merc, but I say mercury all the way.

[Bigshrimpin]

Who talks $^%#@ about merc? I love the older 2 stroke motors. I got my hands on an optimax this past weekend and they seem pretty straight forward too. I still think those verado's are just WAY too big and heavy for outboards.

the best links I know of for mercs are:

www.biggerhammer.net/mercury/
www.screamandfly.com
www.byuboyz.com

[Blue_Heron]

All good replies thats what I want, people talk *&^* About merc, but I say mercury all the way.

Chris,
What prop are you running on that 150? What are your cruise and WOT speeds? I have the same Seacraft Industries (SIC) hull as yours (mine's an '83), but I'm running a 200. I'd like to get an idea of how our hulls perform compared to Potters. I think the SIC hulls are a little heavier. I know the SIC SFs are 8" longer than the Potter SFs.
Dave

[askipper3]

Ummm, well, I havent really got the feel of it yet(only on the sea trail) i bought the boat...but im STILL waiting to get it in my possession.

What I do know is that it has a mercury SS Prop, tops out at about 39 knots, and cruises around 30 knots. Pretty sure on this info.

Are those the only diff. in the potter hulls and ours? How fast is urs?

[Blue_Heron]

Mine cruises at 35mph @ 4200rpm and goes about 47mph gps WOT @ 5200rpm. Some of the guys with Potter 20s report speeds in the mid 50s with a 200.

[askipper3]

hmm not bad, do you know where i can get the spec sheet on our boats>

[Blue_Heron]

Look here:

http://www.classicseacraft.com/broch...ure/index.html

Info on the SF 20 is on pages 3 and 4.