Hi,

new to the board.  Opinions on the best motor for a 1998 Basscat Pantera?  Original motor was a Merc 200hp 2.5L EFI 2 stroke (418lbs).  It pretty much died and I'm looking for options.  2 stroke or 4 stroke?  Merc, E-tec, Honda?  

thanks

If you don't want to change all the cables stick with a Merc.  I prefer the DI 2 stroke over the 4 stroke.  So I'll recommend that you buy a Mercury Optimax.

Although it is a popularity contest I would look at the Yamaha VMAX SHO.if I were in the market........................Al

My motor is excellent, but when its time too look at another, im definitely looking at the. Yamaha vmax sho also. I am on a boat daily at work and we use the yamaha 4 stroke series and i am more than pleased with them.

But that said you cant go wrong with a new motor from any of the leading companies merc, e tec, yamaha. If your boat is rated for a larger motor and you want a larger motor then that is a personal decision.

I love my yamaha vmax hpdi so I'll throw my .02 for Yamaha.  I don't think you can go wrong with any of the choices though. 

First, what is the maximum horsepower you can put on the boat?

Second, Mercury two stroke, any type you want.

Three, have you checked your fuel lines for damage from ethonol? You may want to replace them when you change motors.

So get a two stroke Mercury that meets the boat's specifications along with new fuel lines and you will have years of fun without any problems.

Thanks for the feedback!  Max HP on the boat is 200, never run ethanol, but probably good idea to replace fuel lines anyway.  Hadn't thought much about the vmax, but will now take a serious look.