I just picked up my 2005 Nitro Nx 882 w/150 hp Merc XR6 after having the carpet replaced and the gel coat restored to its original glory. It looks like a new boat and that got me thinking, which is dangerous for me. I'm considering replacing my XR6 with a new 150 hp Merc. I'm an old man with decades of 2 stroke experience and would lean toward a 150 EFI. I understand that the trend is toward 4 stroke technology. Going to the Mercury Marine website doesn't make a decision any easier because they, naturally. won't suggest one of their products over another so I'm turning to you folks to provide some guidance based on real life personal experiences or educated opinions.

By the way, my 20 year old XR6 runs beautifully so I'm complicating the decision by trying to fix something that ain't broke. I simply just don't have the confidence that I once had and I'm too d**n old at 79 to spend the night out on the Kissimmee Chain due to a motor that crapped out for some reason.

Thanks in advance.

 

It’s a pretty rare instance when a repower makes sense financially but in your case having refurbed the rest of your boat and must be planning on keeping it for a long while.  I don’t know if Mercury still produces the efi or if you would have to buy used.  It would be an option if you can buy new but not if you are replacing an older motor with a used motor.  If it were me I would either keep my current motor or repower with a 4 stroke new.  You want reliability which would push me to the new 4 stroke.  

3 hours ago, Nitro 882 said:

I just picked up my 2005 Nitro Nx 882 w/150 hp Merc XR6 after having the carpet replaced and the gel coat restored to its original glory. It looks like a new boat and that got me thinking, which is dangerous for me. I'm considering replacing my XR6 with a new 150 hp Merc. I'm an old man with decades of 2 stroke experience and would lean toward a 150 EFI. I understand that the trend is toward 4 stroke technology. Going to the Mercury Marine website doesn't make a decision any easier because they, naturally. won't suggest one of their products over another so I'm turning to you folks to provide some guidance based on real life personal experiences or educated opinions.

By the way, my 20 year old XR6 runs beautifully so I'm complicating the decision by trying to fix something that ain't broke. I simply just don't have the confidence that I once had and I'm too d**n old at 79 to spend the night out on the Kissimmee Chain due to a motor that crapped out for some reason.

Thanks in advance.

 

I've been following your boat refurbishment with tremendous interest.

I'm truly delighted that the outcome met your expectations.

I would like to share my perspective on the re-power process.

First, some background for context.

I exclusively operated Mercury 2-stroke outboard motors professionally for over 20 years.

I operated these motors mostly on the North Atlantic, from Maine to South Carolina.

In some conditions that still haunt me to this day. 

They always got me there and back, and they even helped save a few lives along the way.

Including my own.

So when it was time for me to purchase a rig of my own, you can guess where I went.

I'm not suggesting that other motors are inferior, but this is where my confidence was in 2016.

After two years, the 200 hp OptiMaxDFI had just over a hundred hours on it—a full year left on the all-inclusive factory warranty—and looked and ran like brand new.  While still having an almost a cult following, the big two strokes Mercs are No Longer made.

The ProXS 4-stroke had just come out and Mercury was offering very friendly refinancing options. 

Additionally, the funds expended on this new motor would be about the same as what I'd need to spend on an 'extended warranty' for a three-year-old motor.  Instead, I get a brand new unit.

Either way, all that seemed to make it a pretty good time to repower.

So I did.

https://youtu.be/TOB6-lDjea0?si=2-TPu14F_upvPhal

 

Here is the current information.

After 7 full seasons with the 4-stroke, I could not be happier.

My rig runs about the same.  In addition to being significantly quieter, the 4-stroke eliminates the need for oil addition and produces almost no exhaust, making it IMO, just as reliable as the 2-stroke.  

 I tend to be difficult to convince, but I accept the situation as it is. 

If it were me in this case, and I was happy with the reliability of this motor, I would have it professionally serviced by a trained Mercury OB tech, and I would let this person tell me what the status of the unit is.

If the unit is in reasonable condition and requires minimal maintenance, I would keep it.

If there is any other determination offered, I'd get a new unit in a New York minute. 

Good luck with your decision.

A-Jay

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have run a lot of 2 stroke engines from all of the major manufacturers.  My last 2 stroke was a 225 Mercury Optimax.  I ran it trouble free for 14 years.  When I bought my current boat I opted for the Mercury Verado.  I’ve had 9 trouble free years so far and would never go back to a two stroke.  

IMO A-Jay's advise makes the most sense to me.  After all the lakes you fish aren't the great lakes or the ocean.  Get the motor checked out and keep fishing.

Nitro I am in the waining years myself.  I fully understand what you are thinking.  If the money is handy I say repower.  It will probably come with a 5 year warranty which will be a good peace of mind addition.  I recommend getting the four stroke, no oil to add, just change it yearly when the lower unit gets serviced.

I have a 5 year old red Chevy Silverado that is low mileage and everything works.  I am just tired of the color and thinking about getting a silver one.  At this time in life I say get what you want.

On 11/3/2025 at 11:36 AM, A-Jay said:

My rig runs about the same.  In addition to being significantly quieter, the 4-stroke eliminates the need for oil addition and produces almost no exhaust, making it IMO, just as reliable as the 2-stroke.  

 

How about the fuel efficiency on the big dawg?

 

I went from a 15 hp Evinrude 2 stroke to a 40 hp Merc 4 stroke, and the 40 hp 4 stroke uses far less fuel than the 15 hp 2 stroke. Sometimes I think the 40 hp 4 stroke makes it's own fuel.

 

I had a 200 hp 2 stroke BITD, and that thing could power through some fuel. Kinda hurt to fill up 42 gallons, even then.

1 hour ago, Big Hands said:

How about the fuel efficiency on the big dawg?

The 200 hp ProXS is a 4.6L V8—"fuel efficiency" seems about right 

for how I run it and what I get out of it. 

Truth be told, I pay more attention to the tach, trim, engine temp & water pressure

than I ever do to the fuel gauge.

Either way, after 5000 rpms, it's fun but she gets pretty thirsty.

A-Jay