Hi guys. Strongly considering replacing my 2004 Merc XR6 (150 hp). I have been very happy with the performance over the 21 years I have owned it but, like me, age is taking its toll and the old girl is just not as reliable as I need. Seems I spend more and more time wrenching on her and this past annual Florida fishing vacation, I had to be towed 5 miles on Lake Toho to Southport. As I will be a young 80 this September, I plan on heading to Florida again next January and want to have as much reliability as I can muster.

Obviously, it's been a long time since I was in the market and I'd like to hear some suggestions from those of you who have sampled some of the new Mercury technology.

Mercury has earned my loyalty so only interested `in Merc at 150 HP.

I'm gonna start researching what's available on my own but appreciate real life experience.

Look forward to hearing from you and thanks in advance.

@Nitro 882 What size boat do you have? If you’re paying for a new engine, make sure you get the maximum horsepower it’s rated for. I just learned that from Ajay and some of the other guys. It’s better to have it at the top end — it might be a couple thousand more, but it’s worth it.

I repowered the Lund Pro- V bass in 2018.

Love it.

Here's the info

A-Jay

I'm sorry I cannot speak to the current version of the Merc motors as mine is 10 years old this year. I just wanted to say I'm heartened and encouraged by your post. I am 56 years old and I earnestly pray that I am repowering my Ranger at 79 years old for another 20 years of fishing. God bless and good luck to you, sir.

Thans for the replies so far. I have a Nitro NX882 single console (18' 2") which is rated for 175 HP.

I can't even spell WOT so I can't remember, in the last 20 years, ever feeling like I needed more power.

I have wished for more length (keep it clean boys and girls) when on "big water" and the white caps show up but power has never been an issue. I generally run between 3000/3500 RPM which results in about 30/35 mph. When I first got the rig, I was on Lake Sebago in Maine, early in the morning and the lake was like glass. As with any of us with any new truck, car motorcycle, or boat I wanted to see just what she had. Just me in the boat, half a tank (20 gallons) of gas and before I had collected 22 rods/reels and half of the inventory from the local BPS, I gradually nudged the throttle forward until I got just at 60 mph. I think she still had a slight bit more, but I didn't. Started to chine walk a little, which I had not experienced before or since, and it was blowing in my face so hard I had to turn my head to catch my breath.

I now know what she's got if I need it but would rather cruise along at a comfortable (for me) speed as opposed to the white knuckle, controlled crash experience I had back on Sebago.

When I look in the mirror, I'm reminded of a saying the airmen had in WWII. "There are old pilots and there are bold pilots but there are no old/bold pilots. ☺️

By the way, I have never seen many 175 hp's. Not saying it's a fact but I had gotten the impression that a 175 was just a tricked out 150 with souped up carburetion and the like. In my mind that would just put more strain/demand on components designed for delivering 150 HP. In any case, I understand the logic of having more power than you really need in reserve but I'8ve grown comfortable with 150 horses.

Thanks again for your responses.

Talk to Glen.....

I think you will like the new Mercury four strokes. I’ve had 10 trouble free years out of mine and if I repowered it would be another one.

As stated above by other members @Nitro 882, I’m also very happy with my Mercury four stroke. It’s definitely nice not having to buy Opti two stroke oil in bulk after years of doing so. I did check and there are two models, the base four stroke and the ProXS, which would meet your requirements.

I repowered last year with a new 2025 Mercury 4 stroke and couldn’t be happier. Great motor