Team Marine TV checking in! 👍🏻😎👍🏻

Just discovered the channel and absolutely love it! When I was shopping for a new boat in 2019 just before covid hit, all the manufacturers were pushing combos with Honda motors here and was led the believe yamis and mercs were short supply and never ended up ordering a boat yet. Currently run a early 2000s Mercruiser v8 and it’s been bullet proof, the real champ has been my 1986 Yamaha that was purchased new, it’s never missed a beat and exclusively used in salt water.

Best outboard I've ran was an '87 Mariner 150 Magnum. Came on a Skeeter SF150 my dad bought new. The original block had to be replaced 2 weeks after dad bought it, blew up on the water. After that it ran great for 25yrs until an oil line broke while i was running it. New block and it still runs great. Sold it 2 yrs ago to get something bigger.

Had a 2001 150HP Opti and it ran great for 17 years until it didn't. Got a 250 Pro XS now, and so far runs awesome. American product and made in the Midwest, which is a bonus in my book. My dad's had quite a few problems though with his 200HP Opti, something about running that thing on the river and the nose intake sucking crap into the thermostats and sticking them open.

Growing up poor most my life, I'm happy as hell to have a newer mercury and I think I looks and sounds amazing. To each their own.

I bought 2021 Ranger this past January with Merc 4 stroke, the only issue I have had is the shift solenoid, under warranty....engine runs strong...had the boat at 73mph on center hill lake here in Tennessee....I also have all Lithium batteries from the dealer....keep up the great work!!! I had a 150 pro xs on my 2013 Ranger....it had 350hrs on it...never had a issue with it, but I keep the maintenance up on my boats and don't abuse them either.....

I have a 98 carbed 135 v6 and I absolutely love it, ran it several times every week the last 3 years without any problems.

Andy, honesty is why we subscribe and continue to watch you content. Keep up what you are doing. Let’s do the Mercury plant tour.

Had several Merc's back in the day. All have been okay but I upgraded to a Suzuki 2 years ago and it's been problem free....unlike my Mercs

Never had a Merc myself but my grandpa had an 02 150 EFI 2 stroke with a jet pump. Ran good till we sank the boat in a bad part of the river. After we recovered the boat, the starter lasted 2 trips before it burnt up, it wouldn't stop turning over after it was started. Then the engine lasted about a year before the sand inside blew it up. He didn't pay someone to tear down and inspect it. Just popped the plugs out and turned it over a couple times to push the water out and then oiled the inside to prevent rust and then ran it hard a couple times. Prior he had a 92 115 Evinrude with a jet pump, had problems fouling plugs every few years before they found what was causing it. Trim went out for a long time probably 5-10 years before they found that the wires were shorting at the engine. Wasn't enough slack to allow the engine to turn so it was just ripping them apart. Other than that this engine is still running solid. Does about 35mph with a jet on a 1752 flat bottom. I know we put that boat through the ringer, totaled it out 3 times. Tore holes in it from running to shallow, heck even jammed a lot up through the shoe, impeller, and lodged it between the exhaust and pump side walls. Took a bit to fix this one. New shoe, impeller, and exhaust tube for inside the pump. Still get a kick that this engine is still running after this long and that I am now able to run my boat along side it. My grandpa sold it off a while ago and somehow a family member looking for a river boat found it for sale and bought it back. It need a new shoe and intake grates but still running good.

As usual, great video. Honesty is all we expect out of you. And some swear words... we definitely expect some of those!

Love the honesty sir! Hard to come by these days! Give it to me straight! Great job!

I love my 2005 250sx. Pushes a 21xd Bullet over 85 loaded with 3 lead acid batteries. Back then the racing motors(XS) were built by a single tech. Although when I has it serviced it did have powerhead replaced at 26 hrs under warranty by Merc. So there's that. Lol

Love your honesty, that’s why we watch. Keep up the good work!

im running a 2022 mercury 60 4 stroke tiller on my 1652 Legend Craft Ambush Elite and I haven't had any issues yet but rather have a 2 stroke Yamaha.

Keep it coming! Great show!

Great video Andy

I have been a mercury fan promax Bridgeport those are my fav but just bought my first Optimax 2007 225 pro sx 190hrs on it and nothing but a headache so far haven’t even got to get it to the lake yet fuel lines fuel pumps in VST… $200 buck!!!!!!!! diaphragms in the fuel rails hopefully I will get it straightened out anyways love your videos keep up the good work

Where are all y'all Mercury die hards at?

I used to have a 04' 90/65 merc. jet on a triton tin boat loved that engine and being a 2 stroke. Not a big fan of 4 stroke but it's what we have to have now

I bought three 1989 70 hp Johnsons in 89. Two I put on my Whaler and one on my Tracker. All three still running fine with over 3,600 hours combined. The only issues I had with them was deteriorating fuel lines. An easy fix. New lines and carb re-builds. All still have the original oil injection. I have a new Merc 115XS coming, if I can ever get my new boat. I'm not expecting 34 years out of it, but 20 would be nice.

have a brand new 90 mercury 4 stroke that runs like a champ. runs faster than the yamaha sho and has had no problems. love this motor

I went from a 4 stroke Pro XS to a Suzuki 250 SS last year and couldnt be happier. No more issues

I run a Mercury and personally enjoy it. But I also haven’t had any problems with them yet 😂 I wanna see the Mercury plant though! Let’s go!!!

I look after a fleet of 10 whale watching boats, in that fleet ive got 10 mercs. Back in the opti days we were lucky if we got 3000hrs. The early verado L6 were the same. I've currently got a pair of L6 with 4800hrs, still putting out 160psi compression, I'm impressed. Also have a set of seapro 200s, 1800hrs on them, other than thermostats and a trim assy they've been great, good on fuel too.

Thank you for your content & humor. Do you have a video of how to remove the lower cowling on a 2021 merc pro xs 250 4 stroke? A buddy of mine asked me to help him replace his. Not sure if he hit something or why he would need to change it, but he asked for help. Thanks, aby

Who's running a Mercury out there? What's your experience been like?

I'm looking into buying a new or used boat soon...thanks for the great info on the Mercs. Also, are there boat brands or models that you recommend that handle rough water better...in the 20ft. class? Appreciate how you're always keepin' it real...and funny!

Interesting video. I have had 2 Mercury 60hp motors. Both run great. not a minute of problems. It is the only motor in the Mercury lineup made in China. This is what my dealer told me. I wish it wasn't true but it is what it is. I had 2 Mercury 150hp XR6's. Both great engines. Boy were they fast for a 150hp. I had the one for 16 years. I loved it.

I work at Mercury Marine in Fond du Lac, I might be able to answere some questions confidentialy.

Hell yeah go to mercury! I’m in the process of buying one. Can’t get a Yamaha where I’m at.

Just had a 150 Mercury go bad at 10.9 hours. Perfect break in process for first 10 hours. Made a 20 minute run at 4000rpm and came to idle and the engine alarm went off. “Low oil pressure” …. Checked the oil it was fine. Took it back to tracker and I g story short Mercury had me a new motor within 7 days. They needed up finding metal flakes in the oil. Kind of a joke but they fixed it and new motor all good so far.

Let's see the tour! Currently running 2019 250 pro xs on 24ft bay boat over 300 hours. Only issue is paint peeling off the lower unit.

I would love to see you do a tour through the Mercury plant and give is your honest opinion about the way they treated you and if they would consider any of your ideas in making Mercury a better product than it is now. Love to see that!!! Come on Mercury, do this for the consumers. And yes my boat is powered by a 2022 Mercury 200hp ProXS V8 4stroke with 10 hours as of today. Keep the honesty coming. We all love it!! TY

I have a 2020 pro xs 225. I had 97 hours last October and zero issues so far. Oh ya one recall they gave me some new emission stickers or something like that.

I would love for you to do a video in the Mercury plant. Maybe they can lean something from you about how to get them to run good out of the box. Great content as always.

I can't speak to the long term reliability of the new Mercury motors, but I have used a new 24' center console a few times recently that was fitted with a 250 and it runs like a total beast on that boat. Jumps up on plane almost instantly and runs around 40 wide open.

Another great over under!!!! How long would it take to get a 40 or 50 Suzuki and controls into the shop if I cant get my 83 tin head 40 running right after replacing all the electrical, rebuilding the carb and fuel pump? CDI has the trigger for rebuild and I should know in about 2 weeks.

Good video, speaking of props It would be elucidating to look in relation to speed and efficiency maybe even high tech type like a Sharrow prop. food for thought.

Finally a boat expert that care about speed. Cool breath of fresh air in my opinion. I'm a speed demon and will be when I'm 80 years old lol. Who doesn't love goin fast

I'm from across the boarder in the north ! On my drive to work in a 3 km stretch of the highway we have 3 merc dealers every small town on the water has a merc dealer ... I ran a Suzuki 60 tiller for 15 years had over 3k hours it only new 2 settings idle or WOT never skipped a beat boat was stolen new boat being a Lund only way to get them is with a merc and if we had a Suzuki dealer with knowledge (was told they don't make 90 tiller ) I would be running one tomorrow ! Need more honest knowledgeable service guys keep up the good work 👏

What’s a good way to keep my 03 opti 225 running good. Been running fuel treatment each fill up.

I owned 10 mercs thrue the years and 4 of them faild bad. 40efi 2008 matal chavings in the oil=rod bearing after 67h. 100efi 2010 piston pin came loose making a mess of the cylinder 90h. 100efi new powerhead was bad, lost 10mph so got a nother new powerhead and sold the engine. 115efi pro xs 2016 camshaft bearing went bad 32h. Stil own a couple of mercs but thinking of going SHO💪🏻 Love the chanel👌🏻 Let’s make it happen with the merc plant video👍🏻

Your honesty is awesome 👏

I purchased my 2021 Mercury 15 HP EFI 4 Stoke (Tahatsu) Outboard about a year ago new. I like this motor for 14ft jon/Bass Boat i use.

Appreciate the honesty. If I upgrade my trusty ‘ol carbed two stroke Yamaha 150, I’ve been interested in the Merc 4S 150 due to price and dealer network. But I had such a poor experience with an unreliable Merc I/O I’d have a hard time buying another one of their products. I know the new outboard is a different animal but I think I’ll stick with my good luck with Yamaha and Suzuki. Thanks for giving me some good stuff to think about.

I have that same exact boat that’s behind you. Awesome boat.

Had a 130 Evinrude on my 1995 boat. Absolutely zero issues. Traded that in for a boat with a 225 Johnson in 2000. That engine was a nightmare. The carbs constantly clogged. Repowered after that blew at 1400 hours with a 250 etec. Loved that motor. Ran it for 1100 hours with absolutely zero issues. Nothing but plugs and water pump impellers. Traded that boat in for a boat with a mercury. So far we only have 120 hours on it and my only complaint is the speedometer orifice keeps getting clogged.

Hopefully boat manufacturers give you more options when buying a boat. I just got a Phoenix with a 200 merc on it. Could’ve gotten a sho with a $3000 upgrade but I got the merc just to save money wish they could’ve offered a Suzuki option too.

I'm running a 2022 proxs on a Puma STS only mercury issue I've had were the gauges weren't working when I got it.

Thanks for what your doing,watched your videos on the (coneheads) have you experienced similar problems with the 115 pro xs built pre covid?

I wrench at a marina in whitewater that still works on them, we even still work on a couple old stringer drive boats

Love the channel, glad I found it! Need to repower and am between the Mercury V8 300 and Yamaha f300. Saltwater offshore boat. Was 100% staying with Yamaha but have been looking at the Merc V8. Andy, what would you buy?

?question? I have a 08 optipop It runs great but in rough water cuts out , like a really hard fast completely loses power for a fraction of a second until I hit the next wave. I know it’s electrical. But have no idea where to start looking

Do you think a platinum warranty is a good idea if you buy a mercury? Just curious on your opinion thanks!

I have a 2020 115 pro xs brand new on the boat. Second day taking it out and fuse blew up. Took it to the dealer and they couldn't find anything wrong.

I'm in the market for a new boat (lund tyee or fisherman). Only come with Merc. Would LOVE to see a merc special!!! I would love to know if I'm purchasing a boat/motor that I can feel confident in, OR, if I just purchase the boat and rig with another motor (probably void some warranty on transom lol).

Yes on Merc meeting/tour

Have a 2019 cougar with a 250 4stroke on it, haven’t had a issue since we’ve had it besides impeller pump recently needing to be replaced

Finally!!! Some one who hates the new cowling shape. Thank you!!!!

I live on the Mississippi gulf coast .. as anyone knows salt water is extremely corrosive and to boot the gulf can be very dangerous not a good place to be stranded . Take a ride by any marina and literally hundreds and hundreds of boats you’ll see only 2 brands.. Yamaha and Suzuki with a very occasional Verado . Most charter companies run Yamaha .. just an observation for the channel.. keep up the good work !! 😎

I am running a 2021 Suzuki 6 on a 1040 lowe flat bottom . Gets me up the rivers here in central il

Hey, love the channel! This was a missed opportunity to describe the current Mercury outboards' good, bad, and ugly. For example, what happened in the 70's has no impact on current motors. The fact that WI has high taxes and Mercury leveraged a better deal has no impact on the current motors. What is good our bad with current motors? That is what I was expecting. With that said, keep up the good work!

I'm looking at buying a 95 Skeeter and it has a 115 Mariner on it. Would that 115 Mariner be considered the power of tower junk or would they be good motors

Andy, Love my pro xs 2 stroke on my BassCat, no one passes me headed down the river, no one

Hilarious about the sound of the new Merc 4 strokes!

So mercury are good promoters... so i should let myself get sold to mercury but dont expect longevity------ wow thats great to hear, especially when i was thinking about getting one this weekend

Andy I always felt like our Merc/Mariner service rep really did care about the product and I always felt He (Brian H.) Tried his best and went out of his way to help me when or if I had a issue we were having trouble resolving.And Mercury was always very good on warranty,even paid to fix some things that were out of warranty just because customer satisfaction seemed to reign supreme for the most part.Theres days I kinda miss the shop,but for the most part I'm enjoying not having to worry so much about keeping those wheels turning,and I stay busy enough building a few engines and playing with my latest toy (vapor honing cabinet).Love the vids guys,keep me coming.Oh,and just one more thing,I am still patiently waiting for my team marine hat,I'm going to wear that baby on my next spillway fishing trip so I'm hoping it comes with lotsa luck.........

Great video Andy. Can you do a video on Yamaha and the other engines out there?

Quick scan thru comments and I dont see any votes for Merc plant tour!!........My vote is YES...let's go!! ...Enjoyed the vid..

Hahahaha, spittin' the truth, I love it! In all these various industries/professions we all feel like salesman just promoting what we're hawking sometimes, don't we? I'm a pretty straight shooter myself, but sometimes I wonder if I give my opinion a bit too strongly let's say, if too many people would be unhappy about me. I have to make suppliers and manufacturers happy too, in addition to making my best recommendations to the customer...which sometimes conflict with each other. I've sold home audio/Hi-Fi for 20 years now and if I err, it's always in the customer's favor, because that's who I have to look in the eye after their purchase. Sometimes I get a lot of people referencing what some reviewer said, and asking me what I think about that, as if because it was in writing somewhere, then it's like the word of god or something. My response is like "Oh I'm sorry, I thought I was the one who does this 9 hours a day for the last twenty years?!?" Lol. All day, every day. Eat, breathe, and sleep it. There's no replacement for experience like that. Some reviewers, who got the product for a few days to write a review, who may or may not be just starting out at his job and may have never heard anything in its class to compare it too, may just not have the best advice. Most of them are getting either free stuff, or highly discounted stuff so they can keep their test sample and write that in their review. These companies are also spending good money to advertise in their publications, so reviewers have an unsaid obligation to make them happy. Also, I wear mostly flannels and jeans, and I have a big beard (Which at one point was faced with some contention as if this was the 60's and I was on the Police force), screw the clean-shaven suits.

I have a pair of 2008, 200 Opti's. Bought new. Best motor I've owned.

Mercury give Andy a call! We want a plant tour. Prove to use you deserve to be king.

I hadf a Mercury Thunderbolt 500.50HP . 1978, electric start.. it did ran..ish until the gearbox exploded now running Evinrude 70HP.. without the vro lol but.. still running my aux 2HP direct drive Zuki.. every motor got good bad and ugly.. just depends how much bad and ugly you can put up with :)

Mercury , step it up , earn your customers. that is right what a concept . EARN THEM !!!!!!!!

So what did you do to the motor to go from 61 to 72? Prop and motor height?

Let's go Merc 👍

Always used mercury always will

What’s the best name brand 200/250 motor and what yr ? Thanks.

I’m 13 I got a 2010 tracker pro 16. I put on a 30 four stroke merc. Never had a problem with it at all the motor is running awesome but I have to say if I was to get a Phoenix or a bigger bass boat I would be going with Yamaha or zuke. Manly because I heard a lot of bad thing with the newer bigger Mercury’s.

Ive had mine since 2018. Ive only serviced it and put a lower unite on it due to hiting a rock down here on lake okeechobee.

Hi, How is the new mercury 80hp compared to the suzuki df 80??

I commented On A Video Awhile Back About Testing The GAMBLER With Different Props And Motors and Said There Was A Video Coming This Summer. When Is That Video Coming? Cant Wait.

I wish your shop was closer to help me with my 2009 z522 with a mercury 250. I've never seen it higher than 5700 rpm and 55mph and It just seems like it should be faster. I know it's a sled, but it just wont go

Hey Andy! Loved the video! I would like to hear your opinion on the old inline 6 Verado motors since no one talks about them much!

Any thoughts on their 115 and 150 pro xs 4 strokes, which have not changed in a number of years. P.S. the tour would be good.

We need you do the Mercury tour plant! And want you to explain them what engine parts should be improved and why 😊

I’m looking to get the new v6 225hp 4 stroke should I get it ?

What kind of 40 to 30 hp would you recommend?

Mercury start up demonstration was hilarious 🤣

Running a 2021 Merc 250 Pro XS, only gets 5,200 to 5,600 RPM at full throttle, depending on props. No hot foot, so that’s not the issue. Running hydraulic Jackplate so motor height is not the issue. Running the correct props, so that is not the issue. Dealer hooked it up and all diagnostics check out. I am up to about 50 hrs on the motor. It runs great otherwise.

Do a vid on Your top 5 favorite Boats Andy. The older rigs 2005 and under. That would be a cool vid IMO

2023 Mercury 115....hasnt run right since the day I first put it in the water....rough idle, rough through the rpms, misses sputters, shakes the whole boat lol...bring it back to the dealer next week.....got to break it in and thats it smh

I’ve got a 2020 250 pro xs with 200 hours. Zero issues so far, I like the looks and the sound is incredible. I understand your concerns with the common failure points for sure though (shift actuators). The cowling complaints you have are definitely a service tech complaint. For the owner you don’t need to pull it to check the oil, so the only time you need to pull the cowling is during the annual service. A non issue for owners.

What are your thoughts on the add a battery system?

My 2022 225 proxs has been problem free to far!

Do you like a Yamaha Pro V 150?

Andy, make sure you come down to EDP on your Mercury plant tour, I'd love to shake your hand.

the level of respect companies give towards customers these last few years has gotten worse than before. they dont respect you or how hard you work for your money. glad your helping people by letting them know the deal.

I want to see a Mercury Marine tour.