"best" outboard V6 engine ?

[Kris de buyser]

following the recommandations of other members of this site,
I am considering to buy V6 engines instead of the two Suzuki 4 cil 175 hp for a protector 28 cabin (approx 3000 kg, 8.5m)

What V6 engine would be the best choice ? Manufacturer, type, hp ?
Speed is less important, reliability and fuel consumption is.

[Chris]

2 stroke or 4 stroke?
What can you get where you are located?
What dealer support do you have?
What sort of usage (high speed, trolling etc)

Those woud be the criteria that would drive my decision. I am a confirmed E-tec Anorak however so if you were to ask me then any of the V6 E-tec big block engines would be perfect for you

[Kris de buyser]

I prefer 4 stroke
Usage ; cruising, fishing
Available in Belgium ; suzuki, honda, yamaha (mercury outboard less common)

[Bigmuz7]

Get a straight six Verado ... bout 275 / 300 ..Cracking motor.. the rest are still playing catchup IMO Fly by wire controls, and instant power !

[Mollers]

I'd probably go for a pair of Suzuki DF 250's for such an application. The DF's will probably pip same size Verados for fuel economy, they are very quiet at low revs with excellent torque. The Suzukis would probably come in a little cheaper than the Verados also.

It was down to a DF or an Etec for my boat, I choose the Etec as I considered it more suitable for a lighter, single engine rig.

[Kris de buyser]

I did hear that de mercury verados are good engines,
but have a very high fuel consomption.

Is that correct ?

[Tony]

Originally Posted by Kris de buyser

I did hear that de mercury verados are good engines,
but have a very high fuel consomption.

Is that correct ?

nope..

[Mollers]

Originally Posted by Tony

nope..

based on what?

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by Kris de buyser

I did hear that de mercury verados are good engines,
but have a very high fuel consomption.

Is that correct ?

I wouldnt say it was that bad,.. But if you hammer it, just like all the others, it wont be good. The 200,225,250,275 all share the same block IIRC so the power comes from remapping the ecu for the fuelling and the supercharger. The right prop will help keep consumption down too because of the way the Verado should be set on the transom which is a lot higher than other outboards, ofcourse this follows for any outboard, but moreso the Verado

Oh and when you get it running .. go to the bow, and you'll forget youve turned it on, its so quiet

But in use.. it was the fly by wire controls and instant thrust off the thing, that Ive never experienced with any other outboard, that made me like it a lot

[Seymour Bay]

I run a Suzuki 250 on a 7.4 m Redbay Cabin Rib (2000kg or so of boat). It uses 1.13litres/mile, at approx. 26-27k cruise and some full throttle work; I could get 1.0litres/mile if I went a little easier.
Petrol installations for a boat of this size is going to be expensive to run no matter what you install.
If it was me I’d go single diesel Yam 315 with the hydra drive model number ME432.
Redbay fit these to their big ribs and they go like rockets!!!!!!!!!!!
If your woried about the cost of fuel do not fit petrol on a 3 t boat,,,,

Happy Boating

SB