We are almost ready to buy a new Proline 23 Sports. Need help deciding
which engine to purchase. We are looking for quality and reliability.
The mercury verado 225 or the Honda 225 ?
Thanks in advanced for your input...

wrote:
We are almost ready to buy a new Proline 23 Sports. Need help deciding
which engine to purchase. We are looking for quality and reliability.
The mercury verado 225 or the Honda 225 ?
Thanks in advanced for your input...

It is my understanding, altho not substantiated by actually owning one,
that the Mercury Verado engines require premium unleaded in order to
achieve HP printed on the side.

Is this truth or another case for the MythBusters to investigate?

On Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:16:45 -0700, wrote:

We are almost ready to buy a new Proline 23 Sports. Need help deciding
which engine to purchase. We are looking for quality and reliability.
The mercury verado 225 or the Honda 225 ?
Thanks in advanced for your input...

The Verado is a good engine and plenty of oomph, but it's a major gas
hog. I've tested several boats with the Verado and that's the one
issue that bothers me - it does drink some gas.

The Honda is a good engine, but service is spotty and if you develop a
problem with the engine, fixing it or repairs can be problematic. This
is based on observation by the way, not on actual experience - I've
seen Hondas hang around a service shop waiting for parts or for
somebody to actually get in touch with Honda reps to find the problem.
Honda's attitude seems to be our engines are perfect, therefore they
don't need repair. That attitude may have changed in the past two
years though so take it for what it's worth. Gas milage is ok for a
Honda - comparable to other four strokes of it's class and type.

In either case, both engines will push that boat along quite nicely.

If you can, you might want to consider going with two stroke ETEC at
the same HP. Better performance, incredible gas milage, minimal oil
usage and you can put the hammer down right out of the box. Good for
300 hours before first service, self winterizing and clean burning.

Just a thought. :)