THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY! MERCURY (2022) 

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Where are all y'all Mercury die hards at?

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.

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.

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.

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.

Great video Andy

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

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

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.

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

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.

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 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 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'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 👏

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

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.

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

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 !! 😎

Always used mercury always will

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.

best words Andy ever said " I Care" Amen

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.

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

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.

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

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

Let's go Merc 👍

Hilarious about the sound of the new Merc 4 strokes!

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.

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

Mercury start up demonstration was hilarious 🤣

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.

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

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

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.

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 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

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.

The mercs just perform so well.

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

Merc optimax 115hp best damn engine I’ve ever owned i used to take it out on 30degree days never a problem the entire time 16 yrs and i fish once a week but im old now and dont do that 30 degree shit anymore😊

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!

Thanks Andy have a great 4th uncle Mark

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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!!!

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.

I've been a blue-collar, union pulpmill worker for 36 yrs. The best engineering done for equipment was done when an engineer would talk to the employees. My kid went to college for a mechanical engineering degree. I told him the best advice I could give him was to talk to the people who work on the damn things. Then, figure out what to do .

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

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

Keep it coming! Great show!

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 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 :)

Yes on Merc meeting/tour

may not respond but how are the 2019 pro xs 4 strokes

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.

Do you like a Yamaha Pro V 150?

I have a 2019 nitro zv19 with a 225 pro xs hitting 49-mph took it to 2 dealerships and said the 19p prop is the only one they recommend running. I feel like this is crap! I had a 1989 Lund provee 1700 with a 100hp mariner that would hit 42! I have a 78k boat that’s getting eaten alive by most other boats! HELP!!!!!!

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

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.

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

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

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

?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

I love them ol tower of powers

Your honesty is awesome 👏

2 stroke gonna make a comeback after the EPA ruling 😝!!!

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.

Over under basscat jaguar with 400 racing merc… aaaaannnndddd GO!

90% made in America, The quality control is Good there, every component is leak tested and every motor is tested by automated testers if it fails an actual running test, it's sent to repair and won't leave the finial line until it passes a test.

I want to see the Mercury Plant

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.

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

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

How.about a comment on the 2022 Yamaha 200 SHO after market reflash, turning a 200 into a 250 or 300hp beast. Apparently the 200, 250, and 300hp SHO’s are the exact same motor. The only difference is engine mapping. Why not sell a factory reflash! Or comment on the best available reflash! Love your show! Thanks, Mikey from Canada!

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.

1 performance 2 price 3 reliability 4 sound 5 style

had a tin head motor, wiring caught on fire and damn near burned down the entire boat.

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!

What are your thoughts on the add a battery system?

The only difference between a 350 Verado 400 and 400 racer is the ECU program.

I have a mercury 2022 200 v8 pro xs and that damn thing can eat crap. That trim limiter sucks. Took it in to have it calibrated to get more trim but no it's not performing like it should with trim angle. Sux on my vexus avx 2080. I need 5 degree more trim. I think my dealer just told me what I wanted hear, 500.00 dollars later include lube etc. I don't think they programed my trim a little more. What do you think I should do. 5 degree wedges. I wanna bring it to ya. I'm 2 hours away. I'm calling you today Andy 5-19-2023. I wanna talk to you about this. I trust ya on this. I watch your utube constantly. Thanks for your vidoes. Means alot

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

He'll yes please do.

local guys are having lots of issues with the "new" v6 and v8 outboards

I’m gonna go there….good, bad, and ugly: future of the outboard service/mechanic/ setup market? Where is the new talent coming from, how are they educated, and are they any good….help hard to find!!!???? I’m blessed to have a great mechanic much younger than I so he will out live me and my mechanic needs unless he folds due to lack employees.