Mercury 400R for Cat applications
02-24-2015 | 08:13 AM
#53
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From: At the office.
I'll be shocked if these new 400's aren't modded within a year or two. If the ECU isn't cracked, someone will add a piggyback or come up with a replacement ECU if there's enough demand (or desire in the case of racers 
).
This 400 4 stroke doesn't make any sense on a 28 Skater, but I do think it makes a lot more sense with something like the new proposed 34 MTI. A 34 could make great use of this OB. IMO, that package will blur the line between the OB and IO cats... in speed, size, performance, etc, and do so at an attractive price point.
). This 400 4 stroke doesn't make any sense on a 28 Skater, but I do think it makes a lot more sense with something like the new proposed 34 MTI. A 34 could make great use of this OB. IMO, that package will blur the line between the OB and IO cats... in speed, size, performance, etc, and do so at an attractive price point.
02-24-2015 | 08:14 AM
#54
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From: At the office.
David,
While I give you all the credit in the world for your 36 OB project, I just don't see that hull as ever being a great fit for OB's. A single 400 per side wont be enough and two will not fit well (and might be too much weight sitting that far back). If I were you I would convert that beautiful boat back to a proven IO and enjoy the hell out of the better performing package, but again I certainly appreciate all your hard work and determination to see this OB thing through.
While I give you all the credit in the world for your 36 OB project, I just don't see that hull as ever being a great fit for OB's. A single 400 per side wont be enough and two will not fit well (and might be too much weight sitting that far back). If I were you I would convert that beautiful boat back to a proven IO and enjoy the hell out of the better performing package, but again I certainly appreciate all your hard work and determination to see this OB thing through.
02-24-2015 | 09:31 PM
#55
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: OHIO
David,
While I give you all the credit in the world for your 36 OB project, I just don't see that hull as ever being a great fit for OB's. A single 400 per side wont be enough and two will not fit well (and might be too much weight sitting that far back). If I were you I would convert that beautiful boat back to a proven IO and enjoy the hell out of the better performing package, but again I certainly appreciate all your hard work and determination to see this OB thing through.
While I give you all the credit in the world for your 36 OB project, I just don't see that hull as ever being a great fit for OB's. A single 400 per side wont be enough and two will not fit well (and might be too much weight sitting that far back). If I were you I would convert that beautiful boat back to a proven IO and enjoy the hell out of the better performing package, but again I certainly appreciate all your hard work and determination to see this OB thing through.
I just cant imagine doing that at this time though.
Food for thought down the road
Has anyone attempted converting an outboard cat to inboards?
What are we looking at to do it with my 36.
Is it feasable?
Last edited by davidmercury; 02-24-2015 at 09:52 PM.
02-25-2015 | 07:08 AM
#56
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,555
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From: Columbia S.C.
You make some good points. I know my 36 was an OB boat from the beginning.(has 17 inch notched transom). Ive never looked into what would be involved to turn it into an inboard. Sounds like alot of work and money but possibly big payoff in handling and performance.
I just cant imagine doing that at this time though.
Food for thought down the road
Has anyone attempted converting an outboard cat to inboards?
What are we looking at to do it with my 36.
Is it feasable?
I just cant imagine doing that at this time though.
Food for thought down the road
Has anyone attempted converting an outboard cat to inboards?
What are we looking at to do it with my 36.
Is it feasable?
02-25-2015 | 12:15 PM
#58
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From: At the office.
Hi David,
As stated you'd likely be money ahead to sell yours and repurchase an I/O already completed. With that said, you have a lot of money and time into redoing yours. Your hull is now solid as a rock (would the next one be?) and you have some beautiful custom paint done to your liking.
I've never looked at your boat close enough to see exactly what would be involved with converting it, but I can say with a lot of certainty that there's a reason you don't see other OB 36's. I honestly think you're fighting an uphill battle on this one... Yes it can be made to work/run, but it will never run with an I/O and I suspect resale will be pretty limited as well as an OB. If it were me, I'd cut my loses, or convert it and be far happier in the end.
Just my 2 cents (not meant to be derogatory in any way).
As stated you'd likely be money ahead to sell yours and repurchase an I/O already completed. With that said, you have a lot of money and time into redoing yours. Your hull is now solid as a rock (would the next one be?) and you have some beautiful custom paint done to your liking.
I've never looked at your boat close enough to see exactly what would be involved with converting it, but I can say with a lot of certainty that there's a reason you don't see other OB 36's. I honestly think you're fighting an uphill battle on this one... Yes it can be made to work/run, but it will never run with an I/O and I suspect resale will be pretty limited as well as an OB. If it were me, I'd cut my loses, or convert it and be far happier in the end.
Just my 2 cents (not meant to be derogatory in any way).
02-25-2015 | 01:14 PM
#59
Racer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,166
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From: Bradenton, Florida, USA
I don't think I've ever heard David say he was unhappy? Nor have I heard him say he was losing on this boat. If we were all cutting our loses, we wouldn't be doing this at all, would we? His boat has always been an outboard 36' and YES there has been a few others too. Outboards aren't for everyone and obviously David is a passionate, outboard guy, through and trough. I am pretty sure he'll see this project through and I would bet when the set up is complete it will run 125 plus on only 1120 HP which is much faster than an IO will run on the same HP. (Sorry but your posted WAS derogatory in some ways, and as an OB guy , I had to put my 2 cents in)
02-25-2015 | 03:05 PM
#60
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I don't think I've ever heard David say he was unhappy? Nor have I heard him say he was losing on this boat. If we were all cutting our loses, we wouldn't be doing this at all, would we? His boat has always been an outboard 36' and YES there has been a few others too. Outboards aren't for everyone and obviously David is a passionate, outboard guy, through and trough. I am pretty sure he'll see this project through and I would bet when the set up is complete it will run 125 plus on only 1120 HP which is much faster than an IO will run on the same HP. (Sorry but your posted WAS derogatory in some ways, and as an OB guy , I had to put my 2 cents in)
I visited the other side breifly it was dark for me. It a different world which has different risk aka speed and cost of ownership which are significantly more when associated with inboard power than the outboard versions. I was very happy to step back into and not down to an outboard Skater. They are fun typically reliable best bang for the buck and although you certainly can hurt yourself in one its not like we are screaming around at 130-170+ like some of the inboard guys
David's boat is awesome it would just be a lot more awesome with quad 400Rs!
