Older verado reliability

[seametre]

Im currently in the early stages of considering a move to something like a haines 680 encore, cruisecraft 685 or whittley 7.3.
My budget is around the 60-70k mark and quiet a few of the boats online are fitted with 2006-ish mercury verados that are all around the 250hp mark.

Assuming proper maintenance, are these motors something to be avoided or are they ok?
I know there is always a risk, but im really juat trying to work out if the verados are better or worst than anything else?
Around 500-600hrs seems to be the norm.

I guess if I paid 65k i would be hoping to get 2-3 good years out of the motor before swapping it for a new 250 of some kind. Does this sound realistic?

[gazza2006au]

From my understanding the Verados were sold in Australia as supercharged and non supercharged, i have one of the non supercharged models they varied from 75,90,115hp 4 cylinders i could be wrong but i think those engines were supercharged into a bigger hp from what i can see on the youtube video there supercharged powerhead looks exactly the same size as my 90hp and 115hp powerhead's

from research that i have done over the past 9 months suggest they have faulty fuel injectors they tend to leak and be a problem of hard starting often hydro locking the engine while its off causing no damage

they varied i think they started in 2007 thru to 2011 on the smaller non supercharged models

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDD6M_Bu7kw

[scottar]

No personal experience - only guy I know had a trouble free run when he had one. Couple of what seem pretty good write ups via a google search (one in particular) on some common issues.

[Dirtyfuzz]

Mate has a 175 on a trophy around that age and has been trouble free, only thing he complains about is that the boat is underpowered and has to get a new max hp plate to get the 250 that he wants!


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[Noelm]

They seem to be OK, Verado is supercharged only, there is no "standard" Verado (that I am aware of) I fished with a mate for a long time with a pair of them on a big cat and they went OK, no drama that I know of.

[gazza2006au]

Noel the 75/90/115 is the un supercharged model heres that video and a picture of my powerhead side by side for comparison

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDD6M_Bu7kw

[rhodesey]

I have a 250 Verado on my 7.5 meter boat and have had great run with it. It has 1200 hours on it now. It is a series one unit 2006 build. Only weak part on it was the gearbox which is now replaced with the heavy duty one. They are not bad at cruise between 4000 rpm and 5000 rpm for fuel. But they love love a drink at full power. Best power steering out there on these outboards.

[Monza]

Have a 2006 250hp Verado since I bought a boat 2nd hand in 2012. Currently has around 1000 hours. Been a reliable performer with no problems except a steering cylinder leak. Previous owner had to replace the supercharger due to a known problem with bearings on some of the early models. 2008 series 2 models onwards fixed this issue I heard and a few other issues. Also, I believe Mercury abandoned their Euro spec pollution rating and 2010/2011? models onwards delivered better fuel economy.
If I was buying I’d be trying to find a 2011 model or newer but none the less it’s been a great engine - smooth, quiet, reliable and effortless with drive by wire throttles and power steering.