New DF 200

[Bear Cove]

Hey Fellas,

So I need to repower my 1996 272 Grady Sailfish this winter. I have twin 2006 DF 200's on it now, they have been amazing engines that will have about 4000 hours on them come the end of the charter season. They have done their job and time to retire them.

These engines push the boat fantastically, cruise speed around 30 knots, 4000 RPM, great set up.

What I am wondering is if the newer 4 cylinder 200's will produce the same on this boat? I have done a pile of reading up on them but really looking for some first hand advice from guys out there that may have made the switch.

Will these engines produce like the 6 cylinders do? Obviously the HP is the same but only being 4 cylinders will I have to run these motors at higher RPM?

Look forward to hearing what any of you might have to say.

Cheers

[Bear Cove]

Bump!

Anyone out there that has replaced older 200's with newer 200's on the same boat?

[Rick M]

Good Morning,
I purchased a new Blue Wave 22 foot Center console in 2019 and it had the DF 200 A engine on it . It performed "nice" but I was underwhelmed with holeshot and top end speed. The gear ratio in the lower unit is very low on that engine so it can achieve the 200 hp rating. Therefore no matter how I propped it my top end suffered because of the ratio. I repowered with a DF 250 SS which is a v-6 and has a higher gear ratio and the difference in power is huge. The 4 cylinder is more modern in some ways but I like the torque the v-6 provides a lot more. And yes they will run at a higher rpm to match the speed you are getting.
Rick M

[Bear Cove]

Rick,

Thanks for taking the time to respond, much appreciated. This is my concern with the 200's and have read about them having to be run at higher RPM in order to maintain prior cruise speed. I do not want to put a set on that I ave to run harder to achieve past performance of the older 200's

Cheers