My 208 With the New F200 I4- Performance # and Pics

[Biscayne208]

Hey guys I repowered my 1993 208 with the new Yamaha F200 I4. it has been great so far and here are the preliminary performance numbers. I had a chance to break it in last night and went for a couple of short blasts after the 2.5 hr mark. These are the preliminary results:

Conditions were as follows:

10 mph winds moderate chop in the bay
Full enclosures up
Full tank of gas (82 gallons)
Bottom Paint
3 people in the boat 650 lbs
Yamaha SDS Reliance Prop 14 1/4" x 17P

1600 RPM 8 MPH 5.4 MPG
3500 RPM 23 MPH 3.6 MPG
4000 RPM 30 MPH 3.6 MPG
4400 RPM 32-33 MPH 3.7 MPG
5700 RPM 43.6 MPH 2.2 MPG

I was very pleasantly surprised with the performance. I gained 6.5 MPH top speed and went from a 2.2 mpg cruise with my carb 150 at 32 mph to 3.7 MPG with the F200. In addition the weight of the motor is absolutely negligible with my old motor. The boat sits at the EXACT same level as it did before.

I will post more performance numbers as I am able to play around with it more. Keep in mind I was breaking her in and didnt want to dog it too much. I am confident I will see 44-45 top speed when i have a chance to spend more time at WOT. I only ran WOT for about 30 seconds for this test.

I also have running and shifting videos. Yamaha SDS is awesome!

 

[Average Joe]

Thanks for sharing, looks like it's a great fit for the 208. Something for me to consider in the future.

 

[BobP]

Glad to hear it. Nothing better than money well spent !

And I've always said:

new motors = new boat

 

[BobP]

I forgot, mechanical controls or electronic controls did you choose?

 

[Biscayne208]

Mechanical Controls. The electronic doesnt come out until May and I also wanted mechanical. I trust them more dont know why

 

[ocnslr]

Thanks for sharing, looks like it's a great fit for the 208. Something for me to consider in the future.

Just get a bigger boat, Joe.

 

[CatTwentyTwo]

Thanks for sharing the pictures and your observations, it's good to hear the boat still sits the same. Do you know how much your new motor weighs? I hope not to have to repower in the near future but the extra weight has always been a concern for when the time comes. My 94 175 only weighs 375 pounds and I think all the new motors are quite a bit more.

 

[Grady_Crazy]

487 lbs (L shaft = 20") 489 lbs (X shaft=25")

 

[CatTwentyTwo]

Thanks Grady_.

 

[altouchet]

That is fantastic news! I think this new F200 I4 is perfect for the 208!
I have a 2007 208 with an F250. It's a great engine but I do think it's just too much weight on the stern.
My scuppers are just above the waterline, but if you load the boat down with people, they will back wash. 4 people aboard is no problem unless big folks sit in the stern seats. I've had 6 aboard for cruising and I usually ask 1 or 2 people to sit up front since I have the bow cushions.
I can't help think that the boat will perform on it's lines better with a lighter load at the stern.
Wonder what my F250 with 400 hours is worth on trade???

 

[Kai Lover]

I had. 204c with the "old" F200. Those are similar performance #s. I saw that motor at Miami boat show. AMazingly smaller than the v6. I would love to have two of them on my 27 Islander.

Nice motor!

 

[SC Adventure 208]

Thanks for your post. The power on my 1995 208 Adventure just died and it's in the shop considering repower. Your boat looks a lot cleaner than mine which I bought used about 3 years ago. Had a Yamaha 225 Salt Water Series 2 stroke along with a 9.9 hp Yamaha 4 stroke kicker on an electronic tilt/trim. My Grady dealer recommended the new Yamaha 200 inline 4 stroke so your report is very promising. My gauges are still good so will I be able to use the old ones? What is the gauge you have showing performance data? Can't say I have one of those? Was that the only prop you were offered or did they give you a range of them? Not sure the difference between mechanical and electronic controls. You said yours were mechanical but they look electronic.

Any other advice on getting the boat looking so pretty?

Thanks
[album]545[/album]

 

[BobP]

The new Yamaha 4 stroke 200 is an in line 4 cylinder motor, has only one head.
Yamaha 4 stroke F200/225/250 and big block 4 stroke 225/250/300 are all V6 motors.

The F150 is same as new 200, an inline 4. Suzie is the other 4 stroke I4 with a 150/175 on same block.

I think Mercury does the Verado 200 as an inline 6 cylinder motor.

The new I4 200 is similar weight as conventional and modern two stroker V6s, as all were/are V6s incl 150s, 175s, 200, 225s, 250s, 300s.

The I4 200 is similar enough in weight vs. the 200 HPDIs or 200 OX66 not to matter.

The I4 200 should also be a cost savings since it looses about 100 lbs or so of machinery vs. any V6 4 stroker. Not withstanding deals that can be found on the V6 F200, and the I4 200 is a new product release.

 

[Action_Jackson]

Those are some great numbers, looks like a great setup for you boat. Enjoy.

 

[tomolalla]

Thanks for the great post, I've been wondering about that new Yami and considering buying one. I'm curious about your numbers. It seems like the lower number at 1600 RPMs wouldn't get as good a MPG (I think you reported over 5 MPG) as once you hit planing speed. I'm hoping it actually gets that good of low speed mileage since I plan on trolling for tuna around 5-8 MPH. Do you think that 1600 RPM MPG is accurate? Later

 

[Biscayne208]

Yes it is accurate. I burn about 1.2-1.3 GPH at 1600 RPM Trolling Speed. Just to give you an idea I just went over to Bimini, Bahamas this past weekend with alot of people and ALOT of gear and averaged 3.11 MPG. I ran over 210 miles and burned 70.2 gallons of fuel. My numbers are consistent with Grady Whites Perf report on the 208 with F200XB also.... See below

RPM MPH GPH MPG
1500 6.7 1.3 5.36

 

[tomolalla]

That is great to hear. I have 1997 Johnson 175 2-stroke and will expect the same improvement in mileage. By the way, until Yamaha came out with this lighter 4 stroke I was seriously considering the ETech 200 and almost bought one. Did you consider the ETech and what steered you to the Yamaha?

Anyone else have an opinion regarding ETech vs. Yamaha 200?

 

[Biscayne208]

Etec is definitely cheaper. I however prefer Yamaha due to having excellent luck with them my whole life. The motor i replaced was a 20 year old Yamaha. I had owned it for 3 years using it 3 times a week, and i didnt spend a single dollar on repairs. I sold it for a good amount of money with 130 psi in all 6 cylinders. I cant say the same for evinrude in my personal experience. Also I wanted to get away from 2 stroke technology. It is clear that 4 stroke is the way of the future.

Something else to consider is resale value. Grady White and Yamaha are synonimous. I have noticed that there are very few Gradys with non Yamaha power and they command much less at resale than a Yamaha powered Grady. PLease note I am not bashing Evinrudes I am just stating my personal thought and reasons for going Yamaha 4 stroke.