Re: 1978 mariner 115 inline 6
willy, that 115 weighs just about the same as that 75.<br /><br />i have a 1978 mariner 115 myself. its got GOBS AND GOBS of torque and lots of power through out the entire rpm range, but your gas milage will suffer badly.<br /><br />i had a merc 115 inline 6 and i had it on a 17 foot center console and got about 1.5 to 2 mpg.<br /><br />i switched to a 1990 90hp merc three cylinder, wich is almost exactly the same as your 75, and my milage went up to 5 mpg if i kept it at 3/4 throttle, where the 115 inline gave me 2.<br /><br />the old inlines are gas guzzlers, they are famous for that. i aint trying to talk you outa the inline, cause i have 4 of them myself, but boy, i sure do miss my 90hp 3 cylinder. i sold it to buy my latest inline, and ive kicked myself ever since.<br /><br />id keep the 75, wich is a GREAT GREAT motor. spend that 650$ on some smart tabs and a manual jack plate. i betcha your boat would be EVEN better that way, and youd end up getting sooo much better MPG that it would all pay for itself in fuel savings. besides, i honestly couldnt tell a difference in speed between the inline 6 115 and my 90hp triple. seriously. id take the 90 any day!<br /><br />and as for water sports, those smart tabs will help you plane faster at lower hull speeds, and get up and go quicker, as would the manual jack plate, with the extended setback, youd kick major AZZ!!!<br /><br />and that , folks, is my two cents !
