Well... I finally hit 1000 hours. It took only 4 years. Regular fluid and filter changes and running it pretty hard at times. It has never been to the shop for any engine adjustments or problems. Fires right up every time I crank it and purrs like a kitten. Can’t say it sips the fuel but certainly isn’t a guzzler. I’m starting to slow down so don’t see getting to the next 1000. It is a 2016 model I bought with 80 hours on it.

I sure wish John Deere made outboard motors cause this diesel motor in my tractor is as solid as the day I bought it. Hell the entire tractor was only$15K. Is sure is a far cry from crossing fingers hoping to blow a $20K outboard motor with 280 hrs and be under warranty, or sell it as soon as it expires cause you know it’s coming. When discussing the cost of bass boats, make sure a rebuild is in the calculation.

It seems the bass boat is the only consumer engine that as a rule of thumb will have expensive major repair in the first 5yrs or 300hrs that cost the price of a small brand new car, and while they grumble about it, just suck it up and pay. Don’t know what the options are but maybe figure out a way to buy a 10 yr warranty would be a good start.

So true about outboards. Designed to fail.

Wow, that's a lot of hours in 4 years. You must live on the lake. I hope it runs forever, but it's really sad when you buy a brand new outboard, one of the first things that you think of is when she will blow. Not if, but when.

Totally agree, I hit 1,000 hours on my Kawasaki mule the other weekend, and other than having the drive belt replaced twice and mice chewing wires up one time, never been in the shop. 110 hours on Merc 4S and has had $8,000 of work done to it already (under warranty of course), and also been in the shop for a recall. Sure the speed that parts are moving is part of the difference, but dang.

Well, I think you can buy a 8 year warranty on a Mercury. I had a 5 year and they sent me a letter to extend it for 3 more years for $3900 (Platinum).

Outside of diesels, I don't know many people who have gasoline engines that last more than 10 years without some pretty major repairs.

While the OPs point is valid I highly doubt you run your tractor at 3/4 or full throttle very often mainly because the diesel can produce loads of torque at low RPMs.

Everyone wants to drive their fishing boat at top speed between their honey holes.

Another thought....consider the life of a NASCAR engine. One race and it's done....and that's with the best mechanics money can buy.

Call me lucky or whatever but I'm currently running a 25 year old Merc 175 EFI that conservatively has 1500+ hours and other than one switch box and a set of voltage regulators that I replaced myself has been absolutely flawless. Had a compression check and leak down test done last fall and the numbers were still at factory spec. Basic maintenance, pre-mix my oil (Walmart/Penzoil/Quicksilver/whatever's on sale). Seldom turn it over 4500, usually keep it around 4000 rpm. Ran a 150 Merc nearly 20 years and countless hours with zero issues. Same maintenance, same operating parameters, sold it a few years back and as far as I know it's still going strong. In between these V6 Mercs there's been numerous smaller Mercury, Mariner and OMC engines that with the exception of one lower unit (hardwood stump), provided countless hours of trouble free service. Saying all this to say that IMHO, the biggest killer of outboard engines is the constant WFO operation I see folks running these engines. Regardless of what anyone says, these engines are not designed for and will not survive being constantly run at or close to red line RPM.

95 champion with the original 95 merc 200 xri/efi here and still running super strong, outboard longevity is all about upkeep and maintenance, do it and you can go 1000 easy 99.9% of the time, don't do it and expect a major repair or rebuild. jmo

Wow I don't think I have ever had a boat with more than 300 hours on it, average about 50 -75 hours a year, usually trade in every other year. I do have a buddy who has over 900 on his Mercury, he keeps telling me he needs to get a new engine so he has warranty, I told him hell just run it til it quits at this point, doubt there would be a lot of buyers interested in his engine.

Its almost like you enjoy being out on that thing. Maybe youll take a break from it one day and show me around Fork.