Suzuki 200 Review & LAKE TEST! 2023

I break down the differences between Mercury, Yamaha and Suzuki Outboards. I compare them mechanically and give my honest professional opinion of the Suzuki DF200ATL5 I purchased and bolted to my 25' Playcraft Tri-Toon.
Come with me to the lake for an on the water test, then a test with an extra 1400lbs loaded onto the boat... How will the Suzuki do with all that extra weight?
www.suzukimari...
playcraftboats...

[@apackwestbound5946]

Finally, some valuable actual technical feedback from an individual who works on the units. Thank you!

[@whatszackdoing]

No problem! If you have any questions feel free to ask.

[@carltrano1325]

You had me at Timing chain instead of timing belt

[@whatszackdoing]

Peace of mind!

[@allenellzey5735]

I repowered my 2008 StarCraft Islander in 2020 with this same engine. LOVE the 200! Went from a Mercury 150 2 stroke that got about 1 mpg, to the suzuki 200 and went to 3-6mpg. Super quiet, plenty of power, and easy to maintain. 2 of my buddies got Suzuki as well, a 175 and a 140hp. They are just a solid motor and if I get another boat this will be my first choice of motors.

[@whatszackdoing]

Very nice! Yeah, the Suzuki is a dream of a motor. If you get a chance check out my lifting strakes video! The Suzuki just flies in that one

[@coyotesnper]

Just got a 24' Avalon tritoon with a Suzuki 200. Hope it doesn't disappoint.

[@whatszackdoing]

Oh it won’t! If you have any set up questions give me a shout. I’ve installed and driven a bunch of these 200s. As long as they get scheduled maintenance they treat the owner good!

[@coyotesnper]

@@whatszackdoing I've been around mercs, Evinrude, Honda's, and what was my favorite, 2nd generation Yamaha V4. All were extremely good. All were on bass boats, this is my first party boat. I'm excited to get this one out.

[@whatszackdoing]

@@coyotesnper yeah, those second Gen V4s and V6 Yamahas are good. Sound really good on start up. Now that you have a new Suzuki you are probably ruined on using any other brand motor. They are just excellent

[@jameswatson7218]

Have a Suzuki 250SS what a engine

[@whatszackdoing]

Man I love those. I was on the fence between the 200 and 250ss. Every time I mount the 250ss I love the test drive. So good

[@bayoustateoutdoors9650]

Bought a Suzuki 50 tiller yesterday, replaced a 40 Evinrude Etec

[@whatszackdoing]

Heck yeah. We run a 60 tiller on our shop fishing boat. They are so good. Just a pleasure to run

[@joeythedime1838]

Just found your channel and thank you the great info and insight. I was wondering your thoughts about Mercury, Yamaha and Suzuki for my application. I have a 2016 Boston Whaler 210 Montauk with a 2016 Evinrude E-TEC 200HP HO. I am in Southwest Florida and just can't get any service in my area on the E-TEC. My E-TEC needs about a $4k of work, including a new fuel pump/reservoir. So, I've been thinking about repowering. Thoughts on the Yamaha and Suzuki inline 4 cylinder 200HP compared to the Mercury FourStroke V6 200HP outboard?

[@whatszackdoing]

Honestly the Japanese motors are designed and built better. Suzuki has the best warranty, very powerful and extremely reliable. I work on every brand of boat motor and love the Japanese precision and the Suzuki engine control system under the cowl. The ECM keeps a watchful eye on engine activity and keeps it burning clean and running smooth. One problem is that once you buy a zuki you won’t want anything else

[@fishingismydrug1]

Nice video! No bs, just your opinion from your experience. The downside for Suzuki is lack of (although getting better) certified dealers. Each 55 gallon drum you filled should given approximately 458#’s. 55 gallons x 8.34#’s per gallon. Any thoughts of putting that Suzuki on the four log pontoon ?

[@whatszackdoing]

Thanks man! Yeah, once the dealer network gets there it would help big time! We had thought of trying the new 200 on there… We may just try it eventually! And that weight is dead on. Water (both barrels) about 900, two spare batteries, tool bags, and random gear gets it to right around 1400lbs added give or take 50lbs

[@mjcassville3918]

Great video! In your opinion how different is the df175 vs df200 in performance for your tritoon now that you have the strakes on it? Some say they both are the same but the 200 gain a couple mph top end. Any input?

[@whatszackdoing]

Thanks! The 175 is very impressive. The 150-200 has the same engine block. In the U.S the 175 and 200 have VVT and the 150 rarely does. The 150 is no slouch, but you will notice quite a lot of help on the low end with the VVT on the higher powered engines. And like you said on a tri-toon the 200 has 1-2 mph extra. On a planing hull you would see 3-5 mph more. If I were choosing on a new boat or re-power I would definitely take the 200, but if I was looking at a boat I just loved and it had the 175 I would buy it. You wouldn’t be disappointed

[@mjcassville3918]

I appreciate the info. I agree the 200 sounds like the way to go. Especially after seeing your test videos. On a side note, do you know whether the keyless start system will work on the mechanical 200 with the smg4 gauge? If so have you ever installed one? The main question I have is what all comes with the keyless kit? I see the module, wiring, and 2 fobs. Is the pushbutton start switch and tether extra? No info on the Suzuki site at all. Thanks again for all the good content!

[@jasonvelasquez6673]

Just bought a new Suzuki 115, tech told me to not use flush ports .. only muffs. This is a challenge and PITA when on boat lifts.

[@whatszackdoing]

When flushing salt water or just to run the motor?

[@jasonvelasquez6673]

@@whatszackdoing flushing salt water.

[@whatszackdoing]

@@jasonvelasquez6673 Not sure why he told you that.. You can just hook up to the flush port and let the hose run for 5 min or so. no need to run the motor.

[@jasonvelasquez6673]

@@whatszackdoing cool. His rational is the thermostat does not actvaite while using flush ports. Appreciate the replies. Great vid.

[@fishermansfriend6197]

Hello from Finland! I have 175 APX Suzuki... Very good motor and it has been running 5 years now and 850 hours. I have a question: Can you make a video about checking Valve clearance and adjusted if needed? I think it is maybe too complicated to me without littlebit learning. I have Solas amita 3-e plus 15,3*23 aluminium propeller and it is very good. No need stainless steel prop. My boat is 7,8 * 2,4 M aluminium cc fishing boat and weight 1200 kg. Max speed 5600 rpm / 74 km/h. If 1000 kg more weight in boat i still goes 65 km/h

[@whatszackdoing]

Greetings from Arkansas, US! Thanks so much for the suggestion. It is very nice to have this kind of involvement from viewers, that way I know which direction to go helping folks. I will definitely bump that video up the list. I have been thinking about a video covering this. It is an often overlooked part of routine maintenance and effects and engine’s longevity and performance as well as efficiency. As far as your boat goes with the propping you may want to try a 21 pitch to get the rpms up around 6-6100 with a light load. You may barely run faster with that light load, but you will pick up speed with that extra 1000kg. One nice thing about the Suzuki 175 is it performs well under heavy loads. The 175 and 200 are nearly the same when loaded heavy!

[@fishermansfriend6197]

@@whatszackdoing Thanx for Your answer! Yes, here in Finland many mechanics told to me that it is not necessary to check those valves. But i am not so sure, because i have in the past 50 hp Suzuki and about 1000 hours 2 exhaust valve burnt. It was expensive repair and this kind of bigger motors maybe much expensive than that 50 hp... I have try to find videos or something help from internet and KZbin, but not find single video about this maintenance for the valves. I will try different prop next summer... Now here lakes are frozen and ice is 70 cm thick 😅. Maybe in middle of May i can start season.

[@jjprinsloo4046]

What do u recommend, analog or Fly BW?? Is the latter more $?

[@whatszackdoing]

Fly by wire is magic. Very very cool. Shifts really nice… but will run about 2-3k more for the engine and fancy controls. I’m running cable to save $

[@jjprinsloo4046]

Cool, kinda what I thought..thanks.

[@imadoofus1248]

How does the 200 handle being run wot for long periods? Considering the Suzuki for repower from a yamaha f150.

[@whatszackdoing]

It does very well. They get run hard on deep sea setups all the time. Extremely well built, durable and reliable

[@imadoofus1248]

@whatszackdoing that's awesome to hear! My f150 has around 1200hrs above 5500rpm because the artificial reef is 20 miles from the channel. Definitely looking forward to getting the suzuki. I heard about guys getting 8k hrs from theirs. Thanks for the reply and video. Subscribed!

[@manuelruiz9029]

Zack that pontoon is nice!

[@whatszackdoing]

Thanks man! I’m slowly but surely remodeling it. It’ll have an upper deck some day!

[@whatszackdoing]

Hope you are doing well!

[@tyerbeaudry]

What size tritoon? What was before and after weight speed?

[@whatszackdoing]

24’ playcraft. I don’t know the exact weight of the boat. If you check out the lifting strakes video I did you can get more info on my boat for sure. Before strakes it ran 41, now it runs 44.5mph

[@gtxhunter]

Bought a 2023 200 do they usually shake a lot?

[@whatszackdoing]

Hmmm. May have a fouled spark plug. Generally the Suzuki engines are extremely smooth running

[@stephenm22100]

What pitch prop are you turning? Thanks!

[@whatszackdoing]

In this video I was running the Watergrip 16 diameter, 20 pitch. Once I added my lifting strakes I am running the same prop, just 21.5 pitch.

[@whatszackdoing]

Check out the strakes video to see what it really runs!

[@Camh1968]

Hi. How can I increase torque on this motor?

[@whatszackdoing]

Mostly just through propping. One thing to check though is to make sure it’s rigged properly to get full throttle. With the engine off set the control to full throttle. Remove the cowling and remove the throttle cable’s cotter pin (it’s the upper cable, the lower cable is the shifter) Now lift the cable end and move the throttle lever manually. Is the cable set up to push the throttle all the way open? I see new and used boats rigged incorrectly all of the time. The torque and horsepower can be down 20-30 percent sometimes

[@Camh1968]

@@whatszackdoing many thanks for this reply. I have fly-by-wire on this motor. So, do your suggestions still apply? If not, is there anything related to fly-by-wire than can be checked for similar settings? Cameron

[@whatszackdoing]

@@Camh1968 Nice to have the SPC! The cable adjustment suggestion doesn’t apply, but a Suzuki shop can make sure your control is calibrated all the way and check throttle position via their computer. What kind of boat is your motor on? Did it come rigged from the factory or is it a repower?

[@Camh1968]

@@whatszackdoing thank you. Purchased brand new per order in July last year as a complete hull/motor supply. No re-power. The hull is an aluminium plate fishing boat cuddy offshore. So, when I ask the Suzuki dealer workshop to check/adjust via computer, is there a way to check it has been done? I just want to satisfy myself I have optimal performance utilised and not just relying on the dealer’s word…

[@halohalo2498]

He is suzuki mechanic you see how he is dress.. they must don't break down cause he is clean ...

[@whatszackdoing]

I’ve actually had a few folks tell me to get rid of the floral shirt lol

[@robertsigler4741]

I just bought a Suzuki 200 putting it on a tritoon what pitch prop should I go with the boat is a lowe 230ss

[@whatszackdoing]

Does it have lifting strakes?

[@whatszackdoing]

I would suggest the Watergrip stainless 16x20pitch.

[@whatszackdoing]

Part number 990C0-00810-20P

[@stevetipene3319]

WTF....why are you adding music over the video when the engine is running

[@whatszackdoing]

Yeah, probably a bad call

[@robbiebrindleyphotography]

Make it do a jump

[@whatszackdoing]

Lake ramp!

[@cassidycash8805]

*Promo SM*

[@whatszackdoing]

SM?

[@charlesyespearson4670]

Horrible motor for a Bass boat. Don't buy it don't get it.

[@whatszackdoing]

DF200ss has the better gear ratio for a bass boat.

[@chuckfinley3152]

Not a 2stroke, don’t care

[@Honda1k]

So I recently repowered from a Mercury 2.5 200 to a Suzuki df200ap. It was a hard decision I debated it for 3 years but it was the best decision I made only lost 4mph on the top end the picked up a few mph cruising speed holeshot probably a little bit better with the Suzuki fuel economy doubled and not to mention the smoothness no vibrations no rattling no shaking at idle. Love it

[@whatszackdoing]

What type of boat is it on? Sometimes set up makes all the difference with top end! May want to play with the installed height and such. But I know what you mean about switching to the zuki. It’s a damn fine motor. So smooth, so efficient, and very reliable. If you check out the lifting strakes video I did the motor really shines. Big heavy tritoon of mine running 44.5mph

[@whatszackdoing]

Lol

[@Honda1k]

@@whatszackdoing mine is on a center console 22ft

[@whatszackdoing]

@@Honda1k love a center console! If I ever buy a fishing boat it will a center console. I have rigged the df200 and df250ss to quite a few striper guide boats. So nice to drive