BostonOutrageNL wrote:Is [electronic shift and throttle] the same as Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS) control?
I assume that "DTS" is just the designation that Mercury uses for electronic shift and throttle. The "digital" adjective is probably used by Mercury to make it sound fancier.
BostonOutrageNL wrote:is [DTS] not also available on the other [Mercury] engines?
I really have not studied the latest models of the Mercury engines. When in 2004 Mercury introduced their VERADO engine line, those engines were designed to ONLY use electronic shift and throttle remote controls, so I assume that in 2024 if an engine is designated as a VERADO that would continue to imply the engine uses electronic shift and throttle.
You probably need to study the Mercury engine literature to see if any other models in their current line can also be configured to have electronic shift and throttle. As I mentioned, I think electronic shift and throttle is a very nice feature.
ASIDE: you should also be very demanding on price. Here in the USA the Mercury division of Brunswick which is primarily located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin has been announcing very big lay-offs of their manufacturing employees. In June 2024 Mercury announced that 300 employees were on permanent lay-off. Now
in August 2024 Mercury announced that 1,700 employees would be on a temporary lay-off through January 2025. This is a very significant reduction in the workforce at the Mercury outboard engine plant. The USA is the primary market for Mercury, more-so than overseas markets like Europe. Shedding 2,000-workers--even if just for four months--represents a very big cut back on production of new outboard engines. This may be a good time to buy and get a better price.
The reason that Mercury has been affected by what they describe as "soft demand" is because the great majority of Mercury outboard engines are sold on the transom of new boats where there is a mandatory tie-in sale of the Mercury outboard engine with the new boat. The sale of new boats was booming during the COVID-19 years, but apparently now, with other choices of leisure activities available, the sale of new boats has slowed, so the sale of new Mercury outboard engines has correspondingly slowed. Because of those factors, you may be able to negotiate a better price on a Mercury outboard engine that is not bundled with a new boat.
Another consideration: the dealer from whom you will buy the new Mercury outboard engine should be experienced in the installation of the engine on an older boat. Many dealers who sell Mercury engines will usually only be selling an engine that is already installed and rigged on a new boat by the boat builder. Inquire with the selling dealer to be sure they know how to actually install and rig a loose engine on an older boat.
You should also take a very close look at the fuel system on the boat. Many elements of the fuel system could be 34-years-old, and perhaps some refitting would be appropriate. Problems with fuel supply can quickly cause harm to an engine, and with your re-power you are going to be increasing the rate of fuel flow by about double. Look at new fuel hoses, new filters, and careful inspection of the fuel tank pick-up and hoses.
The electrical system may also need some renovation, particularly if you get the V8 engine. Cranking a 250-HP V8 will be more demanding on the battery than cranking a 60-HP engine.
