This question is inevitable this time of year! Many folks looking at this boat have the same concern. Here's my take on it:
F150 will provide enough power for typical use with average loads. It will not turn the boat into a tournament monster or impress your friends with its hole shot. It gets fabulous fuel mileage and is very reliable, quiet, and easy to work on (regular maintenance). I like its narrow profile. It will plane the boat with a half tank of fuel, three persons at around 13-15 mph, but you will need to use tabs for greatest efficiency. Cruise is around 4200 - 4500 rpm @ 28 mph, WOT is 5700 rpm @ 38-39 mph, 13-3/4 X 17 Black Steel OR 15-1/4 X 15 Black Steel, calm seas, normal load. Heavier loads will diminish performance (Duh!) but can still be accomodated. Fuel consumption is approx. 0.6 gals per hour trolling, 6-7 gph cruising, around 9 gph WOT. (BTW, please save me the lecture about running a prop that's too large for the motor, I've heard it too many times. There is no difference in rpm stats between the two sizes listed, and the service manual lists both as recommended)
There have been a few times in the past three years when I would have liked the F200. (1) When I am carrying 4 XXL guys on board and tons of crap, several coolers of ice, etc., i.e. overloaded, (2) when trying to run in heavy following seas, just above planing speed (I wouldn't have to worry about rogue waves as much). However, most of these concerns evaporate when I'm at the fuel pump. :wink:
The F200 is heavier and has a much larger profile. It does have more horsepower but I'm not sure of the actual power difference. I know that my dealer is now equipping the 2120 with F200's as a matter of course. I think they probably sell much faster that way. Maybe these newer buyers know something I don't.
I don't consider the 2120 an offshore rig, but I'm a conservative sort. When seas are regularly burying the pulpit, I tend to find a safe haven and wait out the rough stuff. The boat is seaworthy enough but I am not willing to get beat up and thrown around as much as I used to. There is also the fact that I want to live long enough to spend my 403b in retirement on a nice Nordhavn 43 and cruise the world.
In other words, I don't demand as much out of my boat as many of you other guys, so I don't push the F150 to its limits. If you are a zealous fisherman, charter operator, younger chap or otherwise filled with more testosterone than me, get the F200. You'll always kick yourself otherwise. Repowering is a PIA. If running in the Great Lakes get the F200 because of the differences in bouyancy with fresh water. I tried my rig in Kerr Lake, VA, and it sucked! Oh yeah, one other super-important thing:
RIDE THE BOAT FIRST IN NOT SO NICE CONDITIONS. THE EXPERIENCE WILL TELL YOU ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW.
My dealer will usually do seatrials sometime in March for interested buyers, but you would need to contact them for a spot. I would be willing to dump the boat in the water for a short joyride as long as the ice is gone from the ramps. Here in Richmond area that can be anybody's guess as to when.
I hope this answers your questions. Perhaps it is more than you wanted to know? :shock: