Mercury Optimax reliability / buying advice

[mabbs]

Possibly looking at a repower, currently have a perfectly serviceable old 1998 125hp Mercury 2 stroke but talking to the local dealer he waxes lyrical about Optimax’s and much better fuel economy when trolling and cruising. Seen a local 2nd hand 225hp year 2001, low hrs, other than doing the usual compression test, is there anything else that really goes wrong with these motors or I should be aware of?

 

[Hambleite]

We put a 1000 hrs on a Mariner 2001 150hp Optimax from 2005 to 2017, total hours when sold 1,300. So, a slightly different engine to the 225hp as 2.5 litres vs 3 litres but the same basic tech.

It was serviced professionally every year. No problems.

Still delivered the same level of performance and efficiency throughout it's life. In fact, we replaced it with a new Mercury 150hp Optimax Pro XS in 2017 only because we were offered a great deal.

The boat is a Scorpion 6.5m, which is about 6.8m overall.

Lightish weight, 2 stroke grunt but with 4 stroke efficiency - what's not to like?

Efficiency - It burns about the same as a Mariner 90hp 2 stroke (3 cyl, 1300cc) on an Avon 5.4m Searider, which was our previous boat (pre 2005).

Where the newer 4 strokes win is in quiet low speed strolling - but only relevant, if relevant to you.

Mabbs - Can the engine be seen running on the boat? Can you sea trial it?

 

[mabbs]

It’s local, chap says it can be seen running, not sure if it’s still mounted on the boat or not to sea trial, will make enquiries.

 

[z1ppy]

We had a Mariner 225 Opti on one of our ribs (Scorpion 7.5) great engine with a wonderful noise, in comparison to the 4S verardo's they are NOISY but oh the bark when the prop came close to the surface!

loads of grunt right the way through the rev range and we didnt have any problems with it but it was only a few years old then and was serviced yearly. put maybe 200 hours on it trouble free and always had total confidence in it.

going from a 125 to a 225 will be quite an increase in weight i expect? will the transom take it? i would be slightly concerned about the change in balance?

 

[mabbs]

The weight jump is about 65 kgs, which I would negate by installing fuel tanks further forward, totalling 220 litres, and then only utilise the existing 118l when really needed. On the strength front I had the transom replaced 4 years ago from 20 inch to what should have been 25 inches, but it’s an inch short. It had extra tabs glassed in. I will consult with a boat builder first though and see what his thoughts are, it’s on a 21’ Shetland which has a 15 degree v hull. Problem I have atm is to cruise at 20 knots I use about 4,500 revs and appear to have the right prop as I pull smack to the middle of guided rpm. Clean hull as I trail her.

 

[dustywings]

I had a year 2000 (I think) mercury 200 opti on a scorpion 7.5. Sounded great and was 100% reliable. I spoke to Dave Crawfords about it before buying and he told me he looked after engines which had already done over 3000 hours without any problem.