Re: motor weights, too much?
 

I totally concur w/ESD. I'd like to hear some Merc heads thoughts on the Optimax. From what I gather the bugs are long gone, and the 115 would be a nice match. That being said that 115 E-tec or the 115HO and 130 are just too cool.

I think the optis weigh in at about 375 lbs and the white (salt-water) E-tecs 390lbs (according to '09 brochure) will both get you high 30s to mid 40s and still avg. 5mpg. I would be sold on either If I had the lumber, er money...

Re: motor weights, too much?
 

OMC Eagle series is the perfect power/weight ratio for the 18; 150hp @ 376 lbs. Theres still a few around worth rebuilding. If you want to see 50+ you can do thisOMC Eagle Project

Re: motor weights, too much?
 

Prior to the 140 Zuke......we also had that OMC Eagle set-up and it was the best speed vs. weight(we ran 47 mph). I could feel the heavier weight on my dad's 18SF with the 150 vs. my v-4 Yamaha 130( max 40 mph).

Re: motor weights, too much?
 

I put a new Optimax 115 HP on my 20 SF last summer and so far I have been more that satisfied with performance and fuel economy. It will run 41 MPH GPS at WOT and I am still running a little low in RPM’s. I originally wanted an ETech but the price jumped more than a grand in three or four months. I was also able to get a five-year warranty for a few bucks more.

Re: motor weights, too much?
 

OMC Eagle project sounds cool, but i am sold on a new motor. i dont have the knowhow that a lot of you do when it comes to mechanical stuff and engines. e-tecs are either loved or hated. have heard great things from some owners, terrible from others. what about 150 opti? you guys probably want to strangle me as i keep suggesting different 150hp+ motors and you keep saying no, go smaller, but i do like to go fast when i want to. not that concerned w/ planing at low speeds, as i will ride a bigger boat offshore if it is anything other than ideal. i dont beat a motor but you can cover a lot of ground in charleston in a day fishing if you want to. i can go places in my 18 seacraft that my buddies cant touch in their 20-22 ft bay boats, and still get shallow too. that said im sold on going new as opposed to rebuilt or used. still leaning towards the zuke 140, those yammis are too heavy, and it seems like none of you run them.

Re: motor weights, too much?
 

also, do you guys think i can get anything for the motor i have now. she runs strong (90% of the time). i know there are a ton of floridians on this site and the go fast guys love the old 6 cyl mercs. its a bored out 92 merc offshore. pushes my lil sc in the low 50s in optimum conditions.

Re: motor weights, too much?
 

Not sure what you're reading, but Optis have been some of the most reliable engines out there over the last 5 years. You're correct, the earlier ones had some bugs but those were worked out by the 2003 models. As mentioned above, if you want speed/performance, stick with the 2-stroke. You can get 200 horsepower from the e-tec with the same weight as the 140 suzuki.

Reason no one on here is running Yamaha is because the 200 hpdi is the only 2 stroke they make for saltwater (475 lbs) and the f150 is substantially heavier (466 lbs) than the suzuki 140.

For what its worth, I repowered my 20 last year and, after extensive research, settled on the Opti. Only 80 hours on her so far, but it hasn't skipped a beat.

Re: motor weights, too much?
 

Just an FYI, the DF140 makes the waterline at about 35% of the gunnel height in the stern vs. my 130 V-4 that was at 10%. We still use it without hesitation offshore though.

Re: motor weights, too much?
 

what size opti on your 20? the e-tec 200 really weighs the same? that sure wouldnt hurt my topend, just my wallet...

Re: motor weights, too much?
 

FYI - my E-Tec, which has a 7 year warranty, has had zero problems in 3 years and about 185 hrs; also very quiet, which is it's biggest advantage relative to the Opti. It's a very strong running 150; 2007 BRP brochure, which compares HP and torque curves for the 150 E-Tec and F-150, shows that it's actually 165 hp. At 3000 rpm it puts out 200 ft-lbs of torque vs about 150 for the Yahama, so it's a bear on hole shot and acceleration. Actual weight with full fluids and no prop is 504 lbs for the Yahama and 427 for the E-Tec. The 175 and 200 are based on same block, so weight is the same, although HP ratings are probably less conservative on the 175 & 200. My dealer also sells Honda's and Yahama's and service manager says he's had fewer problems with the E-Tecs than either of the other two.