The older Opti's are WAY louder than an etec.
However, the newer Opti's are pretty close to etec sound levels.

I have an etec on my 23 Sceptre, and working for a boatyard, have run many boats with older optis (one of them being a 25 Seacraft!).
I kind of like the sound of the older optis. They're loud, but kind of a unique sound. And the power is amazing. Torque for days.
That's why you always see the older optis on the Towboat US boats. ;)

We only take care of a smattering of the newer optis, but they seem pretty well built. Powerband is definitely not quite the same as the older ones though.

You have much better boat us service than we.

Sorry . . . I meant spare compressors for his own boat, not for customers motors. The guy runs twin 225 opti's on his Boston Whaler.

Couldn't just leave that there haha.

Comment on buying used outboards - you can get perfectly good used and save a lot of money if you do your homework like anything else.

1. Check the seller properly for any bad reviews, bad reputation and any BBB complaints.
2. Ask the right questions
3. Get what you need in writing - a reputable seller with nothing to hide will be pleased to provide what you request.

I've bought two separate 200 hp outboards at roughly 1/2 cost new and turned out perfect.

Large boat dealers often have fine used that get swapped out as owners want new or bigger motors.

Nice job you did listing the problematic motors, seems right on target.

Gents: Would like your input on the following. I ran across a pair of 2004 Optimax 135's counter rotating, well cared for with low hours. Owner wanted more power and 4 strokes. Would like your input on what to expect for the noise level and fuel burn. These would be going on my 23 WA. Thanks again.

Well Casey if these were EFIs I would tell you not to worry about the fuel burn, shoot it's only money and the Government can just add more taxes to help you pay for the fuel!! :) However the Optis are much better on fuel burn and that might be a really nice combo especially with the lighter weight issue of the two strokes. Not sure what the price is but low hours sure makes it a sweet deal. Again my '03 225 EFI treated me very well except at the gas pump!! Good luck!

Noisy.
Pretty good on fuel burn.
More torque than you'll know what to do with!
Boat will be fast, especially out of the hole.
:D

Don: the combined weight will be more that a big single. But as Capt LLoyd told me-taking the +300 lbs of steel shot out of the stringers will more than compensate for the extra weight. Talk about a royal PITA getting that s..t out.

I'm a parish priest of a very small congregation, and I, too, went looking for the best I could find in a smaller motor for my '88 18' Seacraft. I ended up getting a 2010 Etec 90 with under 200 hours for just $3K.

My (then) teen-aged daughter had gynecological surgery that her Dr's office assured us had been pre-authorized by the insurance company. They had, in fact only submitted the paperwork for authorization, and had not received a reply before the surgery took place. The insurance company rejected the claim after the surgery saying it was "not medically necessary".

We went through the appeals process and it was still rejected. Both the surgeon and anesthesiologist waived their bills, and the radiologist agreed to take just the copay as payment.

The hospital sent us a bill for over $80K. After the failed negotiations with the insurance company, we went to negotiate with the hospital, and they ended up accepting $1400 as full payment, which was slightly more than they would have gotten from the insurance company if the claim had been approved originally.

Being somewhat tenacious, I then submitted the receipt for my payment to the hospital to my insurance company for reimbursement, along with a copy of the Dr.'s original documentation saying the surgery was medically necessary. I was reimbursed for 80% of the $1400. All in all, the negotiations took almost a year.