250 Merc Optimax
 

Whats your opinion of this motor on a 23. I've never been a Mrec man but I think I can get a good deal on a new one.I think it will push it beautifully. I just hate that cluncking noise Mercs make when you put it in gear.They tell me they are excellent on fuel.RS.

Re: 250 Merc Optimax
 

I have a pair of 150 Opti's on my 25'er.

They are easy on the fuel, but hard on the pocket book when they have been to the shop. But then all of the high tech engines are like that. I just sold my 22' Robalo and it had a Ficht on it so I know first hand how expensive they are to repair too.

Mine don't shift any where near as hard as the the Yamaha engines (VMax). They sound like some one rear ended you.

Re: 250 Merc Optimax
 

I have a 225 Opti and it is basically ok. Been in for repair twice since new, six months. First time for a MAP sensor and the most recent and worst time getting Merc to replace, the air regulator, which happens to be part of the fuel rail. Darn thing was sticking and would not allow the motor to idle. Other than that, no MAJOR problems to speak of. Sips fuel, sips oil, and is a lot more quiet than the old 84 Yamaha I used to have.

Only real complaint I do have on the motor is, I have a hard time keeping the motor clean. Lots of salt on the motor and a real pain the the arse to clean with all that "stuff" in there. I don't think this one will last as long as the Yamaha but, heck, I have five years of warranty to find out if I can kill it......Oh, last thing. Those sparkplugs are EXPENSIVE......

John

Re: 250 Merc Optimax
 

I have a 96 250 EFI with 375 hours on a bracket on a 23cc. It runs about 33mph, 16 gph @ about 4400 rpm. The clunk is definitely there and the idle is a little rough, but no problems.

Re: 250 Merc Optimax
 

I have a 1999 23 with 225 optimax on the transom. I dont't like it's sound but has been very reliable and efficient with the gas. 42 mph wot with bottom paint swinging a 17" mirage. Oil is expensive too. This my first Merc. Not in Love with it but cannot complain.

tdog

Re: 250 Merc Optimax
 

The 250 opti will get you better fuel mileage than the 250 efi. It also has more horsepower. I think merc said it has close to 275 at the prop. The 250 optis are hand built by mercury racing. we swaped the efis for optis this year on our tournament boat and just about doubled our fishing range and increased our speed. another boat swaped his trip 300mercs for the 250 optis and loves them , said the 250s have more torque. merc has a 2year warranty with an extra year that can be bought..

Re: 250 Merc Optimax
 

Smoker,

The first year that the opti came out they had some problems with the injectors but now they have perfected them.. Thats why some early owners still aren't opti lovers. optis are the way to go. efficiency is the same or better than 4-strokes.A little Less life but less money too. we have customers that have logged close to a thousand hours in commerial use and they are still humming. Noice is a personal prefence. I like the racing noice they produce it calls you to the water. parts and accesories are more affordable than other brands. plus,you will go faster than the others.tight lines

Re: 250 Merc Optimax
 

Thank you all thats excellent info, especially towards the end when the Optis got better.What do the 250 Optis gor for,2004.

Re: 250 Merc Optimax
 

After reading this I'd like to put one of these babies on My 20 MA !! VROOOOM ! Anyone wanna Ride ?(FLY)
Scream'n Injuns' [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Re: 250 Merc Optimax
 

Im going to get some prices on them today.

Re: 250 Merc Optimax
 

Hello Mine is 20' with a 225EFI saltwater, remedy to the clunking noise when shifting gears is to keep the idle RPM low at the recommended 650 to 750 RPM.

Re: 250 Merc Optimax
 

That's true Randy but, with the Opti, the idle is set by the wonderful computer!!!!

Re: 250 Merc Optimax
 

3 months ago, I repowered my 99' 21SC with a 225 Merc 4 Stroke. I had a 200hp Evinrude.

I could not be happier. I could not be happier.

Just a tad more sluggish out of the hole but everything else is night and day to the good.

5 MPH faster on top end, amazingly quiet, totally different sound when crusing, a heck of a lot less expensive to operate. Reliability is unbelievable.

Plus you get a 3 year warranty.

I was not a Merc man before. I am now.

P.S. Plus you have to think that in the next ten years all that they will make is 4 strokes so resale is also a consideration.



I have not looked back and hope I never will.

Old Motor, 200 Fitch lost a 200 Ficth and had

Re: 250 Merc Optimax
 

When I purchased my 29 sea vee new, I choose to go with the 2002 200hp opti max engines over the hpdi yamahas. I recieved the first shipment of 2002 motors in july of 2001. I could not of been happier. The motors have been perfect. I havent had a problem. The boat gets exceptional fuel economy and speed. I run them like a mad man and I dont always flush them out. Still no problems. I am currently going on 400 hrs with them now and they are still running strong. The only complient that I have is the high cost of optimax oil and that is not such a big deal.
A friend of mine has a set of the new 250 optis that you are talking about although he hasnt had them long he loves them and he hasnt had a problem with them.

Re: 250 Merc Optimax
 

Insman,

Remember, that Merc 225 4 stroke is really a Yamaha.

Re: 250 Merc Optimax
 

What Briguy said...

Re: 250 Merc Optimax
 

ISNMAN POSTED:: P.S. Plus you have to think that in the next ten years all that they will make is 4 strokes so resale is also a consideration.

This is not true. Todays DI 2 strokes run cleaner and burn less gas then the 4 strokes. They also put out less emissions. If it was going to be a 4 stroke future dont you think the three big outboard makers would dump the 2 strokes. They are pumping big bucks into these new 2 strokes. Evinrude DI, Mercury Opti-Max or the Yamaha HPDI are the engines of the future not the 4 strokes. Thats just my 2 cents.

Re: 250 Merc Optimax
 

Joe, is the ETEC a four stroke or a 2 stroke? Im still debating waiting to see how the 225 & 250 when they come out, will be.But with that 7 year promo until April its very appealing.
I here they recently recalled something in relation to the carbs on the Ficths are you aware and I would think the 2004 models will come out with this problem updated.Thanks for your expertise.RS

Re: 250 Merc Optimax
 

reel smoker good to hear from you. I am planning a dolphin trip in june, see you then. I love the fitch, burns more oil then they told me esp at 1500- 2000 rpm, excellent torque and no problems so far.
mad max

Re: 250 Merc Optimax
 

Madman, June yeap I cant wait for the summer weather, I cant stand this 55 degress anymore.
Hopefully by then I'll have a new motor ,now Bomb might make easier with the 7 year warranty but I heard that Yamaha came out with 5 years.That four stroke looks very appealing now an the price is not much more. The service is what I have to look into.Its all about decisions but you try to make the right one for the best boat out there a SEACRAFT.I've pretty much came to the conclusion if I hang a new motor Ill keep her for a long time,at least a little longer than the wife.

Re: 250 Merc Optimax
 

It is a 2 stroke. There is a recall on the early 2004 150 thru 250 due to a problem with the fuel rail on the return side. It was a vendor probelm that is taken care of. There is only a handfull of bad rails out there.

Re: 250 Merc Optimax
 

Joe, does the standard Evinrude gauges work with the Ficth and I would think so but does the prop from my 1996 Carburated Evinrude fit a 225 or 250 Ficth. Thanks again