225 hp Optimax for a 23'? Good fit?
 

Just wondering if anyone is running a 225hp Optimax on their 23?

If so what kind of top speed and cruise economy are you seeing? Thanks.

Re: 225 hp Optimax for a 23'? Good fit?
 

I've got a 2003 3.0L EFI 225hp on mine, not an Opimax though. I'm happy with mine....around 3800rpm and it runs perfect in most all conditions with a 17 prop. I,m at around 13.5 to 14.5 gal per hour at that rpm. Normal day trolling 35 to 40 miles out with four people, ice, beer, average seas, more beer, etc. is normally 36 to 40 gals. Rough day maybe 50 gals.

Re: 225 hp Optimax for a 23'? Good fit?
 

WOW!! That is some serious fuel consumption at that RPM!!

I run a 23 Sceptre w/ a 225 Yamaha 2 stroke and burn 9-10 gph at 4200 rpm @ 30 mph on GPS. Obviously I'm pleased with those #s. Also I'm pushing a hardtop and half-tower thru the air too.

I top out at 39 mph @ 5250 rpm running a 15 pitch alum prop. I have a "short" linkage throttle cable so I'm not totally pushing the engine throttle plate to the WOT positon. That's why I only turn 5250 w/ a 15" prop. That IS INTENTIONAL, due to the fact my 225 is 22 years old and I don't want to rev & rattle this motor to death. Before I changed the linkage I could turn 5800 rpm at 42 mph (GPS). I felt like the extended engine lifespan was worth the 3 mph on the top end.

The above performance was with one person (me) & a very light load of gear and equipment and 1/3 tank of fuel say around 25-30 gallons.

Re: 225 hp Optimax for a 23'? Good fit?
 

Gillie-
What are you planning! Are you going with one motor for you Seavette??..or are you up to three now :o
-Fred

Re: 225 hp Optimax for a 23'? Good fit?
 

Hummmmmm.....now you are making me have to go out and double check my flow meter at 3800. Normally with four to five people and the boat "loaded" with gear, etc. I think it was 13.5 per hour. I'm using a Northstar flow meter, model 210 I think. I do know when you move it up to 4200+ it gets real thirsty.

Re: 225 hp Optimax for a 23'? Good fit?
 

I have a 225 Opti on my 23 tsunami- burns 10 gals an hr at 4000 rpm- runs 42mph wide open at 5400 rpm- great fit for any 23 in my opinion- super reliable and the engine screams- I would buy another Opti in a second!!!

Re: 225 hp Optimax for a 23'? Good fit?
 

I am running a 99 Yami 225 and my numbers are almost the same as Jims, Great fuel economy, I had twin optis on 25 SeaArk and they had nothing but issues even after a rebuild.

Re: 225 hp Optimax for a 23'? Good fit?
 

Thanks for the feedback guys. I just came across a 30" Opti w/180 hrs for 4k. seemed like a good deal, so the wheels started turning. The twin 2.4L 225s on the Seavette need bit of love and I wondered if I could run efficiently with a single 225. I guess it sounds like I'd be defeating the purpose of a Seavette, but hey, aside from looking cool, and running some smokes and folks from Mexico, it has no real purpose for me... I'm trying to reduce my carbon footprint you know. ;)

At any rate, most of your numbers sound pretty good. Topping out near 40 and 10gph at cruise sounds very good - round trips to Catalina for $60 fuel sounds like deal. And with that big ol' love shack we could stay on the Vette and use all that tourist hotel tax on tourist drinks... Or BOOB to the Zane Grey Lodge :D

Ryan I had heard some bad about the big Optis but not specifically the 225. Any thought on the year models of problematic motors? Thanks all for your input.

Re: 225 hp Optimax for a 23'? Good fit?
 

Gillie - You will have no problem pushing that 23 with the old 225 . . . Just use a 15P prop.

Re: 225 hp Optimax for a 23'? Good fit?
 

Tim,
Roger on the 15 pitch, Thanks. I'm still thinking about putting one of these on the Seafari also. Maybe run a 27 pitch cleaver as a kelp cutter :D :D

Just picked up a brand new set of 12x9 Bennetts ($135 on ebay-couldn't stop the impulse) to better manage the projected chine-walking of the Seafari :D

Regarding the Seafari, what carbie should I change to for better fuel economy? They currently have the WH15 which I think is a 225 carb app. Probably keep that on the 23 unless you have a better idea...

Fr. Frank, got any more 200hp Coast Guard stickers?

Re: 225 hp Optimax for a 23'? Good fit?
 

I did hear that they had worked most of the issues out boy 03-04 I guess I am still just gun shy,
One thing was in referencing props, I am running a 4 blade 18 pitch. I have never topped out my RPMs but feel it would be close to 57-5800. I wonder if I am over propped and hurting the motor?? :D

Re: 225 hp Optimax for a 23'? Good fit?
 

Gillie,
Did you just reference the late great Lowell George and the B 52`s in the same post?
Oh the horror. :eek:
I got to see the fat man melt in `77 @ UVA. What a tasty player he was. Awesome slide. He and J Geils got no respect from the scribes.
Abba is in the hall of fame and J Geils and Little Feet are not? Full House is a seminal live album. As is Waiting For Columbus.

I think 03 is either the first good year or the last bad year of the dreaded Opti Bombs.

Cheers,
GFS

Re: 225 hp Optimax for a 23'? Good fit?
 

He is correct about the years - the earlier ones earned the Opti - Bomb name. On a Seavette though a single 225 ain't gonna cut it, if you need help with the existing motors let me know I have a good merc guy that works pretty cheap and can get you a 25% break on parts through somebody else- he can ship powerheads back and forth - you would need somebody to get them off though but they would be turn key when returned. Thats what I did and saved 1000

Re: 225 hp Optimax for a 23'? Good fit?
 

Ryan & Dixon, Thanks for the follow up. Opti I was looking at was a 2001 so I'll stick with the old power for now (assuming I can get'em running right).

Is a shot of WD-40 in each cyl before trying to turn over ok?

Sandy, Feats never fail me. Lowell was brilliant even well-baked. I never saw him live. But drummer Ritchie Hayward went to my high school in Iowa. I've seen them numerous times since the fat man passed, and they have always exceeded expectation. Fun band.

Waiting For Columbus is definitely a "desert island disc," IMHO, perhaps the most perfect road trip record, evah
:cool:

Re: 225 hp Optimax for a 23'? Good fit?
 

Gillie, I used seafoam deep creep in my inboard..removed spark plugs, sprayed and let sit..I remember as a kid...spraying WD40 on my minibike wheel bearings.they stopped sweakin...I think they lasted about a week...WD40 did what it was intended to do..and the bearings were very clean minus grease!
I would use it on exterior though..keep those blocks protected
I dont have enough knowledge to know about using WD40 in each cylinder though..I wouldn't do it!
-Fred

Re: 225 hp Optimax for a 23'? Good fit?
 

I have always used WD-40 in the cylinders and on the outside of everything I've winterized. I could be wrong but oil based and water displacing? Can't ask for much more.

It has always worked for me.

Re: 225 hp Optimax for a 23'? Good fit?
 

WD40 is not an oil - maybe just put some outboard oil in a spray bottle, if they will start the WD40 is OK but as stated it will remove oil as well, hell I used on my hands to remove exopy stick on my hands the other day.

To save me the trouble of looking it up but whats on it now?

Re: 225 hp Optimax for a 23'? Good fit?
 

Thanks guys, because I'm just seeing if it will turn over, I'll stick with some 2-s oil in a spray bottle.

Dixon, If you were asking what motors were on the Seavette, they are '83 2.4L Merc 200's with wh-15 carbs and are allegedly tuned to 225hp, whatever that entails. They have old style heads but horizontal reeds which apparently started in '83. Presume they have finger ports but have not opened them up. looks like I'll be removing them soon... more on that in the repairs and mods forum.
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Re: 225 hp Optimax for a 23'? Good fit?
 

So they don't run or don't turn over or just sit there LOL

those are pretty popular motors and a good fit, either those or 2.5 carbed, you might find a couple drop on powerheads on Scream & Fly that would make life easier and cheaper. They seem to go for like 2500 fresh, I looked into that myself - cranks are the issue, good your golden - not gets way more expensive. They are good bullet proof motors with lots of parts avaiable cheap. Another big question is if you can get the PH's off the mids, if you can PH's are cheap.

I learned alot about parts avaiablity for 2.5's when I needed too, parts are cheap labor is not.

Re: 225 hp Optimax for a 23'? Good fit?
 

I expect they will run but I'm going through the starters, solenoids and wiring before giving them them a whirl. Its been sitting a long time. Lots of corrosion.

I got some brush kits Saturday but was having too much fun looking in the hull to do anything.

The hull is gonna need a new transom. Definitely been rode hard and put away wet.

Re: 225 hp Optimax for a 23'? Good fit?
 

Keep us posted on the motors, since you have 2, swap a starter and see if both run before spending a bunch of money them.