new power
 

i have a 1988 23 w/a that i am having repainted .....i decided against the bracket ...however i have a question i am thinking about putting a new 225 verado on the back and i am concerned about the effect of the added weight vs a 225 optimax any suggestions greatly appreciated i am leaning toward the optimax b/c it will basically be a plug and run situation since i currently have a 200 merc 2.5 litre eng on it now.

Re: new power
 

IMO, if you are not enclosing the transom and putting on a flotation bracket, stick with the lighter 2-stroke. Even with the additional weight provided by the cabin superstructure up front, that boat will still sit pretty stern-heavy with a 4-stroke on the back, even worse with a Verado since they're heavier than Honda/Suzuki/Yamaha.

225 Opti weighs 497lbs vs 667lbs for the 225 Verado - that's quite a difference.

Re: new power
 

IMO if you go with a Verado you need to go with a 250 or 275 HP to justify the extra weight. The power to weight ratio just isn't worth it on the 225 Verado. For what you're describing I too think the 225 Opti is a better choice and you should save a few dollars as well.

Re: new power
 

What is the dealer quoting you for the verado vs the opti? How does your boat sit now? Do you need plugs in the cockpit drains?
Thanks.

Re: new power
 

Besides the 700+ pound weight of a single 225 verado . . . Some friends of mine are down in CR with a brand new Contender 31 w/ twin 275 verados. They put 75 hours on the motors and the port motor had some electrical problem . . . They've been stuck for 3 weeks now waiting for the parts (2 weeks for merc to send the parts and another week to clear customs).

Re: new power
 

You also might want to check out the forum on verado club.

http://www.veradoclub.com/pages/1/index.htm