[JohnS]

Pounce,
I originally ran the "Premium Plus" as the Opti stuff was not easily available, other than driving a ways to get the stuff. The guys at Boat Center said that it was fine to run and the manual said it was ok too, if you could not get the synthetic. One of the local guys started carrying the synthetic so I am now buying that, expensive stuff....

Here is a question for ya....

When Mercury came out with the Optimax motors, they didn't have the synthetic oil. In fact, they didn't come out with it until a few years later. So, what gives? Yes, synthetic is great stuff and will more than likely increase the life of the motor but, is is REALLY required? Like I said, I am now using it but the initial break in, first 25 hours of running, ran on the other stuff...

John