Repowering a 23' 1986 Sceptre with either a 250hp

[Kurts1953]

Optimax or 300hp HPDI Yamaha. Or should I say I am thinking about it. My dealer is telling me that they would run about the same amount installed (Yamaha is a little more). The 300hp Yamaha per the specs in the book is about 40 pounds heavier than the 250hp Optimax. I am leaning towards the Yamaha but I am wondering if this would be a bit to much power. I have the standard transom (no bracket). Does anyone have any thoughts. The boat is currently powered with a carbed 225 HP Johnson 1996 which just eats up the gas and oil and pushes me around at 25 MPH at 4200 RPM's. Do any of you experts have any thoughts which is the better choice.

[Solafide]

I have a 1973 CC with a ttop and a 1996 250hp Yamaha turning a 13,3/4 x 19 prop.Speed at at cruise of 4400 rpms is about 38 mph and she'll top at about 50mph with a moderate load,I find 250hp to be plenty.Good luck

[23yellow]

Go with the 250 XS Optimax. Far better motor than the 300 Yamaha HPDI. In fact, you will find that the 250 XS Optimax produces between 270 to 280 HP. Wouldn't be surprised if the 250 XS Optimax out performs the 300 Yamaha HPDI. There have been reports that the 300 Yamaha HPDI is not putting out the advertised HP. Bottom line, the 250 XS Optimax now runs on 87 octane and has a proven track record. Good luck!!!

[joema]

yamaha 300 no way go opti f250 df250 300,have df250 happy so far you could pee at idleis louder

[1bayouboy]

And from what I've read the 300 HPDI Yam is at the max end of HP in that block....which usually isn't a good thing for longevity/reliability.

[oz775]

For price, weight, fuel economy,reliability, I would go Optimax. I know the other motors you listed are VERY expensive compared to the Opti. 225 or 250hp would be plenty for your boat. I am extremley happy with my Opti.

[eggsuckindog]

I also would steer clear of the Yammi, they seem to have some filter issues that are a pain to figure out. I would also consider a 250 ETEC which seems very strong, I had a V8 Rude 300 on mine you will love the HP and completely different boat, will handle like a 20 very nibble compared to what your used to.

[captbone]

I would not go with any of those.

The Yamaha 3.3 liter HPDI has had alot of trouble and suffers from poor resale even after they have been fixed.

The 250XS is a race engine with a very limited warranty and external trim pump.

I would strongly recommend the Mecury Optimax 250hp PROXS

This is a brand model this year. This is the same powerhead as the 250XS but on a regular
midsection with full warranty.

[Kurts1953]

Thanks for the input guys. I will go with the 250 optimax. That was what my dealer suggested as well. By the way I have a 115 optimax on a 16 foot flats boat that I built and really love the motor. It sips the fuel. Thanks again

[Kurts1953]

Well it took awhile but I finally repowered the 23 Sceptre with a 250 Yamaha four stroke (30" shaft). I wound up getting a extra 3 year waranty free for a total of six. I had a old 225 Ocean Pro which ran fine but just ate up the gas and was very difficult to start and did not push the boat very good. With the new 250 Yamaha FS the boat seems totaly different in the way it performs. I am going by the Yamaha gauges but at 3600 RPM the boat does 24 MPH and burns 7.8 GPH. At 4,000 RPM the boat does 30 MPH and burns 9.3 GPH. It tops out at 5,700 RPM and 42 MPH . I have made several short fishing trips and the gas guage needle has not skyrocked down like when I had the ocean pro on it. In fact it does not seem to have moved much atr all. I think I will be doing a lot running in the 3,800 RPM range which puts my around 27-28 MPH at about 8.4 GPH. So far so good.