135 OptiMax EFI vs. 115 EFI 4-Stroke

[starmed]

I'm buying a Bayliner Trophy 1903 CC. Should I get the 135 OptiMax EFI which is specified for the boat or go for the 4-Stroke? Need help<br /><br /><br />Thanks to everyone who contributed information. It was very helpful.

 

[Franki]

Re: 135 OptiMax EFI vs. 115 EFI 4-Stroke

my personal preference would be the Optimax<br /><br />but it depends what you are using the boat for..<br /><br />for one thing, lots of trolling at low speeds would favour the 4stroke.<br /><br />Fast holeshot and top speed would favour the Optimax. (because its a 2 stroke, and because its probably lighter.)<br /><br />I'd say enviromentally, they would be much the same.

 

[Franki]

Re: 135 OptiMax EFI vs. 115 EFI 4-Stroke

oh yeah, and the optimax has an extra 20 horses.. which would mean it would cane the 4 stroke...<br /><br />lighter + more HP = faster. <br /><br />I'm guessing it would probably save you some money over the 4stroke as well.<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />frank

 

[Jacques321]

Re: 135 OptiMax EFI vs. 115 EFI 4-Stroke

If you'd mentioned any other 2 stroke than an Optimax I'd have said, go with it, but the Optimax reputation is just too poor at this point in time to recommend.<br /><br />Get the best possible deal for the Bayliner and then put a Ficht or a Yammi HPDI on the back of her.<br /><br />Four stroke is always a good option but they're a little sluggish next to 2 stroke fuel injected engines. But I can a test to the fact that they run clean and quiet, and will save you money on gas in the long run.

 

[tema]

Re: 135 OptiMax EFI vs. 115 EFI 4-Stroke

The fact is that the Merc 115 Efi weights less than the 135 Optimax. And it's definitely not sluggish, it's far more responsive than a comparable carburetted 4-stroke, and comparable to any 2-stroke. And it's more quiet, of course. But according to specs, it does not use less fuel than the optimax with the same Hp, although the extra 20 hp's in this case might account for some extra fuel.

 

[Franki]

Re: 135 OptiMax EFI vs. 115 EFI 4-Stroke

I was not familiar with the optimax and problems associated with it.. I now say get a Ficht.. same sort of design.. and the figures don't lie.. from what I have heard/read, they simply outperform the 4 strokes.. and are comparable on economy as well.. and regardless of engine type, 20 horses is 20 horses.. <br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank<br /><br /><br />PS, Jacques321, what have you heard of Optimax's?? I was toying with making my next outboard a Marina Optimax, but if they have serious design/quality problems, then I'll probably go the Ficht.

 

[SeaDawg]

Re: 135 OptiMax EFI vs. 115 EFI 4-Stroke

Frank, don't mean to start a 2-stoke & 4-stoke war here, but read up on the FICHTs, they are what made OMC go bankrupt.<br /><br />I've had 2 friends that are on their 3rd FICHT motors. They will not give you good reviews.<br /><br />The problem with the "super lean" oil burning 2-stroke engines is when they hiccup, they ruin the engine powerhead. And most times, it only takes once. And, even if the fuel economy is the same, you still have to buy the oil to go with it.<br /><br />Starmed, I've never heard of anyone going back to a 2-stroke motor, once they get a 4-stroke.<br /><br />I'm speaking from my personal experience, I've had some 2 strokes in the 80's and early 90's, and I'm now a believer in the 4-stroke boat motors. I got my first Honda in 1993, and have bought 4-strokes ever since.<br /><br />Incidentally, I had a 1987 Bayliner 19' CC, with a 125 Force on it. I bought it new,and it would run close to 40 mph with just me in the boat on a calm day. It would run easily in the 30s with 4 large guys in the boat too.<br /><br />A 115 four stroke (any brand)should push the 1903 CC close to 35 mph, if propped correctly. Hopefully this will help you decide what HP you may need.

 

[Franki]

Re: 135 OptiMax EFI vs. 115 EFI 4-Stroke

Yeah, I knew the Fichts had problems with the older pre 2000 models.. but I was under the impression that the post 2000 models had proved pretty solid?<br /><br />Like I said in the original email.. it depends on what you use the boat for doesn't it?<br /><br />If I was going to run a four stroke, I'd probably try to get one 10HP or so bigger then the 2 stroke I would have put on..<br /><br />just to make sure the difference isnt' noticable.. <br />I guess thats becoming something of a possibility with the bigger four strokes coming out now. and the weight is becoming less of an issue now as well it seems.<br /><br />(one of the things I have wondered about many times, is how four stroke manufacturers are getting the weight down.. the simple fact of the matter is that four strokes have more recriprocating mass up top.. (more since 2 strokes have none.) Are they skimping on material size/strength to get more revs and less weight? after reading the snapped cams and so on in the recent Suzuki posts.. I wonder if thats the case.. if it is, then its uplikely four strokes will have a longer lifespan then 2 strokes as has been claimed, in fact it may go the other way.)<br /><br />Also, I am curious about 2 stroke outboard design, my motocross bikes motors could rev to over 8000 rpm easily.. and yet outboards with 2 strokes don't get over 6000, why is that when 2 strokes generally produce more power at higher rpm and have no recriprocating gear like cams and valves to impeed high RPM???<br /><br />is there a reason for that? (like maybe the continious load in a marine enviroment?)<br /><br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank

 

[Forktail]

Re: 135 OptiMax EFI vs. 115 EFI 4-Stroke

I really can't see any advantage of the 2-stroke OptiMax over the 4-stroke other than 20 hp.<br /><br />The 4-stroke has a much longer engine life with minimal maintenance. Much smoother and quieter. Better resale. More reliable from my experience.<br /><br />Different "strokes" for different folks.

 

[trevorcday]

Re: 135 OptiMax EFI vs. 115 EFI 4-Stroke

For starters I hate to get into the Optimax vs FICHT debate once again but the fact is that the FICHTS have been unreliable to say the least. Granted the Opti's have had some teething problems too but nothing remotely close to those of the FICHT.<br /><br />The 135 Opti is heavier than the 115 4-st because it is a V6 engine vs a 4 cylinder. The 135 powerhead is the same as the 175. The Opti will have a LOT more bottom end than the 4-st because it is a bigger displacement motor. <br /><br />For quietness and low speed trolling go with the 115 4-st. For performance go with the Opti. The Opti is technically complex and has a lot of extra moving parts that normal 2-strokes do not so the normal arguement in favour of 2-strokes (less moving parts) doesn't apply here. The 4-st is pretty conventional technology but has lots of moving parts too.