150 hp Optimax- anyone have any experience with them?

[twopars]

I am cosidering buying a new bass boat and am considering a 150 hp Mercury Optimax engine. I have heard from a few people who own them and most of the feedback has been positive. Any thoughts on this engine? I live in California and the restrictions on new engines don't leave many two stroke choices.

 

[omctech]

Re: 150 hp Optimax- anyone have any experience with them?

twopars, <br /> the optimax is a great motor. The only problems i've encountered have been ground wires working loose after several months of hard boating, ie.... tournament fishing on large resivoirs that also cater to large pleasure boaters.

 

[CAPTBLACKSMARINE]

Re: 150 hp Optimax- anyone have any experience with them?

MERCURY HAS HAD THEIR SHARE OF PROBLEMS WITH THE OPTI JUST AS OTHERS HAVE HAD WITH THEIR DFI MOTORS MY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE OPTI IS THAT COMPARED TO THE FICHT IT IS WAY DOWN ON POWER AND THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE SO MANY MORE PARTS ON THEM THAT CAN BREAK THAN THE FICHT DOES PERSONALLY I WOULD BUY THE FICHT FOR FAR MORE REASONS THEN I COULD EVER LIST HERE.GOOD LUCK WITH WHICH EVER YOU CHOOSE

 

[chellabell]

Re: 150 hp Optimax- anyone have any experience with them?

I have twin 2002 225s,great motors. Poor cold starting otherwise great. Smartcraft<br />gauge package outrageuos. Check out special<br />promotion for 5 year warranty if bought by<br />april 15 2002.

 

[trevorcday]

Re: 150 hp Optimax- anyone have any experience with them?

I can't imagine a motor that has had more trouble than the FICHT. Merc has had small problems such as spark plug fouling on the big block Opti motors but the FICHT's have been blowing up power heads since they were first introduced. I agree they are a simpler system but their track record is terrible. Hopefully Bombardier sort them out. In my area you can buy a new non-current 150 FICHT for about half the price of a new 150 OPTI.

 

[twopars]

Re: 150 hp Optimax- anyone have any experience with them?

Thanks for the input guys, I bought a 2002 Optimax today okn a new NX882 Nitro. I'm anxious to get it in the water this weekend and I'm sure I'll love it. Thanks again, twopars

 

[skier]

Re: 150 hp Optimax- anyone have any experience with them?

Please make darn sure you only get the recomended spark plug for that motor. She will run like **** with the wrong plug.

 

[dodge92]

Re: 150 hp Optimax- anyone have any experience with them?

I talked with a local dealer on Saturday about maintenance on the new 150 Optimax. He stated due to the heat these motors create, the waterpump and impeller ned to be changed religiously every year. He also stated the spark plugs cost $20 each. Please let me know about your mainteneance on these motors. Ordering new boat, considering this motor.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[twopars]

Re: 150 hp Optimax- anyone have any experience with them?

Dodge, I just had my 100 hour service on the Optimax and it cost $600. I don't know if that is higher than for a Ficht but I bet that it is probably higher than a 4 Stroke. The mechanic needs to have special training and a laptop computer to service the engine and not all dealers have the right equipment. the dealer near me happens to have a good, well trained mechanic and he did a great job. The engine is smooth as silk and runs great. If you have a knowlegable mechanic near you I would recommend this engine. If not you might want to think twice. good luck with your choice. P.S. No mechanical problems so far wdith the Opti.

 

[vinney]

Re: 150 hp Optimax- anyone have any experience with them?

Optimax Half the problems I see are set up or rigging problems. I you read Mercury set up of the optimax rigging requirements there would be alot less problems. There is one boat manufacture that makes there own rules (either that, they cant read). Every time we see this manufactures boat we correct the rigging problems and alot of there problems go a away. My point is just because its factory rigged doesnt mean they did it correctly. I like this engine it does require more baby sitting. When they run nothing can beat them. V

 

[dodge92]

Re: 150 hp Optimax- anyone have any experience with them?

Thanks, I'll be ordering my new boat and the 150 Optimax within the next few weeks. Can't wait for spring time already.

 

[Jacques321]

Re: 150 hp Optimax- anyone have any experience with them?

Twopars,<br /><br />How did your mechanic justify $600.00 for a 100 hr. service. That amount would have been outrageous for me!!<br /><br />What did he do??

 

[twopars]

Re: 150 hp Optimax- anyone have any experience with them?

Jacques- It was outrageous for me too but I called around and the next closest dealer wanted the same amount. They said that the 100hr service on that engine takes about 5 hours and that between the sparkplugs, the impeller and pump, fluids for lower unit and all the parts came to $145. Labor is $90/hr here in expensive San Francisco area= $600 bucks!!! I had a Suzuki 4 stroke and my last tuneup was $140! If I knew how expensive the service on the Optimax was I would have thought twice about buying it. Anyone out there have an Optimax serviced in another part of the country? I bet that it's cheaper in other states.

 

[Jacques321]

Re: 150 hp Optimax- anyone have any experience with them?

Boating is expensive enough as it is. You don't need another 600$ a year on top of your gas and other related expenses.<br /><br />What's it gonna be next year $675, $750 the year after that. Man, am I glad I bought a 4 stroke. Next year when you do the 200 or 300 hour verification hang around the garage and tell your mechanic you want to see him do the work. You have every right to demand that. Find out what happens during those long 5 hours!!<br /><br />And another thing if they change parts tell them you want the old parts back.