2016 Mercury Optimax 150 Pro XS Reviews?

emilime75

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 23, 2009
Messages
204
Considering a tritoon with one of these on it and it just occurred to me that this is a 2 stroke motor. I don't have any past experience with 2 strokes and, in all honesty, extremely little experience with outboards in general. All of my previous boats have been fiberglass stern drives.

Anyway, what are these motors like as far as reliability, maintenance and, most importantly, noise? The consensus I'm seeing online is that they are good motors with 20+ years worth of history and refinement behind them, but most will also add that they tend to be noisier than their slightly more modern 4 stroke versions.

So, how much noisier are they? As I get older I'm leaning more towards the relaxed boating experience, hence the sale of my last bow rider and the want for a comfy pon/tritoon and I don't want a loud clattering motor screaming away when we're out and about. I'll add that the used boat market in my area is HOTT!!! and a buyer must move fast if they want to get out on the water any time this season, so I'd like to have a little info before I go out and look at this thing.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,313
The Opti is quieter than a carbureted 2 stroke and louder than a Yami 4 stroke.

Opti are good motors but I’m done with $30 a gallon oil. When my current motors dies I’m going 4 stroke
 

Texasmark

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
14,778
The Opti is quieter than a carbureted 2 stroke and louder than a Yami 4 stroke.

Opti are good motors but I’m done with $30 a gallon oil. When my current motors dies I’m going 4 stroke
WOW. I though I might upgrade from carbs to injected but not for that price. Thanks for the tip!
 
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