Need advice on which Mercury outboard to buy

[spiro]

I have a pair of 10 year old Mercury 250hp engines. They are on my 36ft spearfishing boat. I would like to change the engines and I am really confused to what is the best for me. My brother is pushing to get the 225 Optimax because he says they don't use too much fuel and that might be great since we sometimes go "oil rig hopping" almost 75 miles offshore and thus the extra range would be great. I am worried though that the 25hp per engine might be missed ... my boat already seems quite heavy and I am worried it will not be powerful enough. The local dealer is telling us that the 225hp pair is more than enough. Another problem is that the 250hp Optimax only gets a 2 year warranty while the 225hp has a 3 year warranty? Why is that?

There is also the 250hp Optimax but they are almost $7000 more for the pair ... is it worth it? The dealer also told us that the Mariner engines are exact copies of the Mercury ... is that true? I don't understand why Mercury would make 2 exact engines under different names.

I would greately appreciate anyone who is knowledgeable in Mercury engines to give me their advice for either the Mercury 225 hp Optimax or the 250 hp Optimax ... or the Mariner version of the same. My use would be for spearfishing in the oil rigs (almost 70 miles offshore) on a 36ft boat. I would like to be able to cruise at around 35 knots minimum. Thanks in advance.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Need advice on which Mercury outboard to buy

10 year olds, they're barely broken in!!!

Sounds like the 225s are a better deal, you will probably lose a little bit of top end, but I wouldn't think it would be much.

What are you doing with your "old" 250s?​

 

[spiro]

Re: Need advice on which Mercury outboard to buy

Thank you for the reply. I plan to trade in my old engines for the new ones. I too think the engines are fine but everyone seems to think that 10 year old engines are too risky to take way out where we go. I took them out the other day and they really were running perfect. But I already decided to change them it is only a matter of which engine. Today I also saw the 250 XS ... apparently they are racing engines. The 225's will not be available for another 6 weeks, but the 250 XS are available now. I did some research on the XS series and it seems they are designed for racing and thus might not be the best solution for me. I need rugged dependable engines with the least chance of something going wrong. Do you think the XS series 250's would work as good as the non XS series in the long run? Having them available X stock is kind off appealing since spearfishing season is only 2 weeks away. The local agent is telling me that the XS series are actually more rugged than the non XS series but I have a feeling he just wants to push the sale.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Need advice on which Mercury outboard to buy

imho, the more basic, the engine the more dependable. less little things to go wrong.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Need advice on which Mercury outboard to buy

Don't know a thing about it, but one difference in the XS may be the gear ratio which, may not be suited for your rig. Just a thought.
---------------
On racing engine per se: I know that racing parts are usually classified as "high performance" which translates to me as built to withstand more abuse.

Might want to look more into the XS to see if they're right for you. On the dealer's comments, I'd discount them and look at the data yourself.

Mark

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Need advice on which Mercury outboard to buy

Yes the XS is for racing, it is a sweet motor, and yes mark is correct as it has a racing gearbox with a different ratio, the main difference is that it has better engine mountings and high performance parts that can take the abuse as these motors are run WOT most of their lifetime ..... the only difference is that they are quite heavy on the fuel side .........

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Need advice on which Mercury outboard to buy

Yes the XS is for racing, it is a sweet motor, and yes mark is correct as it has a racing gearbox with a different ratio, the main difference is that it has better engine mountings and high performance parts that can take the abuse as these motors are run WOT most of their lifetime ..... the only difference is that they are quite heavy on the fuel side .........

Suprised you didn't push a couple of Yammies there Deejay !!!

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Need advice on which Mercury outboard to buy

imho, the more basic, the engine the more dependable. less little things to go wrong.

honestly , i was with you on that thinking myself.. untill i bought my new yamaha 200 hp HPDI fuel injection. i wont go back!

i still own my 1994 merc 2.5L carbed 200hp and its a beast of a dog compared to the yammy!

seriously, to answer the original question... either of those engines will be just fine. if you choose between just the mercs, its all based on your personal preference.

any reason why you have to stick with merc? why not yamaha 3.3L 250 hpdi or the evinrude E-tec 250hp? i do like your thinking for sticking with 2 strokes though!!!

 

[deejaycee_2000]

Re: Need advice on which Mercury outboard to buy

Suprised you didn't push a couple of Yammies there Deejay !!!

hahahahaha, you guys are getting to know me too well ... ..... I thought about it, yamaha is always my 1st choice ... but I have a XS and it is great, I love it, so just thought I'd share how I feel about the XS ... hehehe

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Need advice on which Mercury outboard to buy

Hey Dee, getting about time for you to put your Yammies up for the year isn't it or not?

I saw the picture of a HPDI (300 like yours as I recall) Yammie with the cowl off the other day and I can see why it's high in the back. Real nice layout of the "innerds".

Mark