Which Mercury Engine to buy?

[Legend188]

My dad bought a new Legend Sport Fish 188 (18', 8"). We are looking to put a bigger motor on it...the motor of choice must be Mercury for the reasons, we like Mercury and our local marine is a Merury dealer, so plz dont tell me to go to a Yama or Honda...Anyhow we were looking at 115's to 150 HP's. We are considering the Fourstroke EFI, Two Stroke EFI, or the Optimax. We were told the Optimax is a great motor but should wait a year or two for Mercury to get the bugs out...We were alson told to get it now...we were looking at the 135 Optimax as ideal size. <br /><br />what do u think? have any of you owned any of these or currently do...any info is appreciated..thanx <br /><br />Dan

 

[orca]

Re: Which Mercury Engine to buy?

G'Day. The optimax motors have been on the market for some years now. Most of the bugs have long gone. Get the optimax, you wont be disappointed

 

[JB]

Re: Which Mercury Engine to buy?

Hmmm. <br /><br />I have talked to some Optimax owners who are not happy with them.<br /><br />I have not talked to a 4 stroke owner who is not thrilled to death with it. Just last week I took a ride with a guy with a 115EFI Yammy 4 stroke (same engine, different leg) on his Lund walleye boat. Very nice, quiet, clean engine. Lots of torque.<br /><br />I would go with the 4 stroke.<br /><br />Good luck.

 

[letsbarbq]

Re: Which Mercury Engine to buy?

i've just had the luck to ride in a 25 foot CC with a pair of optimax 130s. its off the boat now and has a single 225 4 stroke. definetly the 4 stroke. I'm not knocking the 130 optimax, its a great motor. Ask them for a test drive on one of their boats with a optimax and a 4 stroke. you'll love the 4 stroke. First time I can actually hear the VHF and radio and talk to my buddies without one of them saying ...."huh?"

 

[sfels]

Re: Which Mercury Engine to buy?

The Optimax is a GREAT motor, but it also carries a hefty price premium over the EFI model and it woulod take many years to recover the fuel savings. Also, depending on the age of your boat, you may have to reinstrument it to accomodate the Optimax. Next issue is with 4 strokes. Mercury doesn't make anything larger than a 135, si if you have your heart set on a 150, you're out of luck.

 

[what200]

Re: Which Mercury Engine to buy?

The Xr6 classic gives a lot bang for the buck and is a proven reliable motor.