An outboard Question on Optimax???????

[Gina Marie]

I am think about purchasing a 26 outgrage Boston Whaler used. They are all coning with 200/225 Optimax outboards. Although I have no question on the boat my uncertainly is in the durablity of the outboards. Does anyone have any experiences or feedback on these engines the year we are looking at is 1999 through 2002. Thank you Gina Marie/Tom

 

[Genesis]

I dont' like Optis.... but that's me. YMMV - engine color in outboards is kinda like engine color with inboards!

 

[J's Dream]

I sold my Grady White in February, and it had on it a 225 Optimax. I had 200 hours on it, and two weeks after I sold it, the new owner called to tell me the motor was blown. Now, I don't know what happened in that two weeks...but I can tell you that with regular maintenance, and the OPTIMAX oil (which is not cheap), you should be OK. Be sure to take it to a reputable Merc dealer to have it checked out because without using only OPTIMAX OIL, it's toast.

 

[Boss Lady]

I have triple 250 Optimaxes on my Fountain. Two years and 600+ hours with no problems. These are electronic, direct injection engines. The computer has many built in self limiting settings that will automatically protect the engines from damage. They do require special oil. These engines are widely used by a very abusive group of boaters: King Mackerel Tournament Fishermen. I run mine hard and cruise at 50 Knots most of the time, I have run them wide open for a distance of more than 80 miles (5800 rpm). If there were problems with the Optimax like there are with the four stroke engines you would hear about it quickly. The tournament fishermen would drop Mercury like a hot potato. Matter of fact the verados are getting a bad name already. I would put my money on the new owner using the wrong injection oil, since it can be hard to find and is very expensive. I can only get the oil at select Mercury dealers, I have never seen it at a marina. More than likely he destroyed it with the wrong oil since the engine has so many self protection features, low oil pressure being one of them. But if he used an inferior oil the computer would not know the difference. Jury says, self inflicted.

 

[Hattenuff]

According to a friend, 1999 Optimaxes are to be avoided like the plague--- multiple problems that year. He just dumped his for a pair of Yamahas.

 

[Boss Lady]

Every manufacturer has problems, and warranty programs. How they service the customer is the most important. Here is a link that is very enlightening on Yamaha as an example.

http://www.epinions.com/content_64716770948

Another thing to remember is that an outboard engine can go bang in just a few seconds if the water pump impeller fails. I change mine every year, we call this "Preventative Maintenance", the preventative part is self explanitory. The ignorance factor runs high amoungst the outboard engine crowd. They treat outboard mechanics like rock stars around here. Since Billy Bob thinks anything under the "plastic cover thingy" requires a degree in VooDoo or something, they do not do PM, they just drive it til goes bang or won't crank. I have seen more lowers and outdrives on I/O run until the are ground up metal, because nobody changes the lube oil in them. Around here these guys keep SeaTow in business.

 

[she's all hatt]

I think Boston Whaler and Mercury Optimax engines suck and your son deserves a bayliner. Hi Tom, Al told me you posted the question yesterday so I'm screwing with you. I will see you Friday late afternoon, Jen is getting off from work at 2:00 and we are heading straight down.

PS. Buy a boat for your son and get it over with. Love, your second son