Attitude Posted November 8, 2004 Report Share Posted November 8, 2004 Hey guys I am shopping for a new boat for next year and really don't know what the difference between the Mercury Four Stroke EFI and the Optimax is. Could anyone shed some light on this? Also, Optimax has a fantastic reputation...anyone care to comment on there own personal experience w/Optimax??? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeeter Posted November 9, 2004 Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 The Optimax is a 2 stroke engine. It injects fuel by atomizing it at a greater pressure so that the fuel burns more efficiently. You will get more power and acceleration out of the optimax. Personally, unless you are going to run allot or really long distances I would just purchase a fuel injected or carburated engine. You can get the same hp and get the same punch that you get from the other two. It is allot cheaper also. A carburated engine is about 3500 bucks cheaper than the Optimax. The four stroke was really made because Ca. has such strict environmental rules. You have to either purchase a 4 stroke or an Optimax in the Merc line to have it legal in that state. Skeeter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basskat Posted November 9, 2004 Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 A four stroke engine is like your car. You don't have to mix oil with the gas. They are great on gas milage. Biggest drawback is their weight. Also most have a poor hole shot and top end speed is a little slower. They have improved over the past couple of years. Can't help you a lot on the OptiMax. (I'm an Evinrude man). My son has a 2004 Opti. It blew when it was 6 months old. He's had no problems since. Several of my buddies have them. Most are trouble free. If you've been around outboards you know that ANY of these engines can blow at any time. I've had just about every make and model made starting back in the 70's. Some of the first I owned are still running today. Some are junk. Hope you get a good one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Attitude Posted November 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 Thanks guys. I test drove a 115 Yamaha 4 stroke and literally fell in love w/4 strokes after that. We are looking at Tracker boats and the difference money-wise between the Merc 115 Opt and 4 stroke is like $2500 more for the 4 stroke. So basically if the Optimax performs anything like a 4 stroke (which I think it does...minus the oil mixing)...I'm all about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mylures Posted November 9, 2004 Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 Hi there, I don't own a Opti or the newer 4 stroke Merc but I would if I were younger and could afford it. The Merc engines are built about 15 miles from where I live. I know alot of guys who have them and really like them. Lake Winnebago is where I fish the most and thats mostly what you will see out there is Merc Motors. Fond Du Lac, Wi. is on the south end of the lake and where Merc's are built. I am sure they have a web site and if you need any info someone will help you out. If you can't find the info you need email me and I will have someone from the company get you what you need. Good luck. Ken Schmitz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Attitude Posted November 9, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 Thanks Ken. I checked out their website...it's good and informative, but you really have to be a gear head to actually understand what they say. There isn't a spot where they compare the 4 Stroke to the Optimax....which is pretty much what I'm looking for. Tracker has an incentive call "Power Up Savings" that allows you to upgrade your Merc for a discounted price. The Optimax happens to be $2500 cheaper than the 4 stroke. Until I saw the price difference, I was sold on the 4 stroke....but now, I'm just looking into Optimax cuz from what I read and hear....the only difference is 2 to 4 stroke...same response/emissions/quietness etc...unless someone knows different...?..?..?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richoc Posted November 9, 2004 Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 Strait poop...... You can only run opti oil....very costly.$24.00 retail. We burn a gallon a day during pre-fishing, 30 gals of gas. You will foul out plugs all the time, we put new ones in every tourney. They are special plugs, also costly. If you get water in to the compressor you will blow a piston. Electrical problems are very common. If some thing goes wrong it is mostly a power head replacement. The new ones are almost trouble free. They are fast. Loud growl at top end. You will spend the differance it the price of the 2 in less than two years of fishing. On plugs and oil. Ran 2002 opti, and 2004 opti. on now. Buddy is Ranger/Merc. prostaff. We run a Ranger 620 with 225 merc. opti. We have had no trouble other than fouled plugs. I have seen them blow right after launching as soon as they hit the gas. If you buy opti. buy extended warrenty. And talk with the Tech at your dealer ship and get there opions on the repair needs for them. Buy the way production on all carb. and EFI motors is now done. Opti, or 4strokers only. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubeman Posted November 9, 2004 Report Share Posted November 9, 2004 We have ran a 200 Opti for 2 years problem free. Its expensive on oil if you do a lot of running as Opti oil is what we use. Hint, work something out with your dealer...his company name on your boat/shirt for oil at cost, make things a bit cheaper. Hotshot and top end of an Opti are really nice and its a lighter engine (than a 4 stroke) as was said before. Fuel savings are in the 2/3's throttle range...if you drive full pin alot, you will not see any comparable savings. All engines in the 200 hp and up have their achiles heel, but the DFI's have come along way in 5 years. Good luck with your purchase and have fun ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skeeter Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 See, I told ya. Get an EFI or carburated engine. Much much cheaper. They still run like a scalded dog. I have a 115 carburated Yamaha. I have had no troubles in 4 1/2 yrs. I run Penzoil in mine. I run it on a 16' 8" Skeeter and it will run a consistant 58 mph with a full load. Skeeter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bladesandbaits Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 I'm with Skeeter.If I were just going to fish for fun and not the tournament trail,I vote EFI or Carburated no matter the make.I personally like Merc but thats the only brand I've ever run. Ran 225 Opti 2000,2001,2003,New 520 Camanchee pro team boat each year.had plug problems,burnt a cylinder at the big "0",Rod thru the power head lake St.Clair 2002,Just minor problems 2003. I know guys with Evenrude-Bobardier fihct / Yamaha Hpdi,that have had similar problems.It's just a matter of when or where. The problems with all these motors is they run lean oil to gas mix along with extremly high pressure injection.This is where your burnt cylinders/power head failure/and burnt plugs come from.The high pressure burns the gap out on the plugs.In 2003 I wised up.I started running about 2 quarts of oil in my tank along with full tank of gas (56 gal).Kind of like when you break in a new efi.Only had to deal with occasional burnt plugs. The fuel mileage was unbelievable with the Opti. The oil was as "high" as a set of Giraffes n?ts(you know the tall animal with a long neck) The headaches and up keep were alot Feed back from anglers (touring pro's)I know Evenrude is the fastest (unless run Opti racing engine like Roland) Yamaha Hpdi is good but after mid range no more power. I went back to 225 Merc efi 2004,can't go as far on fuel, oil is cheaper,runs like a striped ape,and most important,CRANKS FIRST TIME I TURN THE KEY every time,no matter what the weather is. Oh yeah,I carry one spare plug just in case. You can still get efi and carb motors,the mfg's cant produce any more after 2006 Blades Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lure--Prof Posted November 10, 2004 Report Share Posted November 10, 2004 I don't know anything about your motoring & fishing style, but if you do alot of idling or relatively slow running, and top speed is not your top priority, strongly consider the 4-stroke. If you're a 2-speeder (stop and wide-open) and want the most bang for the $$ I'd lean towards the carbed or EFI motors. If you plan on having it awhile and think the 4-stroke will make you happiest, by all means, buy the 4-stroke!!! Dean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Attitude Posted November 12, 2004 Author Report Share Posted November 12, 2004 Awesome! Thanks to everyone for their input. As previously stated, I was sold on a 4 stroker...but with the "savings" that were offered on the Optimax, I figured I needed a little input before taking the plunge! Just like everything in life..it sounds like you'll end up paying for it somewhere down the line (get it?, down the line?!?! ) We are definately thinking longer term with the boat and aren't planning on doing alot of balls out, throttle down running. We're going with the 4 stroke so that it lasts longer! Thanks....and any other comments are certainly welcomed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mylures Posted November 12, 2004 Report Share Posted November 12, 2004 There is some real truth to the Saying!!! Different Strokes for Different Folks. I would definitely go with the four stroke seeing they are getting away from 2 stroke for pollution reasons. Ken Schmitz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
