Optimax owners

C

chart

Junior Member
Looking to buy an optimax xs either 250 or 225. Ridgerunner or any one else running the optimax are you happy with them? would you buy the same HP or go higher or lower in HP?
 
Not an owner, but know a couple of friends with them. Are u buying new or used. I know the early ones had issues, and the compressors were problems. Latter ones were better. They get great fuel mileage, also heard only run merc opti oil.
 
I believe the problem ones were the ones built prior to 03. The merc dfi opti oil is good, but many swear by the pennsoil premium plus xlf oil in them. They get good milage and plenty of power. D3pending on what you're doing though, the 225/250 or xs may be too much engine. I know they had issues with carbon build up from lugging, and if you plan on running offshore, you will probably rarely ever open it up, and if anything lug it cruising at slow speeds riding the waves. If running offshore, I would stick to 200hp or less. The 2.5l opti would be my pick for an all around fishing/offshore combo, but if speed is your thing, then the 225 or bigger would be enticing. I know I've ridden in ridge's boat with a 250 xs, and it's a hoss, but he doesn't take it offshore either.
 
150 pro xs

I have a 1979 V20 cuddy with a 2016 150 pro xs and love the power. Boat handles great and the motor has plenty of power. Im running 48mph to the dash and crusining at 35mph, still needs some prop work. The opti and pro xs are both great motors.
 
I agree about what Ferm said about spinning up a lower hp engine is better. When I had my 225 with a 19 pitch prop it always seemed like the sweet spot was too fast for a lot of conditions,especially offshore.

It was fun to haul *** though when conditions were right.
 
Louisianav20 said:
I have a 1979 V20 cuddy with a 2016 150 pro xs and love the power. Boat handles great and the motor has plenty of power. Im running 48mph to the dash and crusining at 35mph, still needs some prop work. The opti and pro xs are both great motors.
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48 mph with 150 is the fastest anyone's reported to date.....that's getting a lot out of 150 hp outboard. What's the sticker weight listed on the boat ?
 
bgreene said:
48 mph with 150 is the fastest anyone's reported to date.....that's getting a lot out of 150 hp outboard. What's the sticker weight listed on the boat ?
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If that's a pneumatic speedo instead of a GPS, those things are notoriously inaccurate, so he could be showing 48 and only doing 40... or showing 35 and actually doing 40. If it's a GPS number than that's hauling for sure.
 
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Destroyer said:
If that's a pneumatic speedo instead of a GPS, those things are notoriously inaccurate, so he could be showing 48 and only doing 40... of showing 35 and actually doing 40. If it's a GPS number than that's hauling for sure.
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Those are gps numbers. I even had another boat with gps run with me to see if mine was wrong and we were both on the money
 
bgreene said:
48 mph with 150 is the fastest anyone's reported to date.....that's getting a lot out of 150 hp outboard. What's the sticker weight listed on the boat ?
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Im not sure on the sticker weight, im offshore right now. When i het back in ill look at it and see.
 
Better than most on fuel mileage, hauls the folks around great. The 250 is heavy, but so are the four strokes. Mercury motors all run strong top end IMPO. Too much prop in big seas is a no-no with any motor. I don't venture offshore much. Not much over 30 miles out when I do go and not if the weather isn't going my way. Hurts my back.. LOL! Maybe a 175 Opti with the 2.5L powerhead would be better suited for the boat, but I like the power and the boat handles it, so why change..
 
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