Optimax ,EFI or carbed for salt water

bigtrout · 10-25-2001, 06:10 AM

I am considering going with Optimax I know the are lemons in all motors any opinions out there?

Kerry · 10-25-2001, 06:20 AM

I have a friend with a 225hp optimax and it is great, NO SMOKE!! great gas milage!! 45mph in a heavy chop on a 25 foot boat. I woud say it is a very good motor.

Denali · 10-25-2001, 07:35 AM

Big Trout,

Take your pick. The problems with the OMC DFI motors are well documented (Ficht). As you know Bombadier bought them and has resolved their problems(we'll see). Optimax has gotten good reviews for the most part however they did stop producing the 200hp for a while this summer to correct a problem. I personally have a 200 Yamaha DFI that I've been happy with thus far. The motors (all mentioned above) use less fuel at mid and low range rpm levels and do not smoke like the carbed motors. I would rate the fuel savings as considerable on these engines. Fairly new technology however but I felt good about my purchase. The bigger four strokes will be available in the near future as well. Yamaha has the 225 four stroke on the market now. I would go with Yamaha or Merc if you choose this route, and I would base that on the best dealer (not price but service) in your area. Most of the problems with these new motors stem from improper set-up at time of installation. Make sure your dealer has certified mechs on staff.

boater · 10-25-2001, 09:12 PM

put a 2.5 horse power eska on it, it will be more reliable that the new era of smokeless 2006 epa certified 2 strokes that they want to run like 4 stroke engines, these motors are on the way out, why do you think they are developing big horse power 4 strokes.

plug cut · 10-26-2001, 10:55 AM

boater,

What is a 2.5 eska? Also the four strokes up the cost by $4,000. I am considering the Merc and the Yamaha for my 21' Wellcraft

boater · 10-26-2001, 03:24 PM

i should have kept out of this, sorry for the smart *** post above

boater · 10-26-2001, 03:28 PM

i should have kept out of this, sorry for the smart *** post above

DK · 10-26-2001, 11:25 PM

the eska if i remember correctly was sold by sears years ago i know that doesn't tell you what it is though,maybe not talking about the same thing?

[ 10-26-2001: Message edited by: DK ]

hoochie · 10-26-2001, 11:56 PM

Boater, you gotta be REALLY OLD to even remember an Eska!

I am and I do.

Whew, those things could put up a smoke-screen better than anything I saw in the Army in '69. Ran like the old African Queen.

Chugada, chugada, chugada------------