I currently have a 150 Mercury Optimax on a 196 BR Key West.
Really like the boat & the motor.
How does it compare to the 150 4 stroke Yamaha?
How about the 200 HP models of each?
Thinking about upgrading boats.
Thanks for your response(s)…
would probably compare the opti to the HPDI if you want apples to apples. i personally like Opti’s, but like any direct injected 2 stroke, they will need the good oil($) and aren’t as quite as the 4 strokes. They tend to get get better fuel millage than the four stokes and are generally lighter. the four strokes are much quieter and smoother. I’ve seen Optis with over 3000 hours and 4 strokes with over 6000, if you take care of either one, they will last. Comparing the four strokes to each other, Merc advertises the lightest weight 150 and 200 4 stroke, i haven’t had enough experience with either one to make any comments on them, I’ve worked on a bunch of 150 Yamaha motors and other than fuel contamination issues, they are great motors. A bit heavy though. When it comes down to it, consider who’s going to be working on the engine, I can probably give you 15 names of guys i’d trust on a Yamaha, probably 6 on a Merc. I can recommend probably 7 or 8 dealers on a Yamaha, probably only two on a merc.But that deepends on where you are, in Florida and up North, there are just as many of not more merc dealers than Yamaha
Thanks for the response.
I am located in Florence County -
Most of my repair work is done by Marshall’s Marine in Lake City.
The opti is a fantastic engine. This area of the country is very biased towards Yamaha and a lot of people who have never owned a Merc will badmouth them. Kinda like Ford vs. Chevy. The opti is extremely popular with the bass croud inshore and up north. You didn’t state the year as some of the early engines (pre 01) had recalls that needed done. The newer optis have a great reputation and tend to make more prop hp than what the sticker says.
It is a little difficult to source parts on hand locally. You should run the merc Dfi oil, which is expensive but the opti does not use a lot like a carbed 2 stroke. I run the Pennzoil full synthetic and the Dfi seems to like it.
If I nuke my Evinrude, it will be replaced with an opti 250. The idle is quiet and uses very little fuel trolling.
Hydra-sports 22 bay
225 Rude
I have heard that the opti’s have more torque and power than the 4 stroke Yamaha. The 150 opti is a 6 cylinder motor versus 4 cylinder on the yamaha. I have been extremely happy with my 150 yamaha 4 stroke. Fuel consumption is amazing
Cliff
2006 pioneer 197 SF 150 4s
I have been on both sides of the fence… I use to have a yamaha and I liked it and was bias twards them. but have to say, I got a deal on a new boat and it had a mec verado on it… have to say I won’t go back… any motor will last as long as you take care of it. the bad bad thing about a yamaha is that they are VERY VERY proud of there parts $$, so after having both I am going to stick with a MERC…good or bad that’s my 2 cents
238 SeaPro w/225 Verado
Ive had both merc and yam had good and bad dealings with both. Last year after blowing 2 225 mercs I purchased a 250 E tec, greatest thing since sliced bread! Cant hear it idle,have to see tac.! I can talk on cell phone at 4000 rpms, over double mileage than mercs have over 200 hrs and not a problem yet! Came with 5yr warrenty! Want to replace my 115 yam on the wailer with a E tec 90 next year Dont want to start a war but this is my 2 cents worth!
Go to any dry storage marina in town and look around and see what the majority have chosen!
Carolina Boat Brokerage, LLC
“Your Local Connection to the Worldwide Used Boat Market!”
www.carolinaboatbrokerage.com or www.charlestonboatsales.com
My first 225 (2003)yammy from the start was a crap motor.It developed a hole a hole in the jacket( 6 plug). Warranty ran out 2 months before the blow out.I paid $2000 for the extra Warranty.I still say Yammy should have fixed the problem.New Yammy 225 runs well.No problems .Just had 300 check up.
Stonoman
quote:
Originally posted by stonomanMy first 225 (2003)yammy from the start was a crap motor.It developed a hole a hole in the jacket( 6 plug). Warranty ran out 2 months before the blow out.I paid $2000 for the extra Warranty.I still say Yammy should have fixed the problem.New Yammy 225 runs well.No problems .Just had 300 check up.
Stonoman
I still think that is total BS with the known corrosion issues Yamaha has with the 225’s. I hear about that a good bit now that they are getting some years on them.
Hydra-sports 22 bay
225 Rude
2003 Motors had the problem.At least that is what i heard.I repowered because my Wife went and told them to put a new motor on the rig.When i went to the shop it was already on.My nephew had a deal for me in Fla with a new Honda.If this one goes i will go with a Honda.I feel Yammy screwed me with a crap motor.Had nothing but problems with it.They sent a tech down and He said it was good .Motor blew a month later.Seels did a good job for me no problem ever with them.
Stonoman
I have 2400 hrs on my 2008 yamaha f250…
Have over 8000, (yes, that’s eight thousand!) on my 1990 115 Merc. and still fires right up first time and runs like a raped ape!
Russ B.
www.joinrfa.org
God is great, Beer is good, People are crazy
Only see one mention of an eTec, not sure why they’re not that popular around here. Awesome motor!
A lot of it as stated above is geographical. In the North West one sees a lot more Mercs then Yammys. Here it seems the opposite.
Russ B.
www.joinrfa.org
God is great, Beer is good, People are crazy
quote:
Originally posted by RussBA lot of it as stated above is geographical. In the North West one sees a lot more Mercs then Yammys. Here it seems the opposite.
Russ B.
www.joinrfa.org
God is great, Beer is good, People are crazyhttp://www.facebook.com/RussbMaritimeServices
I was told that in this area Yamaha Corp really pushed their way in. Something along the line that if you became a dealer for them they would give a very large inventory and deeply discounted motors. If you have noticed, everyone here is a Yamaha dealer. Most companies will not authorize so many dealers within X square miles. That is the way it is with cars, boats, vacuum cleaners, etc.
If this is true, it was a great move from corporate Yamaha. They are tight in this area. I agree also that the Etec is a well loved engine. I have no first hand experience but bombardier has a deep following in powersports.
Hydra-sports 22 bay
225 Rude