200hp mercury optimax vs evnrude e-tec

marios · 27 June 2005, 19:34

thinking to buy a 200hp engine
what do you prefer ? mercury optimax vs evnrude e-tec ... price is the same here

The Jackeens · 27 June 2005, 19:59

Very happy so far with the E-Tec if it's any help Marios!

Us

Matt · 27 June 2005, 20:09

Purely a personal view - I think the greater simplicity of the etec design lends itself to better long term durability & reliability - but none are old enough yet to test that.

The Jackeens · 27 June 2005, 20:14

We're getting there !

70 hrs and counting (the cost

)

Us

Matt · 27 June 2005, 20:23

Get back to us when you've done 700!

The Jackeens · 27 June 2005, 20:25

Hopefully we'll still be smiling!!!

Us

Wayne Rogers · 27 June 2005, 20:36

Very pleased with my Optimax 225,getting better fuel return than a Ficht 150.I was thinking about getting a Etec myself earlier in the year but decided to stick with the Optimax as I felt the Etec 225 hadn't been about long enough to prove itself.

Seaharrier · 28 June 2005, 12:34

A guy on an American fishing forum has 2 E-Tec’s 250HP on his boat with over 1000 hours. He had no problems yet.

I'll try to find that forum back.

Paul

danny · 28 June 2005, 13:39

Remind that Optimaxes are avilable with DTS and Smartcraft system.
DTS stands for Digital Throtlle and Shift. It's a servo system. Together with the smartcraft it will give you lots of extra comfort like fuel conspumtion rate and digital cruise controll. :

No more gear grinding

No more weared out cables

RibRoy · 28 June 2005, 15:36

Had a 200 opti for almost 200 hours. Low on fuel on cruise speed( 32 ltr/hours in 37 knots, empty Narwhal 700 )very high on full trottle. Also very noisy esp on low rews. Ecu gave fake warnings so it was replaced after 15 hours. The kompressor ( ? ) on the fuelsystem broke at 120 hours. Very expensive, but mine was covered by warranty.
Used a fortune on special optimax 2stroke oil. (Had to use that type under warranty, Most people use std TC-W3 oil after warranty, much cheaper)
Very happy with the smartcraft system.

This season I have a 250 Suzuki. Never 2 stroke again for me.

Regards

Roy

gavin · 28 June 2005, 20:38

Dont be fooled by TCW3, Etec requires xd, or ficht oil anyway, opti oil is fully synthetic, and its whats recomended, the Xd oil for instance has carb X additive to reduce carbon build up, you are also supposed to do periodic decarbs, with the Rudes, dont know about the Optis, for a couple of extra quid, and when you look at the price of the engine , use the right oil.Optis are noiser, obviously the belt driven Alternator and Compressor add to this, still sound good though, had a pair of Fichts over 1024 hours on em, with one replaced voltage regulator and two lower pump kits, anodes plugs filters etc.
Opti has only 70 hrs on it so its hard to say, but we are running Opti oil

danny · 29 June 2005, 04:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by gavin

Dont be fooled by TCW3, Etec requires xd, or ficht oil anyway, opti oil is fully synthetic, and its whats recomended, the Xd oil for instance has carb X additive to reduce carbon build up, you are also supposed to do periodic decarbs, with the Rudes, dont know about the Optis, for a couple of extra quid, and when you look at the price of the engine , use the right oil.Optis are noiser, obviously the belt driven Alternator and Compressor add to this, still sound good though, had a pair of Fichts over 1024 hours on em, with one replaced voltage regulator and two lower pump kits, anodes plugs filters etc.
Opti has only 70 hrs on it so its hard to say, but we are running Opti oil

Glad that there's someone who is also glad with his 225 Opti.

Cookee · 29 June 2005, 12:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by danny

Glad that there's someone who is also glad with his 225 Opti.

We've got one on our demonstrator, and we added the SC5000 instrument (the one that comes with the Verados) and it is great, with no problems so far!

Matt · 29 June 2005, 12:09

What was the problem at Ramsgate?

danny · 29 June 2005, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMat

What was the problem at Ramsgate?

What problem ?

Cookee · 29 June 2005, 12:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMat

What was the problem at Ramsgate?

Well you can't be talking to me either - we lapped the whole field except the other BananaShark in the race and a 9m diesel Pascoe!

Matt · 29 June 2005, 12:56

Since when has the raceboat had an opti?
I'm talking about the "PleasureShark"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

Well you can't be talking to me either - we lapped the whole field except the other BananaShark in the race and a 9m diesel Pascoe!

Cookee · 29 June 2005, 13:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMat

Since when has the raceboat had an opti?
I'm talking about the "PleasureShark"

Wasn't aware of any problems with that either - it was bobbing about all day on rescue duty just off the harbour .............. they even had time for a "we are not worthy" type bow when we came past one time - Graham and I were in hysterics in the boat!

Matt · 29 June 2005, 13:05

It appeared to be exhibiting characteristics similiar to a flat battery - except the gauge was reading 12 volts. I only took note cos we'd just suffered the same thing - kitten thought it might have had a bad earth?

Cookee · 29 June 2005, 13:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMat

It appeared to be exhibiting characteristics similiar to a flat battery - except the gauge was reading 12 volts. I only took note cos we'd just suffered the same thing - kitten thought it might have had a bad earth?

Sorry you're absolutely correct, I'd forgotten about that - it was a fitting error - no grease on the battery terminals and it was a bad earth - our fault and nothing to do with the engine!