Opti 150 Consumption

[pettal]

Hi,

I too would be very interested in what sort of fuel consumption you can get out of an Optimax.

I've got my 200hp appearing in the next few weeks so would be pleased if I can gauge a rough idea of what to expect and at what revs.

I have a sneaking suspicion I'll be going at full sshpeed once the engine is run in!!

[brucehawsker]

Don't take my word for it, but Fairweather told me there was no problem going full throttle from day 1 - simply don't stay at one rev point for long - make sure you are using the whole rev range. That is what I did, and she seems sweet as can be....

[pettal]

Yeah I'd heard that, but assumed the engine management chip would stop me from going to max rev's during the bedding in period!?

Also with the Optimax you have the management console'y things that should tell you what revs and for how long!? Again I'm at a bit of a loss as I've only ever owned either second hand outboards or diesel inboards!?!?!

Does anyone know what the full run in is for an optimax??
Is it me or is Mercury Marine website very bad and very un-helpful??

[swginn]

Here you go!!

First hour
• Allow engine to warm-up for 30-60 seconds.
• Avoid continuous operation at idle speed for more then ten minutes.
• Run the engine the majority of time between 3000 and 4500 RPM
approximately three quarter throttle.
• Vary engine speed; change engine speed approximately every 2 minutes.
• Avoid trimming the outboard out (up) beyond a vertical trim position during
operation.
• Short bursts of full throttle for periods up to 10 seconds are acceptable.
Next three hours
• Change engine speed every 10 minutes.

The engine automaticity receives extra oil during the first hours of operation. For most boaters this extra oil mode will be complete in about ten hours.

Hate to tell you this Bruce but Fairweather were wrong, you can give her ten second bursts at full throttle and thats about it only for the first hour. If you blow your engine they can check if this was adhered to by connecting to the CPU. It may void your warranty, but if Fairweather are servicing, it shouldn't be a problem I guess.

The smartcraft will tell you when the break-in procedure is over for the first hr but you must still vary revs every ten mins (not hard when driving a RIB!!) for the next three hrs. Oh and it won't limit the revs, you gotta do that part yourself. They like to be driven hard though as you will find, just keep varying the revs as Bruce said.

[brucehawsker]

Again, don't take my word for it, but on the first outing, outside Portsmouth, Kev ran her at WOT to see what she would do for quite a bit more than 10secs. The world did not cave in..... But Mercury are being cautious and there may be warranty issues, I accept.

[pettal]

Thanks again Swginn!

To the rescue as per usual!

I've got a full day before we do the channel crossing so I can get most of this done during that day. Might cost me a bit in fuel but if I can get it run in pretty much before the crossing I'd feel much happier.

Also means that should the worst happen (Unlikely.....but not unheard of with a new engine) I'll be in the Solent and not half way across the channel!

[swginn]

Pettal, no problem!! Happy to help. Also if you want to get to know your new engine before you pick it up you can download the user manuals here:

Opti 200/225 User Manual

Opti 135/150/175 User Manual

Smartcraft

I reccommend giving the Smartcraft one a quick read anyway so you know what does what, and can get your consumption figures/ range which will be important for your trip.

Every manual and installation drawings are available in the download centre at marinepower.com here:

marinepower download centre

I wanna see plenty of pics of her by the way!!

Good Luck

[pettal]

Cheers for that!

It'll give me something to do this afternoon when I should be working!!

Don't worry as soon as "New Toy" (as it's now commonly reffered to) gets back to Guernsey the camera will be out and happy snappy!!!

There would have been pictures of the big day, but the Mrs lent her waterproof camera to a friend...dopey bint...and my Fuji S2 Pro ain't going anywhere near the water.

I was hoping that when LL told me the boat would be with him this week for fit out he'd meant early week rather then possibly this week, probably next.

So looking doubtful for next week now which is a shame (unless Barnet can pull off an amazing transformation in 2-4 days ) as the weather seems to be clear for most of next week and then turning to complete and utter poo!!

[simmons0]

Originally Posted by brucehawsker

Again, don't take my word for it, but on the first outing, outside Portsmouth, Kev ran her at WOT to see what she would do for quite a bit more than 10secs. The world did not cave in..... But Mercury are being cautious and there may be warranty issues, I accept.

He did that to my brand new un-run in diesel too!

[Wayne Rogers]

Hi Pettal
I love the Optimax 225,only got 23 hrs on mine it had about 10hrs when I got it,it's got plenty of grunt in the 35-50mph range and go's on to it's maximum speed of --mph without any problems.I'm not going to say what the top speed is because some people get the hump and start telling me what my predicted speeds are when they havn't even seen it or been on it.

[ADS]

Originally Posted by Wayne Rogers

Hi Pettal
I I'm not going to say what the top speed is because some people get the hump and start telling me what my predicted speeds are when they havn't even seen it or been on it.

I would'nt worry about that Manos is'nt online at the moment

I reckon at a guess just over 60MPH, but like you say I have'nt seen it (except the pictures) and I don't want to get into prop conversations but a 6.9 with a 225 opti is going to be 'king quick, especially considering the Solent is a fast hull.

[Louise]

I reckon, on a flat calm day, trimmed right out, you'll get 65mph (56.5knots).

[ADS]

I reckon whoever gets closest should be able to take it for a spin

[Rogue Wave]

I've been running opti 150's for about three years now and I've always been surprised at how fuel efficient they are, and I do have a lead wrist! Nearly always under the litre per mile on a 6.5 Scorpion If I just cruise at thirty knots then it gets a lot cheaper.

We also Run a 225 on a 7.3 Gemini (thi sis a very heavy boat) and it maxes out at a touch under fifty knots and is sucking up 78 lph. This is on a par with Whiteshooz boat which is a Ribtec 7.5 with a Yammie 225 Fourstroke (Nice engine, by the way) and he pulls about the same at 47 - 50 knots

It is my understanding that you can overrev em as the ecu doesn't limit revs
Pettal are you having any Navman electronics on your boat. cos they do a very lovely interface to the Smart guages ( which are wicked!)

[simmons0]

Originally Posted by Louise

I reckon, on a flat calm day, trimmed right out, you'll get 65mph (56.5knots).

It hit over 70mph GPS speed on its speed trials

[Wayne Rogers]

I will willingly take the person who guesses correctly for a spin,and any who doubts it!.Peter,Steve,and anybody else who has had the pleasure are exempt.

[simmons0]

74mph

[Louise]

OK, I'll come clean... the 65mph guess was Richard's!

My guess is 73mph.

[Wayne Rogers]

Nearly

[Louise]

74mph.