Merc engines

[Mirage36]

http://www.boattest.com/flash_video_...ado_walkaround

[gottaflylee]

Flatt, here is my 2 cents on this. I have had 2,150 Optis both were bulletproof and 1 had over 2000 hours on it when I sold the boat. Only thing done on both other than "by the book maintenance", was "TIP"'so (throttle position sensor) Loved them both, so when I got the my new boat in 2001, a 225 Opti was on the back and the problems started. Long story short and 4 years later...4 factory power heads , 2 out of my pocket, I was having so many problems with the last power head and the computer that Mercury gave me an 2005 fully dressed power head (with NO warranty...found that the hard way when I tried to make a claim and had NO serial # for the motor ). This power head has been great with minor problems...thermostats and air pump @ 350 hours and $900.00 later ...I can't say anything bad about it. Oh ya...one more thing, OIL is $30 +a gallon and on a 150 mile trip that's $90 more on top of your gas bill which is $3.84 per gallon here... and they wonder why I have to charge what I do for a charter...

[jawz12]

Originally Posted by gottaflylee

Flatt, here is my 2 cents on this. I have had 2,150 Optis both were bulletproof and 1 had over 2000 hours on it when I sold the boat. Only thing done on both other than "by the book maintenance", was "TIP"'so (throttle position sensor) Loved them both, so when I got the my new boat in 2001, a 225 Opti was on the back and the problems started. Long story short and 4 years later...4 factory power heads , 2 out of my pocket, I was having so many problems with the last power head and the computer that Mercury gave me an 2005 fully dressed power head (with NO warranty...found that the hard way when I tried to make a claim and had NO serial # for the motor ). This power head has been great with minor problems...thermostats and air pump @ 350 hours and $900.00 later ...I can't say anything bad about it. Oh ya...one more thing, OIL is $30 +a gallon and on a 150 mile trip that's $90 more on top of your gas bill which is $3.84 per gallon here... and they wonder why I have to charge what I do for a charter...

the small block optimax engines were no problem when they first came out,the larger hp models had quite a few problems...
at this point in time,the optimax engines have been squared away...no problems !! these really are the bulletproof set up...
the verado engines,well...i guess the bugs are being worked out
it's unfortunate the way the market goes...4 stroke engines are being marketed really heavy,these are being pushed down everyone's throat...
these engines are not allways the best choice for power...think about this for a second...you purchase a rig with the verado engine,you have problems with it when it's under warranty...these problems are addressed,however,the warranty expires,and now you've got problems again...better get that check book out....
pumping an engine up by super charging it decreases the life of that engine...common sense...you're pushing that small block engine to it's limit,and you shorten it's life...
personally,i like the yamaha engines,the hpdi engines are among the most reliable trouble free engines ever made...the 200 is a work horse...the 250's get a bad rap...as long as the updates were performed,and performed correctly,these guys are bullet proof too...the 300 ??? well that's a different story....
if you're purchasing a rig to run offshore,you want reliability,and ease of upkeep...right ??? you also want good fuel economy...right ??? the new techonolgy being used on the old school 2 stroke design is definatley the way to go,in my opinion...these engines are super reliable,they deliever a huge amount of power and they're good on fuel...and the best part is,they won't kill you in upkeep....again,common sense....

[flatbottom]

Nice vid Rob
Thanks Lee
Thanks Jim

[jawz12]

took an overnite trip,left sunday...when we were running to the inlet,i seen 2 boats that were powered by merc verados...both boats were running on one engine,the other engine was tilited up....i've heard horror stories from guys i know about these engines...it was kinda funny,we seen the one boat,then a short time later we seen the other coming in the inlet...i feel bad for these guys....

[kitebuz]

If weight is a concern, go w/ Opti's. If not, Verados will retain better resale. You also get DTS w/ them, which is a big $ option w/ Optis (assuming you are talking about higher hp models).

Fuel burn on the optis is excellent. Fuel burn on the gen 1 Verados was decent at cruise rpm's, but higher than others in the upper rpm range. The gen II verados (ie Mary's 300's) have improved on the fuel burn issues.

If flat out speed is most important, I think the 300XS would be hard to beat, but have not seen #'s on same boat rigged w/ 300V's yet.

Over-all, the market sense on the V's seems to be these are proving pretty reliable. The Opt's rank among the tops for consumer satisfaction. Check out http://veradoclub.com/ for real world feedback - not the friend of a friend saw someone driving funny.

Hard to go wrong either way, but if I could handle the weight issue, I would go for Verados (esp. the 300). The 300XS Opti requires 93 octane, while the Verado recommends it, but people are not seeing much hp difference running 93 or 87 w/ them.

[flatbottom]

thanks kitebuz

Jim I was one of those guys 365 days ago. Eerie feeling when more alarms than a jewelry heist go off sensitive black biotches. i asked the captain to cut it loose so we could fish. He just looked at me like I was a flippin nut

[Shutterbug]

Not a technical minded person here so I've got to keep this short and simple.

Re-powered in 03 with twin 150 Optimax. Prior to 03 always had Yamaha. Hard, gut-wrenching decision for me at the time.

I've a great mechanic and have only had minimal problems to date.

Have a 24 Grady, so 4 strokes were too much weight.

No doubt they're louder than 4 strokes but I believe much more efficient. Typically trolling offshore on an approx. 120nm trip I'll burn 55 to 60 gallons.
Bay fishing, 1 tank empty, much less gear I'll get 2.7 nm per gallon. I'm tickled.

I use 87 octane. Not as efficient as Yamaha with oil consumption, but a trip offshore I'll use 1 gal to 1 1/2. Fortunately I've been able to purchase 55 gal. drums of oil. So my cost has been around $11 a gal. But, that may change. Tim

[trollman]

Originally Posted by GALAZIO

Mary

Which engines does (or did???) Admin John's boat have?

Reason why I ask (and I have Mercs), is it seems he has had a years worth of problems with things being addressed that doesn't seem to work.

Is there a difference in a first and second generation Verado (if he has Verados)? What is the biggest problem with the early Verados & at what point (year wise) did the gremlins get worked out the engine?

Just wondering...

Galazio has some good questions here, have you had a chance to think about a response, i am curious. thanks

[LuckyLady]

Originally Posted by trollman

Galazio has some good questions here, have you had a chance to think about a response, i am curious. thanks

Please do not take this the wrong way it is the best way I can answer it

Your a lawer and would love to help you make some money but this is not the case.

IMO Mercury marine has 100% taken care of their Verado's issues and deal with them on a case by case. I have witnessed it and helped with it. Not every Verado has a problem it is spaced apart pretty far.

If someone has an issue with their Verados please feel free to contact me and I will assist you with it and get you to the right people

I am a dealer and I can get sued over anything I say and I will not start a slander campaign against them. If it was a huge deal it would be all over this site and many others..

Some problems were started from when the boat was rigged at the factories and not Mercury. Not too many people can understand where the problem starts and ends and rather not get in to it.


When I say all this I am looking out for the consumers in getting help and not tarnishing their retail value for resale of their boat.

The rocketship was effected by both boat and engine verado issues